Tudor Place is a Federal-style mansion and garden on the heights of Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Built for Martha Washington’s granddaughter and home to six generations of the same family, it offers a rare, intimate look at more than 150 years of American history, with period rooms, heirlooms from Mount Vernon and five and a half acres of historic gardens.
History of Tudor Place
The house was designed by William Thornton, the first architect of the U.S. Capitol, for Thomas Peter and Martha Parke Custis Peter, granddaughter of Martha Washington. They bought the land in 1805 with an inheritance from George Washington, and the house was completed in 1816.
The Peter family lived here for 178 years, until the death of Armistead Peter 3rd in 1983, who left the estate to a foundation so it could be preserved and opened to the public. Tudor Place is a National Historic Landmark and holds some 15,000 objects, including the largest collection of George Washington items in the capital outside Mount Vernon.
Attractions at Tudor Place
The Mansion: A Thornton-designed house with a distinctive domed, circular temple portico facing the south lawn.
Washington Collection: Furniture, silver, china and personal items that once belonged to George and Martha Washington.
Period Rooms: Drawing room, parlor, library and bedrooms furnished as the family used them across several generations.
Historic Gardens: Five and a half acres with the Bowling Green, a boxwood knot garden, a flower knot, an orchard and venerable old trees.
Seasonal Displays: Spring bulbs, summer roses and changing exhibitions drawn from the collection.
Things to Do at Tudor Place
Join a guided tour of the mansion’s period rooms.
Wander the gardens at your own pace on a self-guided visit.
Look for the Washington family heirlooms in the collection.
Attend a lecture, family day or seasonal event in the garden.
Pair your visit with nearby Dumbarton Oaks and Oak Hill Cemetery.
Tudor Place – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
Tudor Place is generally open Tuesday to Sunday, with the house seen on guided tours and the garden open for self-guided visits.
An admission fee applies for house tours; garden-only tickets are usually cheaper.
Tour times and capacity are limited, so booking ahead is a good idea on weekends.
Hours can change seasonally and on holidays, so check the official Tudor Place website before you go.
How Long to Spend at Tudor Place
Plan on about an hour for the house tour and another 30 to 60 minutes to enjoy the garden.
How to Get There
Address: Tudor Place is at 1644 31st Street NW in Georgetown, between Q and R Streets.
By Metro: The closest station is Dupont Circle on the Red Line, roughly a 20-minute walk across Rock Creek via the Q Street (Dumbarton) Bridge.
By Bus: Metrobus routes on Wisconsin Avenue stop a few blocks west of the house.
By Car: Street parking in Georgetown is limited; walking, rideshare or public transport are easier.
Eateries Nearby Tudor Place
Martin’s Tavern: Classic American dishes in a historic Wisconsin Avenue tavern.
1789 Restaurant: Elegant American dining in a Federal-era townhouse.
Café Milano: Popular Italian restaurant on Prospect Street.
Clyde’s of Georgetown: Relaxed American fare on M Street.
Georgetown Cupcake: The famous bakery on M Street, good for a sweet break.
Other Attractions Nearby Tudor Place
Dumbarton Oaks: World-famous gardens and a museum of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, one block north.
Oak Hill Cemetery: A peaceful 19th-century garden cemetery overlooking Rock Creek.
Montrose Park: A shady public park next to Dumbarton Oaks.
Georgetown Waterfront Park: Riverside lawns and fountains along the Potomac.
C&O Canal: The historic canal towpath through Georgetown.
The Exorcist Steps: The famous stairway made famous by the 1973 film.
Tudor Place is a historic house museum and garden in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., built in 1816 for Martha Washington’s granddaughter and designed by William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol.
Home to six generations of the Peter family, Tudor Place preserves period rooms, a remarkable collection of George Washington heirlooms and five and a half acres of historic gardens.
