PARK OVERVIEW
Located in the Anacostia suburb of Washington, D. C., Frederick Douglass National Historic Site preserves the last home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The park consists of a Visitor Center, where you can watch a film about Douglass and peruse exhibits at a small museum, and the Douglass House (aka Cedar Hill), which is accessed via a Ranger-guided tour only. Tours are given at scheduled times throughout the day. Free tickets are required and space is limited on each tour. You can reserve tickets online in advance for a small service fee.
PARKING
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site has its own parking lot, so there is no need to park on the street. If traveling down W Street from I-95 and passing the Douglass House on your right, the parking lot is past the house at the corner of 15th Street.
OPERATING HOURS
The Visitor Center and grounds are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM from April through October and 9 AM to 4:30 PM the rest of the year. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
- Tours of the Douglass House for groups of 10 or less people are given at 9 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, 3 PM, and 3:30 PM (a 4 PM tour is held April through October).
- Tours of the Douglass House for groups of 11 to 60 people are given at 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 2 PM. Groups must call in advance and make a reservation.
Times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.
FEES
There is a small service charge to reserve Douglass House Tour tickets in advance, but otherwise entrance to the Visitor Center and tours of the Douglass House are free.
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
Visitor Center
allow 30 to 60 minutes
Douglass House Tour
allow 45 minutes
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Last updated on November 24, 2024