Glen Echo in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Heroine's Home
Clara Barton National Historic Site
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 16, 2011
1. A Heroine's Home Marker
Beyond the trees stands a Victorian House as unique as its owner. This house was built for Clara Barton in 1891 by Edward and Edwin Baltzley as part of the National Chautauqua at Glen Echo. With 30 rooms serving as offices, bedrooms, and storage, the house served as a home for Miss Barton and her staff, a warehouse for supplies, and the first permanent headquarters for the American Red Cross. Clara Barton's house is a testament to her character; from her frugality in covering the ceilings with cotton bandages instead of plaster, to her pride in the Red Cross demonstrated by its emblem on stained glass windows, her home reflects the personality of a determined leader and dedicated worker and the overlap between her private and professional lives.
Today, Clara Barton National Historic Site stands as a monument to a true American heroine, a symbol of her humanitarian work and lifetime of service. The house is open daily for free guided tours. Tours start on the hour between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Heroes
this page online
Location. 38° 58.052′ N, 77° 8.432′ W. Marker is in Glen Echo, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Oxford Road, on the left. Located at Parking lot for Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glen Echo MD 20812, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Life of Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Barton House (within shouting distance of this marker); “A riotous country jumble” (within shouting distance of this marker); Minnehaha Creek (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Clara Barton Trail (about 300 feet away); The Hall of Philosophy (about 300 feet away); The Glen Echo Park Yurts (about 500 feet away); Glen Echo Park’s Crystal Pool (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Echo.
Photographed By A Heroine's Home Marker
2. A Heroine's Home Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 16, 2011
3. A Heroine's Home, porch view
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 16, 2011
4. A Heroine's Home
Registered National Historic Landmark: Clara Barton National Historic Site *** (added 1966 - - #66000037) ♦ Also known as Clara Barton House 5801 Oxford Rd. , Glen Echo
♦ Historic Significance: Person
♦ Historic Person: Barton,Clara
♦ Significant Year: 1897
♦ Area of Significance: Social History
♦ Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1875-1899
♦ Owner: Federal
♦ Historic Function: Domestic, Health Care
♦ Historic Sub-function: Hospital, Single Dwelling
♦ Current Function: Landscape, Recreation And Culture, Work In Progress
♦ Current Sub-function: Museum, Park
♦ Historic Significance: Person
♦ Historic Person: Barton,Clara
♦ Significant Year: 1897
♦ Area of Significance: Social History
♦ Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1875-1899
♦ Owner: Federal
♦ Historic Function: Domestic, Health Care
♦ Historic Sub-function: Hospital, Single Dwelling
♦ Current Function: Landscape, Recreation And Culture, Work In Progress
♦ Current Sub-function: Museum, Park
Photographed By J. J. Prats
5. Winter View of The Clara Barton House
This view of the front of the house is from the parking lot.
Photographed By J. J. Prats
6. Winter View of the Northwest Face
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,003 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on April 25, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
