Dumbarton Oaks - Main House
Address1703, 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC, United States of America, 20008
Site Number165
Alternate Names
Dumbarton Oaks - Main Building,
The Bliss Estate
Building Root Number
00190
Architect (Original)
Unknown
Constructed
1801
Land Acquired 1940
Building Acquired 1940
Land Acquired 1940
Building Acquired 1940
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is partially named for the parcel of land it is built on, The Rock of Dumbarton, granted by Queen Anne in 1702. Historically the property was also referred to as The Oaks. It was named Dumbarton Oaks by the Bliss family in 1933. The site is also named for its function.Historical NotesDumbarton Oaks is a research institute in Washington, D.C. which is housed on the former estate of Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss. The Bliss’ purchased the house (Main Building) in 1920 and later gave the property to Harvard University in 1940. Additional Information
Peak, Mayme. “Harvard’s $5,000,000 Gift: Ex-Ambassador Robert Woods Bliss Says the Donation Is to Provide Endowment for Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Art Collection.” Daily Boston Globe, 13 July 1941, p. B44.
“Give Their Home to Harvard College.” Cambridge Chronicle, 5 Dec. 1940, p. 12.
“Swimming Pool at Historic Estate Given to Harvard Fine Arts Students: Dumbarton Oaks, Presented by Harvard Overseer, Goes Back to Dolly Madison’s Day--Famous Mansion and Wonderful Gardens Long a Show Place in Nation’s Capital.” Daily Boston Globe, 8 Dec. 1940, p. 29.
“Harvard Gets Famous Estate as Center for Art Research: Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D. C., Given to University by R. W. Bliss.” Daily Boston Globe, 1 Dec. 1940, p. 22.
“Bliss Leaves Whole Estate to University.” The Harvard Crimson, 14 May 1962, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1962/5/14/bliss-leaves-whole-estate-to-university/.
Gross, Gerald G. “Blisses Sign Deeds Transferring Estate: Dumbarton Oaks Becomes Property Of U.S. Harvard.” The Washington Post, 1 Dec. 1940, p. 5.