Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Legacy of Freedom
At 1411 W Street SE, you'll find Cedar Hill, the private retreat of Frederick Douglass. This estate, which Douglass acquired in 1877, is now a National Historic Site. It's a place…
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At 1411 W Street SE, you'll find Cedar Hill, the private retreat of Frederick Douglass. This estate, which Douglass acquired in 1877, is now a National Historic Site. It's a place that welcomes visitors to explore the life of a man who escaped slavery to become a world-renowned abolitionist and statesman.
The site features a residence in the Greek Revival and Italianate styles, set on about eight and a half acres. Today, the National Park Service offers free tours year-round, ensuring that Douglass's legacy of equal rights and advocacy remains an open book for every visitor who walks these grounds.
Updated June 2026