May 18 marked International Museum Day which aims to highlight the important role museums play in cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, and peace around the world. To commemorate the day, I want to take a chance and share one of my favorite museums in Washington, D.C. – Hillwood Estate – that reflects this exact ethos.
Marjorie Merriweather Post, an affluent American businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist and collector, dedicated her life to curating a truly astounding collection of art from around the world and housed it all in one of her properties – Hillwood Estate. From the beginning, she intended the estate to become a museum.
“I want young Americans to see how someone lived in the twentieth century and how this person could collect works of art the way I have… I want to share this with the rest of the world,” she said.
Set upon 25 acres of gardens and surrounding woodlands in northwest Washington, D.C., Hillwood has been meticulously preserved to represent the period. The Georgian-style mansion, originally built in the 1920s, features 36 rooms redesigned by Marjorie Post according to the eighteenth-century French decorating style.
Post was particularly keen to keep her home updated with the most modern conveniences that money could buy, for example, an in-house movie theatre and high-tech kitchen and pantry. Journey through its opulent rooms transports you to the estate’s heyday when Marjorie Post used to host lavish soirees for her numerous dignitary friends.
While the interior design of the mansion undoubtedly makes Hillwood one of Washington’s most memorable homes, the unique collection of art housed here is a true source of admiration. It showcases numerous French and Asian pieces, but her collection of Russian art and religious objects is what Hillwood is most known for. In fact, it is the biggest collection of treasures from Imperial Russia outside Russia.
Some of the collection highlights include:
- Two Imperial Easter Eggs by House of Fabergé that were gifts to Maria Fedorovna from her son Nicholas II of Russia
- Russian Orthodox liturgical vestment worn by a priest during the coronation of Nicholas II in 1896
- Portrait of Catherine the Great, a full-length portrait of Catherine II in her Russian elite finery
- A Boyar Wedding Feast by Konstantin Makovsky, 1883
I have visited the museum five times and each time I kept finding new art pieces or design features to admire.
The Hillwood Estate garden is a sight to behold in its own right. Since Marjorie Post spent every spring and fall here, the landscaping highlights the best of both seasons. The garden is particularly stunning during spring when hundreds of candy-colored azalea bushes bloom. It is my favorite place to picnic in D.C. in spring, especially because it is never crowded and provides a very tranquil and scenic atmosphere. A little insider tip: they also have a café on site serving delicious plates and cocktails.
You probably already felt that my love for Hillwood Estate is bottomless. I always take my visiting friends here and no one has ever left disappointed. The museum and gardens are truly a hidden gem in Washington, D.C., and a must-see when you are touring the capital.
Museum info: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, some holidays, and for several weeks in January. Advance reservations are not necessary for your visit. Visit Hillwood Estate website to check their calendar for special events and exhibitions.
Stay inspired, my beautiful friends!
xoxo, nano
Insightful