Highlights and Treasures at Hillwood
Virtual Behind the Scenes Tour
Between 1955-1957, Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) purchased and renovated a magnificent Georgian-style 36 room mansion in northwest Washington DC, originally designed by John Deibert in 1926 and set on twenty-five acres, renamed it Hillwood and hired New York architect Alexander McIlvaine and French & Company and McMillan Inc. to redesign, decorate, and expand the estate. Her intent was to make a museum that would inspire and educate the public. She assembled the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia and a distinguished collection of European decorative arts and paintings. Among the interior highlights, Post had wall display cabinets placed throughout to show off her extensive collection of jewelry and ceramics with an Icon Room built as a dedicated treasury room. The Dining Room was decorated with 18th-century French paneling and furnishings from various periods and with eclectic objects including Dutch paintings of hunting scenes, a 19th century Aubusson carpet, and lapis lazuli and gilt bronze candelabra. The French Drawing Room also features 18th-century French paneling and is decorated with 18th and 19th-century royal furniture and paintings, precious gold boxes, and a suite of Beauvais tapestries after designs by Boucher. The Library, meant for less-formal entertaining, was decorated with warm 18th-century-style English pine paneling and furnished with English antiques. Wilfried Zeisler, Chief Curator, and Rebecca Tilles, Associate Curator of 18th Century French and Western European Fine and Decorative Arts, will lead Royal Oak on a virtual “tour” of this incredible house and collection. We will learn about Post’s passion for collecting and diplomatic career, examine collection highlights, and discover new research about her treasures and upcoming exhibitions.
This virtual tour will be presented live, and our guide will give an illustrated presentation of the tour route with an accompanying talk. Live attendees will have the opportunity to interact via video, audio, and chat during or after the program.
Live tour limited to 30 members.
Fabergé Twelve Monogram Egg, 1896, Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. Photo Edward Owen
