Tudor Place | Northwest Washington

Tudor Place is a distinguished historic estate and museum located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., embodying early American history, architecture, and cultural legacy. It offers an intimate look at the life and times of one of the nation’s founding families, the Peters, who were directly connected to Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington.

Location and Setting

Tudor Place is situated at 1644 31st Street NW, in the heart of Georgetown, one of Washington, D.C.’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods.

The estate covers approximately 5.5 acres, including formal gardens, landscaped grounds, and a grand mansion.

Its location near the Potomac River provides a serene and picturesque setting, blending natural beauty with historic architecture.

Historical Background

The estate was purchased in 1805 by Martha Parke Custis Peter and her husband Thomas Peter, who were Martha Washington’s granddaughter and her husband, respectively.

The mansion was designed by Dr. William Thornton, the architect of the United States Capitol, and construction was completed in 1816.

Tudor Place served as the family home for six generations of the Peters, remaining in their possession until it was deeded to a private foundation in 1983 to ensure its preservation and public accessibility.

The estate contains many original furnishings and objects inherited from Martha Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, making it an invaluable repository of early American history.

Architectural Features

The mansion is a superb example of Federal-style architecture with notable Palladian influences.

It features a five-part plan: a central block flanked by symmetrical wings connected by hyphens, which was an elegant and fashionable design of the early 19th century.

The house includes a domed portico entrance, marble floors, finely crafted woodwork, and delicate plaster details.

Its interior spaces reflect refined taste with period-appropriate furnishings, many of which belonged to the original family, including portraits, silverware, textiles, and furniture.

The estate’s architecture exemplifies the early republic’s aspirations for dignity, harmony, and order.

Collections and Museum

Tudor Place’s collection comprises over 18,000 artifacts, including:

Fine art and portraits linked to the Washington family and their associates.

Decorative arts such as ceramics, silver, and textiles, reflecting the domestic life of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Family archives with letters, documents, and personal effects that illuminate the social and political history of the era.

The museum offers curated tours that explore themes like family life, slavery and emancipation, and the evolution of American society.

It holds one of the largest collections of Washington family heirlooms outside Mount Vernon, providing rare insights into the personal lives behind the nation’s founding.

Gardens and Grounds

The estate’s gardens span both formal European-style layouts and more naturalistic landscapes.

The North Garden features geometric designs with boxwood hedges, flower beds, fountains, and terraces, carefully maintained to evoke early 19th-century aesthetics.

The South Lawn offers a pastoral scene with open grassy areas, mature trees, and specimen plants that create a peaceful atmosphere.

Visitors can enjoy seasonal blooms such as roses, magnolias, azaleas, and heirloom flowers, including unique varieties like Florentine tulips and forget-me-nots.

The gardens serve both aesthetic and educational purposes, illustrating historic landscape design and horticultural practices.

Cultural and Social History

Tudor Place is deeply tied to the complex history of slavery and freedom in early America, as the Peter family owned enslaved people who lived and worked on the estate.

The museum addresses these histories openly, offering tours and exhibits that discuss the lives and legacies of the enslaved and free African Americans connected to the estate.

It also explores the evolving role of women in the family and society, especially through the stories of Martha Peter and her descendants.

The estate reflects the broader social, political, and economic currents of Washington, D.C., from the early republic through the 20th century.

Public Access and Educational Programs

Tudor Place is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday, with tours of the historic house available by reservation.

Garden visits are generally self-guided, allowing visitors to explore the grounds at leisure.

The estate offers a variety of educational programs, lectures, concerts, and special events throughout the year to engage diverse audiences.

Guided tours, such as “Tangled Roots: Families of Tudor Place,” delve into the interconnected histories of the Peter family and the African American families tied to the estate.

The museum actively supports scholarship and preservation, contributing to broader understanding of American history and heritage.

Summary

Tudor Place stands as a remarkable testament to early American architecture, history, and culture, uniquely preserving the legacy of the Washington family’s descendants. Its Federal-style mansion, extensive collections, and meticulously maintained gardens provide a multifaceted experience that blends art, nature, and history. Through its public programs and exhibitions, Tudor Place fosters a deeper understanding of the nation’s formative years, the complexities of family and society, and the enduring impact of its founding figures. It remains a vital cultural institution and treasured historic landmark within the heart of Georgetown.