What is Woodley Mansion known for?

Woodley Mansion is a Federal-style hilltop house in Washington, D.C., constructed in 1801. It is significant for having served as the home of Grover Cleveland, Martin Van Buren, and Henry L. Stimson, and it gave its name to Woodley Road and the Woodley Park neighborhood.

Who currently owns or uses Woodley Mansion?

The mansion is now the home of the private Maret School, which acquired the property in 1950 and moved to the campus in 1952.

Can the public visit Woodley Mansion?

While the mansion is part of a private school campus, the public is invited to attend community-wide events such as the annual Fête Champêtre, various arts and performing arts events, and the Saturday Farmers' Market.

Where is Woodley Mansion located?

The mansion is located at 3000 Cathedral Avenue NW in the Woodley Park neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Woodley Mansion in Washington, D.C.

Q: What does the architecture of the mansion look like?

It is a stately Federal-style mansion with a red roof, white columns, and a five-part composition featuring a main block of two and three stories. It also includes a projecting entrance bay with a portico and balustraded dock.

What to know

Woodley Mansion is a distinguished Federal-style hilltop residence constructed in 1801 by Philip Barton Key. The land it sits upon was once part of a 795-acre tract owned by Scottish immigrant Colonel Ninian Beall. Architecturally, the house is a five-part composition featuring a main block of two and three stories, a projecting entrance bay with a portico, and a balustraded dock. It is further described as a stately two-story mansion characterized by a red roof and white columns. Throughout its history, the house has hosted an array of prominent figures. It served as the home to former U.S. Presidents Grover Cleveland and Martin Van Buren, as well as Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of State and Secretary of War. General George S. Patton also rented the property in 1928. In 1938, Henry Stimson donated the mansion to his alma mater, Phillips Academy Andover, though he and his wife continued to reside there until the property was sold to the private Maret School in 1950. Since 1952, the Maret School has occupied the campus at 3000 Cathedral Avenue NW. The school acts as stewards of the historic property, integrating it into their educational environment. The campus now hosts various community-wide events, including the annual Fête Champêtre and a Saturday Farmers' Market, allowing the public to experience the grounds of this historic landmark. This residence gave its name to the surrounding neighborhood of Woodley Park, which was historically a summer retreat for Washingtonians seeking to escape the summer heat of the city during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitor tips

Visit during a Saturday Farmers' Market to experience the campus grounds more openly.
Be mindful that this is a private school campus; stay on public sidewalks when not attending a scheduled event.
Look for the red roof and white columns that define the mansion's silhouette against the hilltop.

Nearby context

Located in the leafy, green Woodley Park neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C., the mansion is situated on Cathedral Avenue NW. The surrounding area is known for its historic hotels and proximity to Rock Creek Park and the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Quick facts