Massachusetts Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Herb Cottage

"Old Baptistry"

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2011

1. Herb Cottage Marker

Inscription. The Herb Cottage was built as the temporary baptistry of Washington National Cathedral. The first Bishop of Washington, Henry Yates Satterlee, commissioned this building from architect T. Henry Randall (1862-1905). It was begun in 1903 and completed in the spring of 1904, several years before the Cathedral itself was begun (in 1907). The entrance to the building was originally through its west door facing Wisconsin Avenue, the major point of access to the Cathedral grounds.

As the construction of the Cathedral progressed, baptism services were conducted in the Cathedral's chapels, and the west aisle of the South Transept was set aside as the Cathedral's baptistry in the 1950s. By 1934 a portion of the "Old Baptistry" was being used as a small shop for plants and seeds under the auspices of the All Hallows Guild. By 1958, this building was in full use as the Herb Cottage, making gifts available to pilgrims and visitors to Washington National Cathedral.

Erected by Washington National Cathedral.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 38° 55.792′ N, 77° 4.279′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Massachusetts

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Heights. Marker can be reached from Wisconsin Avenue Northwest north of Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the entrance to the Herb Cottage, on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bishop's Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Damage Alert! (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Damage Alert! (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Damage Alert! (within shouting distance of this marker); Why Are These Stones Here? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); All Hallows Guild (about 300 feet away); Earthquake Update (about 300 feet away); Twisted Pinnacles! (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2011

2. Herb Cottage Marker

To left of doorway

Herb Cottage image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2011

3. Herb Cottage

Washington National Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2011

4. Washington National Cathedral

View from garden adjacent to the Herb Cottage.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,027 times since then and 129 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.