Clara Barton National Historic Site, National Park Service

Clara Barton National Historic Site is located in Glen Echo, Maryland. It commemorates Clara Barton's lifetime of achievement with special emphasis on her founding of the American Red Cross and her Red Cross operations. Clara Barton National Historic Site was authorized as a National Historic Site by Congress in 1974. The National Park Service began operation of the site in 1975.

The structure dating from 1891, was first used as the American Red Cross warehouse. It was remodeled in 1897 to serve as the organization's headquarters and Clara Barton's home. It has three stories and 30 rooms and a basement that housed disaster supplies for victims of war and natural disasters, official Red Cross papers, and Barton's personal belongings.

The unusual structure and its contents reflects Barton's strong personality, work style, staffing and organizational needs of the American Red Cross.

The museum objects, documents, and photographs featured in this collection showcase the extraordinary life, tenacious personality, remarkable leadership, and humanitarian contributions of Clara Barton.

Clara Barton National Historic Site Virtual Museum Exhibit

Teaching with Museum Collections Lesson Plans