Press Release: Tudor Place Reopens: The Camp Stool Is Back!

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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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Snowy picture of historic house from south side - Temple Portico included

 

Contact

Janet Wall

Director of Development & Communications

press@tudorplace.org | 202-580-7323