Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site — Attraction in Washington

The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site preserves the house of Mary McLeod Bethune, located in Northwest Washington, D.C., at 1318 Vermont Avenue NW. National Park Service rangers offer tours of the home, and a video about Bethune's life is shown. It is part of the Logan Circle Historic District.

In 1958, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), headquartered in the Council House, launched a campaign to create a permanent memorial to Bethune in Washington, D.C. This initiative reflected Bethune’s enduring legacy, which included founding the NCNW, the largest Black women’s organization in the United States as well as Bethune-Cookman University, which she started as a one-room school with only $1.50. The Council House also preserved important archives documenting Black women’s history, maintained by both the NCNW and the Bethune Foundation. These efforts made the site not only a strategic base for national advocacy but also a lasting symbol of African American women’s leadership and historical preservation.

After Bethune's death, title to the house passed to the National Council of Negro Women, who continued to use it as a headquarters. The Council of the District of Columbia added the site to the D.C. Register of Historic Places in 1975, and began a major restoration of the home, carriage house, and grounds. Archivist and historian Bettye Collier-Thomas was hired to manage the house, which the NCNW and the city hoped to turn into a research archive and museum. Collier-Thomas turned the museum into a nationally prominent one. After a $150,000 restoration, it opened to the public as a museum in 1981.[13] The American Institute of Architects awarded the facade and first floor restoration effort a historic preservation citation of merit.

The structure was proposed as a National Historic Site the same year, but the National Park Service controversially refused to conduct a study that would make this determination.

In 1982, Congress passed legislation requiring the United States Department of the Interior to sign an agreement with the National Council of Negro Women to further restore the house and carriage house, and to establish and maintain a museum and archives in the structure. Although the NCNW would retain ownership of the house, it would "affiliate" with the National Park Service. The museum and archives were established. Another $1 million in federal money was spent refurbishing, renovating, and conserving the house. By 1987, the federal government was paying $300,000 a year to maintain the house and museum, with the remaining two-thirds of the museum's budget coming from corporations, foundations, and private citizens. Collier-Thomas left the museum in 1989.

The National Park Service purchased Council House in 1994 and renamed it the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. The National Council of Negro Women purchased as its new headquarters Sears House—an $8 million, six-story, 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) historic building at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The Council House was transferred to the Park Service in...

The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site is a true gem in Northwest Washington, D.C. Nestled at 1318 Vermont Avenue NW, this historic house serves as a captivating tribute to the remarkable Mary McLeod Bethune. The National Park Service rangers go above and beyond, offering insightful tours of Bethune’s home, complemented by a compelling knowledge that delves into the impactful life of this influential figure.

During our visit, Christiania, our tour guide and African American women’s history guide, stood out as a beacon of knowledge and passion. Her expertise on Mrs. Bethune and her dedication to national women’s history month and African American Women in history were palpable throughout the tour. It was a truly enriching experience, seamlessly weaving together history, culture, and the indomitable spirit of an iconic woman.

The location within the Logan Circle Historic District adds another layer of significance to the visit. The Council House is not just a building; it’s a living testament to the resilience and achievements of Mary McLeod Bethune. Our visit left us inspired, educated, and with a deep appreciation for the impact of remarkable women in shaping our...

I’m so happy this place opened back up! They have tours every 30 minutes besides from the times 12:00-1:00, and it is owned my the National Parks Service so you get stamps here! They actually have four available stamps (I posted a photo. The red ones are the ones you get here.)

The tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly, but the house isn’t super big, so keep that in mind. You’ll only be here for 30 minutes.

Our park ranger did a fantastic job, and I would come back with friends. Mary McLeod Bethune was a fantastic woman, and I’m so happy I was able yo learn about her here.

Note: You do NOT need tickets here. You just walk in and ring the doorbell. It is also...