In addition to the many superb museums listed in this section, there are many wonderful lesser-known ones around the city, usually focusing on very specific interests. They don't appeal to everyone, but if you're a buff of some kind, you might find one of them fascinating. Don't try to drop in without calling, because most of these museums are not open daily and some require appointments.
Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW (tel. 202/785-2040): A century-old, 50-room mansion of amazing design and impressive art and furnishings. The mansion is headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati, which was founded in 1783 by Continental officers (including George Washington) who had served in the American Revolution. Metro: Dupont Circle.
Art Museum of the Americas, 201 18th St. NW, within the Organization of American States (tel. 202/458-6016): Permanent collection of 20th-century Latin American art. Metro: Farragut West, then walk south about 6 blocks.
Capital Children's Museum, 800 3rd St. NE (tel. 202/675-4120): Hands-on educational complex. Metro: Union Station.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Museum, 1776 D St. NW (tel. 202/879-3241): Early American furnishings and decorative arts. Metro: Farragut West, then walk south about 5 blocks.
Decatur House, 748 Jackson Place (tel. 202/842-0920): Historic house museum with permanent collection of Federalist and Victorian furnishings. Metro: Farragut West or McPherson Square.
Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW (tel. 202/337-2288): Another historic house museum, with a permanent collection of 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture and decorative arts. Metro: Dupont Circle, with a 20-minute walk along Q Street.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE (tel. 202/426-5961): Last residence of the famous African-American 19th-century abolitionist. Metro: Anacostia, then catch bus no. B2, which stops right in front of the house.
Hillwood Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW (tel. 202/686-8500): Newly renovated estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, who collected art and artifacts of 18th-century France and Imperial Russia. Formal gardens, grand rooms, high tea. Metro: Van Ness or Cleveland Park.
Interior Department Museum, 1849 C St. NW (tel. 202/208-4743): Permanent exhibits relating to American historical events and locales, including murals by prominent Native American artists, newly on view on the ninth floor. Metro: Farragut West, then walk about 6 blocks south.
Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW (tel. 877/337-3050 or 202/227-3050): This museum in a residential neighborhood is a treasure trove of art from the 1850s to 1970s, including Impressionist paintings and the works of many American artists. No Metro; take a cab.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Ave. NW (tel. 202/673-2402): Last residence of African-American activist/educator Bethune, who was a leading champion of black and women's rights during FDR's administration. Metro: McPherson Square.
National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW (tel. 202/272-2448): Housed within a historic building of mammoth proportions is this fine museum devoted to architecture, building, and historic preservation. Metro: Judiciary Square.
Octagon, 1799 New York Ave. NW (tel. 202/638-3105): Another historic house museum, it also features exhibits on architecture (its neighbor is the American Institute of Architects headquarters). Metro: Farragut West.
Old Stone House, 3051 M St. NW (tel. 202/426-6851): 1765 structure said to be the oldest in D.C. still standing on its original foundations. Colonial appearance, English garden. Metro: Foggy Bottom, with a 15-minute walk.
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Rd. NE (tel. 202/635-5400): A large multimedia facility that uses interactive presentations to engage visitors of all denominations in exploring issues of religion, world culture, and spirituality in the new millennium. Metro: Brookland-Catholic University; the center runs a free shuttle every 30 minutes on the half-hour between the Metro stop and the center.
Sewall-Belmont House, 144 Constitution Ave. NE (tel. 202/546-3989): A must for those interested in women's history, the historic house displays memorabilia of the women's suffrage movement, which got its start here. Metro: Union Station.
Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW (tel. 202/667-0441): Historic and contemporary handmade textile arts, housed in historic John Russell Pope mansion. Metro: Dupont Circle, Q Street exit, then walk a couple of blocks up Massachusetts Avenue until you see S Street.
Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW (tel. 202/965-0400): An 1816 mansion with gardens, home to Martha Washington's descendants until 1984. Metro: Dupont Circle, with a 25-minute walk along Q Street.
United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (tel. 202/737-2300): Outside plaza honors men and women of the U.S. Navy; museum features interactive video kiosks used to learn about Navy ships, aircraft, and history. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial.
Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW (tel. 202/387-4062): The intriguing former home of this president, preserved the way it was when he lived here in the 1920s. Docents guide visitors on hour-long tours, pointing out objects, such as the French Gobelin tapestry given to Wilson by the French ambassador, and the marble mosaic gift from Pope Benedict; telling stories about our 28th president (he liked to whistle the tune "Oh You Beautiful Doll" to his beloved wife, Edith). Metro: Dupont Circle, then walk a couple of blocks up Massachusetts Avenue until you reach S Street.
