Marjorie Merriweather Post purchased the estate in 1955 specifically to house her growing collection of Russian imperial art.
The collection includes two of the fifty-two known Imperial Fabergé Easter eggs.
The estate features a pet cemetery where Post buried her beloved dogs.
The French Porcelain Room contains a rare collection of Sèvres pieces that were once part of the Russian imperial service.
A dedicated icon room houses a vast array of Russian Orthodox religious icons, many decorated with precious metals and jewels.
The Japanese-style garden was designed by landscape architect Shogo Myaida to incorporate traditional elements like stone lanterns and a waterfall.
The mansion was originally built as a Georgian-style home before Post oversaw significant renovations to accommodate her art collection.
The estate maintains a specialized library focused on decorative arts and the history of the Russian imperial court.
Post held elaborate social events at Hillwood, famously hosting dignitaries and celebrities in the estate’s dining rooms.
The greenhouse contains a collection of rare orchids that are rotated seasonally into the display areas.
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens was the former residence of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, serving as a repository for her extensive collection of 18th-century French decorative arts and Imperial Russian artifacts. The estate occupies 25 acres in Northwest Washington, D.C., featuring a mansion preserved as it appeared during Post's occupancy. It houses the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia, including Fabergé eggs and ecclesiastical vestments. The gardens are designed as a series of distinct outdoor rooms, such as the Japanese-style garden and the French parterre. Visitors can access both the mansion's interior galleries and the surrounding landscaped grounds. The estate is a non-profit institution dedicated to maintaining Post's legacy and collections. It serves as a study center for Russian and French culture.
The view from the top of the French parterre looking back toward the mansion's limestone facade.
Book timed-entry passes in advance, especially for mansion interior tours, as capacity is limited.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the 25 acres of varied garden terrain.
Check the website for rotating special exhibitions that may be on display in the visitor center.
Do not attempt to walk from the nearest metro station, as the final stretch involves a significant uphill climb along streets without dedicated sidewalks.
Closed on Mondays and major federal holidays; the mansion interior occasionally closes for private events or conservation work.
Photography is permitted in the gardens and certain areas of the museum, but flash photography is strictly prohibited inside the mansion; maintain quiet conversation in gallery spaces.
