Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
National Historic Site

The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site commemorates the life of Mary McLeod Bethune and the organization she founded, the National Council of Negro Women. The Bethune Council House was Mary McLeod Bethune's last official Washington, DC residence and the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women. Mary McLeod Bethune founded Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida and served as an advisor on African American affairs to four presidents. She was appointed Director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration by President Roosevelt. She was the first African American woman to hold so high an office in the federal government. The site features the three story Victorian town house which was her home when she was in Washington, DC and housed the offices of the National Council of Negro Women and a carriage house in which the National Archives for Black Women's History is located.

Click here for more information about the Bethune Council House and Mary McLeod Bethune.

VISITATION:

Highest in February and March and during the summer months.

ADDRESS:

1318 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005

TELEPHONE AND FAX:

(202) 673-2402
(202) 673-2414 Fax

OPERATING HOURS:

10am-4pm Monday through Saturday year round. Closed most federal holidays.

DIRECTIONS:

FROM BALTIMORE AND POINTS NORTH: Take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway south to New York Avenue. Take New York Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue. Turn right onto 13th Street. Go one block and turn left onto N Street. Go another block and turn right onto Vermont Avenue. 1318 is an half block up the street on the left.

FROM VIRGINIA AND POINTS SOUTH: Take 14th Street to Thomas Circle. Make a right off the Circle onto Vermont Avenue. 1318 is one and an half blocks past the circle on the left.

Street parking is limited to two hours on Vermont Avenue. There are several pay parking lots within one or two blocks of Thomas Circle.

TRANSPORTATION:

Metrobus and Metrorail - (McPherson Square - Orange/Blue Lines)

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission fee. Donations accepted.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Acreage: .07

Visitor Center/Exhibits: The visitor center features showings of a video on the life of Mary McLeod Bethune. The Bethune Council House is a house museum with exhibits on Mary McLeod Bethune and the National Council of Negro Women. For additional information on changing exhibits contact (202) 673-2402.

Programs/Activities: Ranger guided tours are given during operating hours. Groups of ten or more must make reservations. There is also a treasure hunt through the Bethune Council House for children and their families. Rangers are also available to speak to local church, school, and senior citizen groups. For information on special events or to schedule a tour (202) 673-2402.

National Archives for Black Women's History: The National Archives for Black Women's History is the largest repository solely dedicated to the collection and preservation of materials relating to African American women. The collections include correspondence, photographs, and speeches relating to Mary McLeod Bethune, the National Council of Negro Women, and other African American women and their organizations. Access to the archives is by appointment only. To find out more about the archives or to schedule an appointment please contact the archivist (202) 673-2402.

Accessibility: The Bethune Council House is not currently handicapped accessible.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Tour the Bethune Council House; Do research in the National Archives for Black Women's History; Attend special events such as book signings, lectures, and workshops.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Set aside an hour for the guided tour and to view the video on Mary McLeod Bethune.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Special programs during February and March; Open House the first weekend in June for museum walk weekend; Open House on July 10 in honor of Mary McLeod Bethune's birthday; Special programs for children and teachers are offered regularly; Contact the park for additional information on the above programs and other events (202) 673-2402.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Washington, DC Black History Recreation Trail, Frederick Douglass Home, and other national parks in the Washington, DC area.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Call (202) 673-2402.

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Last Updated:Friday, 06-Nov-98 16:40:32
http://www.nps.gov/mamc/index.htm
Author: Susan McElrath