Exploring Hillwood House & Museum, D.C.
I am totally obsessed with the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post, particularly as it relates to how the Russian culture impacted her life. After having visited the Hillwood House five years ago and Russia just a few weeks ago, I decided I needed to go back to Hillwood House to take in her collections from a different perspective.
MARJORIE’S HISTORY
Marjorie Merriweather Post was born in Springfield, Illinois to C.W. Post and Ella Letitia Merriweather in 1887. Her father, who developed Postum Cereal, passed away when Marjorie was 27, ultimately transferring the rights of the company to her. Instead, of stepping down in favor of a male counterpart, she bucked business trends by remaining on the board, adding a holding company called “General Foods”, and then growing it to include canned and frozen goods. She was worth $250 million at the time she passed, making her the wealthiest woman in the country.
But, while her professional life was incredibly impressive, her social life was even more. Having a love of meticulous entertaining and being a stickler for manners, she’d invite some of the most notable and important people she could surround herself with, continuing to increase the stature of these guests as she strategically married into international political power and influence. It was through her marriage to Joseph E. Davies in 1935, who became the American Soviet Ambassador during Stalin’s era, that she fell in love with Russian culture, ultimately collecting hundreds of artifacts in the twenty years they were married.
She passed away on the estate in 1973 and is buried there.
THE GREENHOUSE
Marjorie loved gardening and even more so, rare orchids from all over the world. Taken in 2014 during the spring, you can see the slideshow above of the many rare orchids in the greenhouse collection.
TOURING THE MANSION
Hillwood is one of those places that you could spend hours taking pictures of every single detail, because Marjorie was an incredibly detailed person. Each light switch, china pattern, piece of jewelry, furniture, etc. all have a story behind it and are all rare, ornate pieces that make it one of the most exquisite museums in the country.
THE ASIAN GARDENS
Designed by Shogo Myaida, Marjorie wanted a non-traditional Japanese garden that offered people the chance to walk and take in the beauty, as opposed to stopping and meditating in certain spots throughout. It’s one of my favorite parts of the tour and certainly, one of the most peaceful.
GETTING LOST IN THE GROUNDS
If you further follow along the paths on the property, you will see many hidden gardens, pools, and memorials dedicated to Marjorie and her beloved pets as well.
Hillwood House is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 pp . Note that they also have a cafe and restaurant on the property. If you want to eat at the restaurant, you must make reservations first.