The Garden
At the edge of the entrance lot sits the Douglass Memorial garden. Located at the base of the hillside, a meandering swale of sweeping colors and rich textures ofÌýplant materials is traversed by a wooden footbridge that directs you to followÌýa path through a wooden arbor to the healing bench made of recycled pickle barrels. A small journal can be found under the pickle bench for visitors to record thoughts, feelings, or inspirations.
Image: Adrienne McCray
Cedar Hill
The Frederick Douglass House sits on top of Cedar Hill which gives it a monumental presence.ÌýThe dramatic, well-manicured sloped lawns are hugged with a path that gradually leads you to the entrance road.ÌýThe walk up to the house comes at a slow pace as you navigate the slopes, which offers time to enjoy the mature trees and views along the way.
Image: Adrienne McCray
Moments of Pause
The original entrance from the street to the front door of the house traverses a series of sculpted terraced lawns with a brick staircase and black handrailsÌýthat cuts into the slope.ÌýWideÌýterrace landings offers moments of pause along theÌý51-footÌýgrade change.Ìý
Image: Adrienne McCray
Spectacular Views
One of the many points of interestÌýat Cedar Hill is the spectacular views of Historic Anacostia and the Anacostia River. Other points of interest seen beyond in the impressive D.C. skyline include the Washington Monument, the Southeast Waterfront, and Nationals Park. The original driveway to the house enters from 14th Street and wraps around the property to navigate the grades and lead to the back entrance where the carriage house was located.
Image: Adrienne McCray
The Restored Home
The original restored Frederick Douglass home is a wonderful reflection of the historic architecture of Anacostia.ÌýThe house faces north perpendicular to the Anacostia River and is lined by seasonal border planting beds at the main entrance.ÌýAttention is drawn to the symmetry ofÌýfront door and windows of theÌýhome and the intricate lattice cornice supported by formal columns along the front porch.
Image: Adrienne McCray
Cozy Front Porch Charm
The wooden front porch extends across the entire length of the house.ÌýThe benches and rocking chair placed within the shady space offers a cozy front porch charm.ÌýThe porch is accessed from three sides by three wooden stairs that step up and wrap around the perimeter.
Image: Adrienne McCray
A Sculpted Slope
The west slope of the property dips down, revealing the surrounding Historic Anacostia neighborhood on 14th Street, SE, and the lush tree canopy of Anacostia Park beyond. The hillside is a carefully sculpted slope covered with groundcover plants, an open lawn area, and large canopy trees. The remains of the original brick stable and other structures can be seen tucked away into the landscape.
Image: Adrienne McCray
The Place for Croquet
The back yard on the south side of the site offers a level hilltop for play areas and activities and the carriage circle driveway before falling off on all sides back down the sloped the site.ÌýThe drive is accented with a brick edge, and a brick path connects to the house.ÌýThe open lawn between the house and the circle was used by Douglass to play his favorite game: croquet.ÌýNeighborhood tour guides are on site to demonstrate the game to visitors.
Image: Adrienne McCray
The Growlery
The restored Growlery, located on the south end of the site, is a small shed-like structure that was used by Frederick Douglass as a getaway space for thinking and writing.ÌýThe rustic stone structure with the wooden door and brick chimney connects to the house by a narrow stone pathway.
Image: Adrienne McCray
A Quiet Softness
DownÌýalong the surrounding streets, the views looking up onto Cedar Hill provide a quiet softness against the surrounding dense urban neighborhood grid. This is a reminder of the importance of open space and theÌýbalance it providesÌýwithin the inner city.ÌýÌý
Image: Adrienne McCray