Tudor Place, Washington D.C.
Tudor Place stands as one of the prominent mansions from the Federal era in the United States. It was designed by William Thornton, the architect responsible for the U.S. Capitol. Construction of the house commenced around 1794 and concluded approximately in 1815.
The house was owned by Thomas Peter and his wife, Martha Parke Custis Peter, who had significant ties to the Washington, Custis, and Lee families. Thomas Peter served as the mayor of Georgetown from 1789 to 1798, and Martha Parke Custis was the granddaughter of Martha Washington. After Mrs. Washington's passing, the Peter family inherited a considerable number of enslaved individuals from Mount Vernon. They continued to hold these individuals in bondage for many years, and some were only freed as a result of the Civil War.
The house is situated atop a hill within an extensive estate featuring lawns and gardens. While the north-facing side of the structure is notably unadorned, the south-facing elevation, which overlooks Georgetown, is a striking example of Regency design. The main house comprises end pavilions connected by loggias, stuccoed brick facades with minimal ornamentation, and Tuscan columns. The building boasts an unconventional floor plan but boasts fine interior detailing.
A highlight of Tudor Place is its collection of over 100 items that once belonged to George and Martha Washington. Enriched by 180 years of ownership by the Peter family, both the residence and the gardens offer a unique window into American cultural and social history. In 1960, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark and is now accessible to the public.
The house was owned by Thomas Peter and his wife, Martha Parke Custis Peter, who had significant ties to the Washington, Custis, and Lee families. Thomas Peter served as the mayor of Georgetown from 1789 to 1798, and Martha Parke Custis was the granddaughter of Martha Washington. After Mrs. Washington's passing, the Peter family inherited a considerable number of enslaved individuals from Mount Vernon. They continued to hold these individuals in bondage for many years, and some were only freed as a result of the Civil War.
The house is situated atop a hill within an extensive estate featuring lawns and gardens. While the north-facing side of the structure is notably unadorned, the south-facing elevation, which overlooks Georgetown, is a striking example of Regency design. The main house comprises end pavilions connected by loggias, stuccoed brick facades with minimal ornamentation, and Tuscan columns. The building boasts an unconventional floor plan but boasts fine interior detailing.
A highlight of Tudor Place is its collection of over 100 items that once belonged to George and Martha Washington. Enriched by 180 years of ownership by the Peter family, both the residence and the gardens offer a unique window into American cultural and social history. In 1960, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark and is now accessible to the public.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Washington D.C.. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Tudor Place on Map
Sight Name: Tudor Place
Sight Location: Washington D.C., USA (See walking tours in Washington D.C.)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Washington D.C., USA (See walking tours in Washington D.C.)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Washington D.C., USA
Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.
Creating your own self-guided walk in Washington D.C. is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Federal Buildings Walking Tour
The capital of the United States is home to several notable federal buildings that hold significant historical, architectural, and governmental value.
Among the stately “emblems of authority” in Washington D.C. perhaps the most prominent is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States – The White House. This resplendent mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Among the stately “emblems of authority” in Washington D.C. perhaps the most prominent is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States – The White House. This resplendent mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Georgetown Walking Tour
Georgetown is a historic neighborhood situated in the northwest quadrant of Washington, DC. Despite its proximity to downtown, this former port area has preserved much of its distinct character. In Georgetown, "old-world charm meets modern allure," they say. Those poetically inclined tend to compare it to "a tapestry of cobblestone dreams and timeless grace."
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years," goes the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln.
Indeed, those remembered in Washington, D.C. – the renowned statesmen, politicians, fallen soldiers, and other distinguished persons – had their years filled with life to the brim. What they left behind is a great legacy manifested in historic... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Indeed, those remembered in Washington, D.C. – the renowned statesmen, politicians, fallen soldiers, and other distinguished persons – had their years filled with life to the brim. What they left behind is a great legacy manifested in historic... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Georgetown University Walking Tour
Georgetown University, established in 1789, is America's oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution. Spanning four campuses in Washington, DC, its main undergraduate campus in Georgetown features fifty-four buildings across 104 acres.
With its Gothic and Georgian architecture, serene green spaces, and Jesuit traditions, the university promotes academic excellence and global engagement. For... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
With its Gothic and Georgian architecture, serene green spaces, and Jesuit traditions, the university promotes academic excellence and global engagement. For... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Arlington National Cemetery Tour
"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example," a distinguished politician of the 19th century said once.
The historic military necropolis – the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – is the final resting place for many of America's heroes, whose willingness to sacrifice for their country has earned them the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
The historic military necropolis – the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – is the final resting place for many of America's heroes, whose willingness to sacrifice for their country has earned them the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia or simply The District, is the capital of the United States and, in many senses, America’s front yard. After the American Revolution, the need for the newly independent nation's federal government to have authority over a capital city and not rely on any state for its maintenance and safety, came in the wake of the Pennsylvania Mutiny of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Chocolate Destinations in Washington D.C.
Let’s be honest, you hear the words "Washington, D.C." and you think politics, history, museums, etc. You can’t take five steps in the city without being surrounded by history. As important as all that culture is, it’s also a bit overwhelming. Make it fun by exploring Washington,...
Traveler's Guide to Washington DC: 16 Souvenirs to Bring Home
The capital of the United States is an attraction in its own right and many things that have originated here or in the nearby areas are of great cultural and historic significance. To decide which of them can make for an ideal souvenir for you to bring home, check out the proposed list of local...
10 Unusual Things to Do in Washington DC
You might be inclined to think that the capital of the United States consists solely of museums and monuments, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As a local, I’ve found that there are so many more things to do in this city than just the main tourist highlights. Read on to learn 10 of...