Clara Barton National Historic Site

Definitely worth a trip. This house has hourly guided tours with rangers or volunteers who will give you a nice historical overview. The house is not the most comfortable place in extreme weather and some of it is closed off as the process of restoration and preservation is ongoing. There are a lot of awkward stairs and some low ceilings. However, if you can get around that it’s a great piece of history, and it’s free.

In this day and age people are still looking for things to do on their vacation, however they may not have as much money as they use to in this economy.
For the DMV Staycationers (and history buffs) — — the Clara Barton House in Glen Echo, Maryland is a GREAT place to visit for FREE and in exchange you get a glimpse into a ton of history from the past right in the DMV’s backyard.
To be honest I did not think this would site would be of interest to me, however the tour guide was very knowledgeable about Clara Barton as well as the Clara Barton National Historic Site.
Clara Barton was the Founder of the American Red Cross and referred to as the Angel of the Battlefield.
One very interesting fact for me was Ms. Barton did not like the way the ceilings looked so she lined the ceilings with bandages.
I took several images to share the interior with those that might not ever get out to see this historic site as well as for those that might want to mosey on over and learn a bit of history.
To find out more about the Clara Barton House please visit
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I’m ashamed to say I was unaware of the existence of the Clara Barton National Historic Site right here in my own backyard, despite having lived in the area nearly two decades. Again, one of the reasons I love my job: I get invited on field trips, and this time I got to tag along with the kiddies to this fascinating little Park Services gem.
This is the house where American Red Cross rock star Clara Barton spent the last 15 years of her life. She both lived here and ran the Red Cross from this enormous house — modeled after a warehouse but looking ever so much more dressed up. The house itself was built by the Baltzley brothers, who founded the community of Glen Echo as a cultural and arts education mecca in 1890s, specifically for Clara to live in. Those Baltzleys were smart fellows, figuring if the most famous woman of her time moved into their newly established cultural colony, other residents would soon follow.
Tours are incredibly informative and interesting. I knew Ms. Barton only as the founder of the American Red Cross and the Angel of the Battlefield, but walked out of the tour completely drenched in new knowledge about her, the Red Cross, and Glen Echo. The house itself is impeccably kept and a pleasure to explore, with nooks, crannies, and a «floating» bedroom, hovering over the 3-​story atrium. Over ¹⁄₃ of the furnishings are original, as is the ceiling — which Clara herself finished using the uncut cotton muslin of Red Cross bandages.
I felt like an awe-​struck kid again with my mouth agape as the Park Ranger filled our heads with enthralling anecdotes. Most interesting? Clara Barton had jet-​black hair til the day she died of pneumonia at age 90! No lie. And photos abound on the walls of the Clara Barton House to prove it.
Go here soon.