Living in DC: Dumbarton Oaks – A Must-See
So I kind of like history and I kind of like beautiful gardens – a lot. In fact, I’m convinced I should be living in a chateau in England somewhere with hidden gardens, mazes, etc. all over the property. Alas, the closest thing to me having been there was reading a book… until a few weeks ago.
Having lived in this great city most of my life, I had never heard of Dumbarton Oaks until a year ago today, when someone special told me about them. Yet, it took us a year for me to finally see them… and then see them AGAIN with my mother two weeks later. These gardens aren’t just a nice nature walk. They provide you different adventures and experiences throughout. They give you a sense of history that extends well beyond the years they have been in existence. Below is a brief history, taken from the site:
“In 1920, the Blisses purchased the Georgetown property that they named Dumbarton Oaks. Their redesign of the house and the creation of gardens—directed by landscape designer Beatrix Farrand—made Dumbarton Oaks one of the outstanding residences of Washington. In 1940, the Blisses offered Harvard University the gift of Dumbarton Oaks, with its grounds, buildings, library, and art collections. Robert Bliss died in 1962, and Mildred Bliss died in 1969.” To get the full history of the house go here and to get the full history of the Blisses go here. For a history of the gardens, go here (then click on the Garden Collections menu to read about some of the more notable things you see).
These gardens seem much older than when they were realized and definitely have more of a European feel. While walking through them, you can picture yourself sitting under the beech tree, reading a book or walking to the Lover’s Pool to steal a kiss. It answers the question of what people did before technology – they appreciated beauty. Below are some of the highlights from my experience there.
