Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site Welcome to the official page of the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (NCNW). She purchased the house in 1943.
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Mary McLeod Bethune achieved her greatest national and international recognition at the Washington, DC townhouse at 1318 Vermont Avenue NW. This Second Empire row house in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. once belonged to educator, civil rights activist, and presidential adviser Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and served as the national headquarters for the National Council of Negro Wome

n, Inc. Mary McLeod Bethune rose from a regional leader in the Civil Rights Movement to one with national prominence as she led the NCNW and numerous other organizations. To understand Mary McLeod Bethune as only a champion of civil rights, though, would be to ignore her longstanding commitment to the rights of women and to education. Hers was a life of civic engagement spent working for the greater good. The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (NHS) tells the story of her life in the house where she lived and worked from 1943 to 1949.

Bring a picnic lunch and your neighbors—let’s turn Stanton Park into our neighborhood picnic grounds and celebrate Ameri...
06/13/2026

Bring a picnic lunch and your neighbors—let’s turn Stanton Park into our neighborhood picnic grounds and celebrate America’s 250th together!

Join us Saturday, June 20, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Stanton Park.

Enjoy a community celebration with Revolutionary War living history, historic games, Junior Ranger activities, Capitol Hill Restoration Society historic walking tours, plus a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the unveiling of the restored Nathanael Greene statue from 11:30–12:30.

For more info, visit https://go.nps.gov/stanton-park

(NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas)

Mary McLeod Bethune not only shaped the world, she made an effort to see a lot of it! In a day and age before rapid tran...
06/11/2026

Mary McLeod Bethune not only shaped the world, she made an effort to see a lot of it!

In a day and age before rapid transatlantic travel, she took time out of her busy schedule to travel internationally, including a particular trip around Europe in the mid-to late 1920s that widened her perspective and helped her to see beyond a simple American lens. This broader point of view served her well in 1945, when she traveled to San Francisco, California as part of the NAACP delegation to influence to formation of the budding United Nations. Through her efforts, part of that process included instituting a charter on human rights the world over.

How has travel opened your eyes to the wider world?

Image Credit: NPS

What’s the best way to commemorate the life of an American hero and civil rights icon? Ask a dozen people and you’ll pro...
06/11/2026

What’s the best way to commemorate the life of an American hero and civil rights icon? Ask a dozen people and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers. We at Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS think that a live musical performance in front of a memorial statue is a pretty good start, and we’re sure Mrs. Bethune would agree!

On Friday July 10th, join us at Lincoln Park from 10:00 am-1:30 pm for a day of celebration and music in honor of Mary McLeod Bethune’s 151st birthday. This event is free to attend—drop in whenever you like!

For more info, visit https://www.nps.gov/mamc/annual-bethune-birthday-celebration.htm

(NPS Photo)

A huge thank you to all the volunteers from Revive Stanton Park and our amazing community who consistently help keep Sta...
06/10/2026

A huge thank you to all the volunteers from Revive Stanton Park and our amazing community who consistently help keep Stanton Park clean! Your hard work, energy, and pride in this neighborhood help keep Stanton Park beautiful and welcoming for everyone.

Want to see this beautiful park for yourself? Enjoy a community celebration June 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. See Revolutionary War living history, historic games, Junior Ranger activities, Capitol Hill Restoration Society historic walking tours, plus a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the unveiling of the restored Nathanael Greene statue from 11:30–12:30.

For more info, visit https://go.nps.gov/stanton-park

(NPS/ Conall Rubin-Thomas)

🗺️ Choose your own adventure as a Trail Ambassador! 🗺️ Volunteer to help care for the Civil War Defenses of Washington T...
06/10/2026

🗺️ Choose your own adventure as a Trail Ambassador! 🗺️

Volunteer to help care for the Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail—and choose the section you want to work on!

This 6.5‑mile trail connects five Civil War–era forts across southeast/northeast Washington, DC, offering a mix of scenery, history, and outdoor exploration.

As a Trail Ambassador, you’ll select, monitor, and maintain your own trail section. Tasks include trimming overgrown vegetation, removing litter, noting trail conditions, and helping visitors.

Which fort calls to you?

- Fort Stanton, with its original masonry bastions?

- Fort Davis, lined with splendid, towering trees?

- Fort Dupont, home to summer concerts and rolling hills?

- Fort Chaplin, a peaceful green pocket in a busy cityscape?

- Fort Mahan, full of hidden-gem walking paths?

Whichever you choose, you’ll play an important role in conserving the Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail for everyone who enjoys it. Show your fort-itude and apply today: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000NJkd1YAD

Photo: NPS / Conall Rubin-Thomas

Are you a fan of historical fiction? Want to get an inside look at what goes into making a film about American history? ...
06/09/2026

Are you a fan of historical fiction? Want to get an inside look at what goes into making a film about American history? Interested in learning more about the people who shaped our nation in honor of America’s 250th anniversary? Join us at the Miracle Theater on Saturday July 11th for a free screening of Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight and a Q&A with the film’s advisors!

For more info, visit https://www.nps.gov/mamc/annual-bethune-birthday-celebration.htm

(NPS / NABWH)

This view of the Council House's Parlor showcases a lot of our original items here: the chairs, tables, candelabra, port...
06/08/2026

This view of the Council House's Parlor showcases a lot of our original items here: the chairs, tables, candelabra, portrait, even the chandelier are all original to Mary McLeod Bethune and the NCNW's time in the house. That is why we have these golden ropes up— the objects behind them are delicate, and we want to be sure they are still around to help generations to come learn about Mrs. Bethune and the work done here. So, whether you are looking at the furniture in the Parlor, or the books, records, and stamps in the President's Office, remember: if it is behind a rope, do not touch it!

What sorts of delicate or precious things in your home do you take special care with?

Photo by NPS

The Bethune Birthday festivities in Lincoln Park at the Bethune Memorial don’t stop on Friday, July 10th. On Saturday Ju...
06/05/2026

The Bethune Birthday festivities in Lincoln Park at the Bethune Memorial don’t stop on Friday, July 10th. On Saturday July 11th, we’re keeping Mary McLeod Bethune’s 151st birthday party going with a screening of Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight at the Miracle Theater in Washington D.C.! Doors open at 1:30 pm, Q&A with 6888th advocates and some of the film’s advisors at 2 pm, and the film will be shown from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm.

Don’t miss your chance to see this film on the big screen!

For more info, visit https://www.nps.gov/mamc/annual-bethune-birthday-celebration.htm

(NPS / NABWH)

“I leave you, finally, a responsibility to our young people. The world around us really belongs to youth, for youth will...
06/03/2026

“I leave you, finally, a responsibility to our young people. The world around us really belongs to youth, for youth will take over its future management. Our children must never, lose their zeal for building a better world. They must not be discouraged from aspiring toward greatness, for they are to be the leaders of tomorrow. “ -Mrs. Bethune, Last Will and Testament.

Mrs. Bethune wasn’t just speaking to her own time, she was setting a standard that still applies. Although Mrs. Bethune only had one biological child, she considered her students, her mentees, and her secretaries family. She died at 79 years young and left a legacy of love and hope that continues to inspire future generations. How can you help to carry on her mission?

Applications are open to become a Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail Ambassador! In this position, you’ll help conse...
06/01/2026

Applications are open to become a Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail Ambassador! In this position, you’ll help conserve the historic pathway by joining a group of volunteers to care for an specific section of the trail.

Trail Ambassadors visit their selected trail portions at least once a month to trim vegetation, record data, note issues, clean up litter, and assist visitors! 🌿🗒️🚮ℹ️

Ready to join? Visit here to learn more and apply ➡️ https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000NJkd1YAD

Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

Address

1318 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20005

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17712081593

Website

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