Cedar Hill: Frederick Douglass' home
Cedar Hill is more than just another one of Washington's beautiful historic homes. Besides the unique collections inside, the rare views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill, and the “lion's lair” reading house, the fact that the home belonged to a former slave – Frederick Douglass, specifically – is a historical curiousity itself. The famous ex-slave, writer and statesman resided here for the remaining 18 years of his life, a quiet retreat from his years of political battles.
Redesignated the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in 1988, Cedar Hill is situated in the southeast section of Washington, DC, in Anacostia. It consists of a 1850's brick home and a small retreat stone shed, known as the “Growlery”, where Douglass liked to disappear to read quietly. The main house originally had 14 rooms, which Douglass expanded to 21. The expansion included a dining room where political discussions occurred over meals, a library which Douglass spent much of his time surrounded by books, which he loved, and a fancy parlor room where a game of checkers could take place.
Douglass and his wife, Anna, moved to Cedar Hill in 1877 when Douglass was already 60 years old. They would live there until they both died. After Anna passed away, Douglass married Helen Pitts, a white feminist and friend who worked hard to keep Cedar Hill as a memorial after Douglass passed away in 1895. It became entrusted to the National Park Service in 1962.
HelloWashingtonDC Tip: The grounds of Cedar Hill are open to the public free of charge, but touring the house requires a ticket and a ranger. Reservations may be made in advance, or visitors can enter the house on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is highly recommended that visitors do not walk from the Anacostia metro to the site, but rather take a taxi, bus or drive.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
