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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…

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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