On a recent trip to D.C., I made a concerted effort to visit some of the smaller museums off the main drag.
The Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Garden was the estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, of the Post cereal fortune. She purchased the home in 1955, and the collecting began… Decorative art is the main draw with an emphasis on Russian artifacts and eighteenth-century French wares. We veered away from the official docent-led tour to explore the fancy tastes of this well-traveled woman (and the household required to maintain the house and gardens!).
Favorite scenes:
- “Do Not Disturb – Resting”: silver boxes mounted on bedroom doors to alert guests (and staff, one presumes) if you were “resting”
- Metallic-wallpapered closet
- Pink toilet paper in the master bathroom
- Cherub decoration for a peek-a-boo screen alongside the master bed
The gardens were a definite draw, showcasing a variety of styles and eras. But the stunner was a 50-foot open space, behind the house, that begged for a roll down the hill. Part of the “Lunar Lawn,” you can perfectly picture it as the location for an outdoor film or garden cocktail party.
