Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A New Chapter for Woodley Mansion
Built in 1801, the Woodley Mansion was once a Federal-style hilltop retreat for some of the most powerful men in America, including Grover Cleveland and Martin Van Buren. For over…
Read the story
Built in 1801, the Woodley Mansion was once a Federal-style hilltop retreat for some of the most powerful men in America, including Grover Cleveland and Martin Van Buren. For over a century, it served as a grand private residence, eventually becoming the home of Henry Stimson. But the mansion's purpose shifted dramatically in the mid-twentieth century.
In 1950, the property was sold to the private Maret School, which moved its campus here in 1952. The transition from a political powerhouse's home to a center of learning ensured the historic structure survived, turning a site of private luxury into a place of education.
Updated June 2026