Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site adventure.
A three-story Victorian house in Washington DC marks an important site for civil rights. Mary McLeod Bethune's house served as the headquarters for the National Council of Negro Women. Her organization advanced the opportunities and the quality of life for African-American women. Founded in 1935, the NCNW still exists today.
The Bethune Council House displays artifacts from the Civil Rights leader's life. You can also see materials relating to the history of African-American women.
At her desk, you can imagine the civil rights leader writing letters. Her trusty typewriter clicked and clacked as she typed official letters. She held meetings here, responded to mail and employed women to help run the NCNW. Meanwhile, Bethune was also director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration. Appointed by FDR, she helped direct the NYA from her red-brick house.
Not only was this gorgeous home an office, but it was her retreat from everyday affairs. Three velvet chairs surround a large piano in one room. A nearby mantel and fireplace added a homey touch.
Compared to other monuments in the nation's capital, the Bethune Council House is relatively innocuous. However, it's no less important to the history of the United States. The Bethune Council House deserves a spot on your trip's itinerary.