Tregaron Estate

The 20-acre Tregaron Estate lies between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park in Northwest Washington and borders on a small strip of Rock Creek Park. Its once-majestic landscape is being rehabilitated by the Tregaron Conservancy, which uses donations to restore the woodland gardens and maintain 13 acres set aside in perpetuity as open green space. The Conservancy’s land surrounds the original mansion, greenhouse, dacha, gardener’s cottage, and carriage house (now home to the Washington International School). These buildings, combined with its landscape, earned Tregaron Estate the status of a DC historic landmark in 1979, as well as a site on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

The Conservancy is now cleaning up and stabilizing the landscape, where extensive bridle paths and pedestrian trails have been restored.  More than 50 trees, 2,000 daffodils, numerous bushes and a variety of flowers have been planted. The lily pond has 70 aquatic plants, many goldfish and a pair of ducks.

Tregaron is the most important surviving collaboration of noted architect Charles Adams Platt, who designed the mansion in 1912 in the Country House style, and landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman.  Although the rehabilitation is a work in progress, Tregaron Estate offers visitors an extensive trail system throughout the woodlands, lily ponds, gardens, meadows, and streams.  Tregaron is an urban jewel.

Travel Tips

Practicing “forensic gardening,” the Tregaron Conservancy is resurrecting magnificent stonework. For instance, look for stairs leading to a gorgeous marble patio, which was returned to a position overlooking the restored lily pond.  Small arched stone bridges and several lovely waterfalls have been unearthed.

Birders, bring your binoculars. Over 60 species of birds have been identified.

Travel Information

Directions to the 3100 Macomb Street entrance:
Take the Metro red line to the Cleveland Park Metro Station, walk south on Connecticut Avenue, turn right on Macomb and walk about two blocks.

Directions to the original entrance, off Klingle Road:
From Wisconsin Avenue, turn east onto Woodley Road, passing the National Cathedral.  At the stoplight at Woodley and 34th, stay on Woodley Road and proceed straight for three more blocks until Woodley starts to curve right.  Take a slight left onto Klingle Road.  The fence gate entrance to Tregaron will be directly on your left (the north side of the street). It is not too difficult to find street parking. There is a large sign at the Tregaron entrance, but no address.

For more information, visit www.tregaronconservancy.org