Press Release 

February 6, 2025                                                                         

 

Washington, DC – Tudor Place Historic House & Garden is excited to announce its reopening to the public this week, following a month-long hiatus for essential maintenance and cleaning. As the only historic house in the District with direct ties to George and Martha Washington, Tudor Place offers a unique glimpse into America’s founding era, housing the largest collection of Washington-related objects outside of Mount Vernon.

This season, visitors will be able to witness a significant moment in history with the return of a treasured artifact: the original Revolutionary War-era camp stool, a rare piece of history that was recently part of the exhibition Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent at the Museum of the American Revolution. The stool was one of eighteen made for Washington’s encampment and is only one of two, known to have survived. The second stool is housed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Now back in its rightful place at Tudor Place, the camp stool is on display in the parlor of the historic house, offering visitors a chance to see a tangible connection to the nation’s Revolutionary past. This rare artifact’s return is a remarkable moment for both history enthusiasts and the public alike, reaffirming Tudor Place’s vital role in preserving and sharing America’s rich heritage.

In addition to this exciting return, Tudor Place is debuting a new guided tour titled Tangled Roots: Families of Tudor Place. This tour builds upon the success of last year’s innovative installation and tour, Ancestral Spaces: People of African Descent at Tudor Place and explores the lives and legacies of the multi-generational Black and white families who shaped this iconic Georgetown estate. The tour aims to spark conversations around race, social justice and historical accountability.

Tangled Roots is part of an expanding series of public programs that includes a six-part lecture series, Rooted in History, as well as special exhibitions in the spring and fall. Tudor Place is proud to offer a variety of ongoing educational experiences for families and children.

The return of the camp stool and the introduction of Tangled Roots signal Tudor Place’s continued commitment to preserving and sharing America’s complex history, while fostering important dialogue around race and identity. We invite visitors to step back in time, engage with the past and consider how history shapes our lives today.

For the full calendar of events and programs, go to tudorplace.org/calendar.

 

ABOUT TUDOR PLACE:  Tudor Place preserves the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington, and the enslaved and free people who lived and labored here for two centuries. By examining their legacy, we challenge ourselves and our visitors to celebrate the triumphs and to confront the complexities of the past. Open Tuesday – Sunday for guided tours of the historic house and self-guided garden visits. www.tudorplace.org.

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Contact

Janet Wall

Director of Development & Communications

press@tudorplace.org | 202-580-7323

Press Release 

January 7, 2025

 

WASHINGTON, DC – To mark the Washington Winter Show’s seventieth anniversary, the 2025 loan exhibition draws from the collections of seven of the most important historic houses in the nation. Preservation Pioneers will focus on the history of the individual houses and how the institutions that have saved and preserved them have had a lasting impact on the fields of collecting and historic preservation. These houses represent a sweep of more than two centuries of American history. They include: Anderson House; Gunston Hall; Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens; George Washington’s Mount Vernon; Stratford Hall; Tudor Place Historic House & Garden and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Each house has a unique preservation story—beginning with the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association’s pioneering work in the 1850s—but collectively these historic institutions offer insights and inspiration to private collectors, curators, designers and preservationists who seek to preserve the future of our past.

A selection of items from the Tudor Place Collection & Archive illustrates the methods the Peter family used to document their family heirlooms throughout two centuries of residence. Each object comes with a note written by one of the members of the family identifying the object’s significance. Tudor Place was previously featured in the 2010 Washington Winter Show exhibition, Tudor Place: Six Generations of Style.

One of the items included in the exhibition is a Sèvres teacup and saucer from a service originally owned by George Washington, whose step-granddaughter, Martha Peter, was the first owner of Tudor Place. Tudor Place was the home of six descendants of Martha Washington and has the largest collection of Washington objects outside of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The teacup and saucer have a handwritten paper label written by Armistead Peter Jr., Martha’s grandson and the third owner of Tudor Place, demonstrating Martha’s descendants’ dedication to preserving their family’s legacy. Tudor Place became a National Historic Landmark in 1960 due to the efforts of its final owner, Armistead Peter 3rd, and opened to the public in October 1988.

These items will be on display at the Washington Winter Show, beginning with preview night on Thursday, January 9 and continuing through January 12 at the Katzen Arts Center at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20016. Purchase tickets here: https://www.washingtonwintershow.org/purchase-tickets

ABOUT TUDOR PLACE HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDEN: Tudor Place preserves the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington, and the enslaved and free people who lived and labored here. By examining their legacy, we challenge ourselves and our visitors to celebrate the triumphs and to confront the complexities of the past. Open Tuesday – Sunday for guided tours of the historic house and self-guided garden visits. For more information, please visit www.tudorplace.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.

ABOUT WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW: The Washington Winter Show, The Washington Antiques Show, was founded in 1954-55, is the second oldest charitable antiques show in the United States. Steeped in history and hosted within the modern walls of American University’s Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC, the Winter Show features more dealers from across the United States and Europe, offering a broad range of exquisite antiques and fine arts. The Show raises funds for local charities benefitting at-risk children and families through services provided by Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, Building Bridges Across the River and St. John’s Community Services. For more information please visit: https://www.washingtonwintershow.org/.

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Contact

Janet Wall

Director of Development & Communications

press@tudorplace.org | 202-580-7323

Press Release 

October 15, 2024

 

WASHINGTON, DC – The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) awarded Tudor Place with the Making an Impact Award on October 9 during the Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting at the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Accepting the award on behalf of the organization was Curator Rob DeHart and Development Manager Jessica Zaluzec. This award honors museums and institutions for developing either a program, exhibition or special project that displays responsiveness and resourcefulness and has resulted in creative change for their organizations and a positive impact on their communities.

The award highlights Tudor Place’s special installation and guided tour Ancestral Spaces: People of African Descent in Tudor Place that was launched in February. The traditional historic house tour was re-imagined, allowing visitors the chance to see the site through the eyes of the enslaved and free individuals for whom the historic house was both home and workplace. The tour makes use of audio recordings, maps, artifacts and photographs to reveal how these individuals found ways to practice resistance and activism while navigating the irreparable traumas that came from the institution of slavery. Curated in collaboration with descendants, this tour has successfully expanded and diversified the museum’s visitor community, bringing in visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience the history being explored and to participate in dialogue around race and social justice. Reservations for Ancestral Spaces recommended, but not required at: https://tudorplace.org/visit/plan-your-visit-2/.

ABOUT TUDOR PLACE: Tudor Place preserves the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington, and the enslaved and free people who lived and worked here. By examining their legacy, we challenge ourselves and our visitors to celebrate the triumphs and to confront the complexities of the past. Open Tuesday – Sunday for guided tours of the historic house and self-guided garden visits. For more information, please visit www.tudorplace.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.

ABOUT MAAM: The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) is a not-for-profit membership organization, founded in 1947. MAAM represents museum professionals, organizations, institutions and museum service providers, providing a forum to enhance the image of museums and educate individuals on an array of field specific study and programs in the area of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. MAAM is recognized as a regional association by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). For additional information, please visit: https://midatlanticmuseums.org/

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Contact

Janet Wall

Director of Development & Communications

press@tudorplace.org | 202-580-7323

Press Release 

September 17, 2024

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Tudor Place Historic House & Garden launches a new, digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Onsite, the free app turns our visitors’ mobile phone into a touchless experience and a centralized place for access to unique content and essential information. Offsite, Bloomberg Connects allows users to experience and explore Tudor Place from anywhere, anytime. Tudor Place joins hundreds of international museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens and cultural spaces on Bloomberg Connects, with the launch of an audio landscape history tour.

“Tudor Place is excited to work with Bloomberg Connects to create new tools for discovering and exploring our site,” says Tudor Place Executive Director Mark Hudson. “The audio guide for the garden is the first of many collaborative projects we foresee.”

With Bloomberg Connects, Tudor Place becomes accessible for onsite or offsite visits through photo, audio and video features, offering insights into the 5 ½ acre estate. Bloomberg Connects offers free digital guides to cultural organizations around the world. The app platform is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ longstanding commitment to supporting digital innovation in the arts. Bloomberg Connects makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices when visiting in person, or from anywhere. With dynamic content exclusive to each partner organization, the app provides a range of features including video, audio and text; expert commentary; and way-finding maps.

The Bloomberg Connects app, available for download from Google Play or the App Store.

ABOUT TUDOR PLACE:  Tudor Place preserves the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington, and the enslaved and free people who lived and worked here. By examining their legacy, we challenge ourselves and our visitors to celebrate the triumphs and to confront the complexities of the past. Open Tuesday – Sunday for guided tours of the historic house and self-guided garden visits. For more information, please visit www.tudorplace.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.

ABOUT BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES: Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in cities and countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org.

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Contact

Janet Wall

Director of Development & Communications

press@tudorplace.org | 202-580-7323