Daughters of the American Revolution Museum

White House Area & Foggy Bottom


This neoclassical behemoth is supposedly the largest complex of buildings in the world owned exclusively by women. They own the entire city block! Enter from D St to reach its museum, where you'll find two galleries and a series of 'Period Rooms' furnished to reflect how Americans decorated their houses between the late 17th century and early 20th centuries. Guided tours of the rooms are offered from 10am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.

If the DAR’s name sounds familiar, it’s possibly because in 1939 the ladies barred African American contralto Marian Anderson from singing at its hall. Anderson then performed her famous civil rights concert on the Lincoln Memorial’s steps. The DAR eventually changed its policies and mended fences with Anderson.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby White House Area & Foggy Bottom attractions

1. Organization of American States

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2. Art Museum of the Americas

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The Organization of American States operates this small art museum in a separate building on its property. It features changing exhibits of modern and…

4. Second Division Memorial

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This memorial in the Ellipse honors the US Army Second Division's dead from WWI, WWII and the Korean War.

5. C&O Canal Lockkeeper's House

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At the northeast corner of Constitution Gardens, this 1835 stone gatehouse is a remnant of the days when the Washington City Canal flowed through this…

6. Department of the Interior Museum

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Responsible for managing the nation’s natural resources, the Department of the Interior operates this small museum to educate the public about its current…

7. Octagon Museum

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8. Ellipse

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The expansive, oval-shaped park on the White House's south side is known as the Ellipse. It's studded with a random collection of monuments, such as the…