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Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Washington DC

4.8
#13 of 54 in Historic Sites in Washington DC
Historic Site · Tourist Spot
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The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service, is located at 1411 W Street, SE, in Anacostia, a neighborhood east of the Anacostia River in Southeast Washington, D.C. United States. Established in 1988 as a National Historic Site, the site preserves the home and estate of Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent African Americans of the 19th century. Douglass lived in this house, which he named Cedar Hill, from 1877–1878 until his death in 1895. Perched on a hilltop, the site offers a sweeping view of the U.S. Capitol and the Washington, D.C., skyline.

In 2017 the site was used to represent Washington, D.C., on its America the Beautiful quarter.
To visit Frederick Douglass National Historic Site on your trip to Washington DC, use our Washington DC road trip planner.
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Frederick Douglass National Historic Site reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
189 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • I have not been into this location but have been on the grounds several times activating this park for ham radio. I think the most difficult thing for most people might be that it is up on a hill... 
    I have not been into this location but have been on the grounds several times activating this park for ham radio. I think the most difficult thing for most people might be that it is up on a hill...  more »
  • i lived on 16th & W ST SE all my life as a child i would go to this place every fall to roll down hill with fall leaves 
    i lived on 16th & W ST SE all my life as a child i would go to this place every fall to roll down hill with fall leaves  more »
Google
  • This house was a lovely sight to see on the hill overlooking a small section of Anacostia. Mr Douglas even had his version of a "man-cave" on premises and a nice house he bought in late 1800's...
  • A hopeful and inspiring place for all Americans as Frederick Douglass was born into slavery yet became free an spent his life working for the rights of African Americans and also women's rights.. Amazing view of DC cityscape and the capital. If you have kids, bring them to see this American hero's final home. They will be interested to see Lincoln's cane as well (which Mary Todd gifted Frederick after Abraham Lincoln's assassination). It flies under the radar so not usually busy. Free admission and free tour but you must register online or by phone or at the visitors center before you can enter the home. Short film in the visitors center available for viewing prior to visiting the home. Free parking but beware **the front gate closes** a few hours after the open hours and your car may be locked inside if you decide to walk or bike around. See you on the road, 📸 🙋‍♂️@gabrielcraft.me Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, gaining note for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. ~Wikipedia

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