Clara Barton National Historic Site facts for kids
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Clara Barton National Historic Site
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The Clara Barton House
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5801 Oxford Rd., Glen Echo, Maryland |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Julian B. Hubbell |
| Website | Clara Barton National Historic Site. |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000037 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 12, 1965 |
| Designated NHS | 1974 |
The Clara Barton National Historic Site is a special place that helps us learn about the life of Clara Barton. She was an amazing American pioneer who worked as a teacher and nurse. She is most famous for starting the American Red Cross. This site, which includes her home, was created in 1974. It is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Washington, D.C. in Glen Echo, Maryland.
This National Historic Site protects 9 acres (about 0.04 square kilometers) of land. It includes Clara Barton's large 38-room house in Glen Echo. This was the first national historic site ever dedicated to a woman's achievements. It helps us remember the early days of the American Red Cross. It also preserves the last home where Clara Barton lived. She spent her final 15 years here, from 1897 to 1912. Her house even served as an early office for the American Red Cross.
The National Park Service has worked hard to restore eleven rooms in the house. These include the Red Cross offices, living rooms, and Clara Barton's bedroom. When you visit the Clara Barton National Historic Site, you can see how she lived and worked. You can also learn about all the important things she did. Visitors can take a guided tour through the three levels of her unique home.
Clara Barton's Unique Home
Clara Barton's house is quite special. It was partly built using wood from emergency buildings. These buildings were put up by the Red Cross after the terrible Johnstown Flood of 1889. After the flood, the Red Cross took down these buildings. They brought the wood to Washington D.C. using the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This helped avoid flooding the wood market in Johnstown.
The wood was stored in Washington D.C. until 1891. That's when construction started on land given by Edwin and Edward Baltzley. They were creating a special learning community called a Chautauqua assembly in Glen Echo. Dr. Julian B. Hubbell designed the house. He was the first field agent for the American Red Cross. He also watched over the building work.
The house first had a big stone front. This matched the other buildings in the Chautauqua area. But in 1897, when Clara Barton moved in for good, the middle part of the stone front was removed. This created two stone towers on either side. Pointed roofs were added to these towers, making the tall, narrow house look even more striking.
Inside the House
Even though the house is very big, it's not fancy. It was designed to be useful and practical. The inside of the house looks a bit like a Mississippi River steamboat. It has 36 rooms and 38 closets! There are three levels of rooms. These rooms face a central open area. This area gets light from special windows called clerestory windows, which are made of colored glass.
The Clara Barton House was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
