Historic Sites in Ashburn

"If you get lucky and you visit on a Sunday, see if there are any special guided tours at Ford’s Theater. If not, you can also see about taking in a show at this legendary theater, the place where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. I would also highly recommend getting tickets in advance for a Ranger Talk at the site, which are available from 9:30 to 4:00 pm at select times. Advance tickets are required for busy times and plan to arrive about 10 minutes prior to your tour time."

"This venue at 551 10th street had been open for less than two years when it was the scene of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination by actor John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. Lincoln had been attending a production of Our American Cousin when he was shot in the head in the presidential box by Booth at close range. He was then lifted across the street to the Petersen House, also now part of the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, where he died the following morning."

"One of the most popular leaders and 16th U.S President Abraham Lincoln got a place at Ford’s Theatre. The museum portraits his final few hours and recreates the American Civil War with artifacts of the past. You will get a chance to learn about his assassination, conspiracy, and investigation details via stories, theater shows, and digital resources on the virtual video tour."

"The sumptuous home of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) is one of the top museums for decorative arts in the United States. Post had an eye for 18th-century French and pre-Revolution Russian art, particularly Fabergé eggs, and there are two in the collection, along with liturgical art, porcelain, tapestries, furniture and portraits. A painting of one of Post’s heroines, Catharine the Great commands the Entry Hall stairway, and the tour will show you through a series of lavish rooms like the French Porcelain Room, Russian Sacred Arts Room and the Post Bedroom Suite."

"Put together by a rich heiress with a taste for high art and culture, the Hillwood Estate is filled with things like tapestries, portraits, ornaments, flowers, tea sets and porcelain goods. It’s a collection that spans the globe, and it’s one of the best places to visit in Washington, DC if you enjoy delicate beauty. The Hillwood Estate is technically known as a “decorative arts museum."

"This Washington, DC attraction is outside the city limits in the Northwest Washington, DC area next to Rock Creek Park. The Hillwood Estate Museum is in the historic Mansion and consists of more than 15 interesting rooms and exhibits. When you finish inside, wander around outside in the gardens."

"Arlington National Cemetery is probably one of the most photographed cemeteries in the world. This destination offers plenty of opportunities to capture emotional and thought-provoking photos throughout the grounds. Arlington is huge, so you might want to consider hopping on the tour bus or tram service from the Welcome Center to get around to the different sites within the cemetery."

"After your visit, take the Metro at Gallery Place to Arlington National Cemetery. (You will have to change to the Blue Line at Metro Center)."

"Nearly 400,000 American war dead, as well as many notable Americans (among them presidents William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy, General…"

"This residence-turned-museum is known as the “Brewmaster’s Castle.” It is a lesser-known building that once housed the world’s oldest brewer, known as Christian Heurich. Heurich is recognized as the city’s most successful brewer. During his life, he was D.C.’s second largest landowner and largest non-governmental employer."

"Heurich House Museum is a Gilded Age mansion in Washington DC's Dupont Circle neighborhood. The house museum preserves the legacy of historic brewer Christian Heurich. The museum offers one-hour-long tours every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm."

"Referred to as the Brewmaster's Castle, the Heurich House in Dupont Circle is known for beer-focused events throughout the year. Every Thursday, it hosts a live “HOME/BREWED” exhibit in the site’s private backyard. View this post on Instagram"

"This national historic site is located in 1318 Vermont Avenue in Northwest, Washington DC. The site is where the house of Mary McLeod Bethune is, which is a three-story Victorian house with a two-story carriage house. The carriage house is where the archives of the Black Women’s history is hidden. There is also a research center within the property, on top of the National Archives."

"This Logan Circle house hosted the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women, an organization that works to reduce racial, class, and gender discrimination. The building also served as the last home of Mary McLeod Bethune, an education advocate who became the highest-ranking African-American woman in the the federal government in 1935. View this post on Instagram"

"Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS is located in Northwest Washington D.C. The park is open year-round and offers tours of the historic home and a park movie. Mary Mcleod Bethune was born in 1875 to parents who had been enslaved prior to Emancipation. She was very focused on her education."

"Due to its location spanning the Potomac River, Arlington Memorial Bridge symbolically reconnects the north and south. The Neoclassical masonry and steel bridge, built in 1932, connects the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, the former estate of Robert E. Lee. Designed by McKim, Meade and White, the bridge is adorned with statues by sculptor Leo Friedlander depicting valor and sacrifice."

"One great view of DC is from the My Vernon trail next to the Arlington Memorial bridge. Whether you’re taking pictures on the sidewalk of the bridge or different angles around the bridge it you’ll have plenty to see. There are a few locations to park if you are trying to get a skyline view of the city."

"Arlington Memorial Bridge runs across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery, one of six bridges connecting Virginia with the District of Columbia."

"Located in Washington DC's Georgetown neighborhood, Dumbarton House is a Federal-style house from around 1800. The museum's collection includes 1,000+ pieces of furniture, paintings, textiles, silver, and ceramics primarily from the Federal period, 1789 to 1825, as well as, a manuscript and document collection including journals, account books, and letters that together document nearly 300 years of Nourse family life."

"2715 Q St. NW Washington, DC. The historic house in Georgetown was originally the home to Joseph Nourse, first Register of the U.S."

"This is another former home turned into a historic site in this list of national park service sites in Washington DC. It is located in 1538 9th Street NW, in Washington DC’s Shaw neighborhood. The site preserved the former home of Carter G. Woodson who died in 1950 and founded the Black History Month. He is an African-American author, journalist and historian."

"Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s home served as the headquarters for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week here in 1926, which we celebrate today as Black History Month. Rangers offer guided interpretive tours of the house on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays."

"This is the home of African-American historian, author, and journalist Carter G. Woodson, also the founder of Black History Month. The house has recently completed renovations and is open for tours (reservations highly recommended) on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday."

"Finally, a place where you can snag some healthy food without breaking the bank!. At this joint, they call their cuisine naturally fast food, and the majority of the items are under $10. If you’re vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free, or vegetarian, you’ll find plenty of options that suit your dietary needs and preferences."

"Chef Ryan Ratino was named Rising Culinary Star of the Year at the 2017 RAMMYS, DC’s local culinary awards ceremony, and it’s clear to see why at Bresca, his Michelin-starred venture on hip and happening 14th Street. The restaurant’s namesake is Catalan for honeycomb and the inspiration for the bright-yet-earthy decor. An inventive menu melds tantalizing flavors and Ratino’s one-of-a-kind vision: pastrami beets are served with whipped feta and dill on rye, foie gras is made into a “PB&J” and sea urchin linguini with truffles and chili delivers a deliciously rich umami bomb."

"Chef Ryan Ratino’s one-star bistro on lower 14th Street NW whips up four-course dinners ($83 per person) filled out by tuna crudo with Calabrian chile, wild fennel, makrut lime and foie gras gateau with pistachio, strawberry, celery, and anise. A three- or four-course “Bee Home” takeout menu for dinner starts at $68. A “Krug x Onion” option pairs a bottle of the Champagne with Kaluga Caviar and onion crème fraîche tarts ($245)."

"Chef Ryan Ratino opened his first solo restaurant at age 27, riding a wave of momentum from stints at D.C.’s Ripple and New York’s Dovetail and WD-50. He’s made a big splash, racking up accolades including best new restaurant..."

"Scrambling eggs since 1935, this diner has three locations throughout Maryland, two of which – Laurel and Silver Spring – serve beer and wine. Open round-the-clock, the diners have jukeboxes and televisions to keep younger ears and eyes entertained. To fill mouths, check the daily blue plate specials such as the crab cake platter on Wednesdays at the Bethesda location."

"One of the last original and authentic American diners left, this restaurant has been serving the Metro area since 1935. There are three locations to chose from in Maryland: Silver Spring, Bethesda and Laurel. Crack open a menu and you will find classic Americana offerings like fried chicken, pancakes and eggs."

"Tastee Diner has two locations in Bethesda and Silver Spring. It’s open 24-hours a day, and each booth comes with its own jukebox. The hotcakes are the main attraction here."