Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
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Home of the founder and the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
How to get there
- McPherson Square • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
18 reviews
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JoeNathan9249
Saint Paul, MN6,027 contributions
Jun 2022
A hero of the civil rights movement, and an example of the role that courageous women have played in the "strive for justice." Decades before Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Bethune was able to make important progress. This is a shrine to courage and persistance.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doublenaturelover
Kissimmee, FL134 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
The Ladies on duty today were very helpful. Taught me a lot about History of African American I did not know. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. Carried the information back and shared it with many others. I did forget to ask what the area of apartment houses were called. Unfortunately I got a new phone and lost all my pictures.
Written March 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Toronto, Canada2,863 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
Mary McLeod Bethune was one of America's most influential African-American black women. She was founder of the National Council of Negro Women (which still exists today) and an adviser to several Presidents.
This national historic site was the home of the Council from 1943 until 1966 when it was severely damaged by a fire. It also served as Mary McLeod Bethune's home when she was in Washington.
While the historic property is an important site for African-American history it does not offer much of significant interest. There are numerous photos on the wall of Mary McLeod Bethune but little else on display. You can watch an interesting film in what was the conference room and tour the upstairs rooms which include Mary McLeod Bethune's bedroom and office.
What made the tour of particular interest was the passion and knowledge of the National Park Service ranger who served as my guide (I was the only visitor when I dropped by on a Monday afternoon). While I don't recall her name (she was African-American) she made the tour worthwhile.
The site will not be of much interest to younger visitors but is a worthwhile detour if you have a keen interest in African-American history.
This national historic site was the home of the Council from 1943 until 1966 when it was severely damaged by a fire. It also served as Mary McLeod Bethune's home when she was in Washington.
While the historic property is an important site for African-American history it does not offer much of significant interest. There are numerous photos on the wall of Mary McLeod Bethune but little else on display. You can watch an interesting film in what was the conference room and tour the upstairs rooms which include Mary McLeod Bethune's bedroom and office.
What made the tour of particular interest was the passion and knowledge of the National Park Service ranger who served as my guide (I was the only visitor when I dropped by on a Monday afternoon). While I don't recall her name (she was African-American) she made the tour worthwhile.
The site will not be of much interest to younger visitors but is a worthwhile detour if you have a keen interest in African-American history.
Written May 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mja1982
Woodridge, IL609 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
We were the only two people in the place when we visited and having a private tour was essential. We learned a lot about this amazing woman that we didn't know. I have to think that if you go at any off hour you will probably get the same - the park ranger was extremely accommodating and helpful. Don't need more than a half an hour but if you are in the area and interested in history stop by and learn something.
Written February 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay M
Saint Paul, MN167 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Once you get there, it's worth the trip to visit. For some reason, the NPS doesn't list the hours on their website. Just to help others, the House is open from 1000-1400 Thursday to Saturday with tours on the top of the hour. So, onto the highlights.
To fully understand the historic significance of this house, you should take both the ranger led tour here along with the Smithsonian Museum of African American history. The tour is very informative and you learn more than even at the NMAAHC due to the small tour size and ability to ask more questions of the park ranger. Small gift shop with some neat items.
Recommend visiting this great piece of American history and then grab some lunch or dinner at Arepazone.
To fully understand the historic significance of this house, you should take both the ranger led tour here along with the Smithsonian Museum of African American history. The tour is very informative and you learn more than even at the NMAAHC due to the small tour size and ability to ask more questions of the park ranger. Small gift shop with some neat items.
Recommend visiting this great piece of American history and then grab some lunch or dinner at Arepazone.
Written May 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SJH3827
Springfield, MA92 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This is the only national park (and we've been to 235 so far!) where we had to knock on the door and wait to be let in. That was a clue as to how infrequently folks visit this site. Mary McLeod Bethune was an amazing woman, and we were so glad to learn about her here. However, our tour guide was less than inspiring (He fell asleep during the film! I really couldn't blame it; it was rather dull) Ususally the park service does a better job in bringing historical figures to life.
Written June 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noel J
Evanston, IL456 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Somehow we seem to understate the contributions of some people and we need to have sites such this to be more robust so that visitiors can better capture why it is important.
Written May 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,150 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
This house was the location of Mary McLeod Bethune's National Council of Negro Women until 1966. She founded the organization and Bethune-Cookman college and hosted many famous dignitaries and civil rights leaders at this house while she managed the Council.
The House is only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is a free half hour tour of two of the floors of the House, which has several original pieces of furniture and many photos of McLeod Bethune. It does not take long to visit this site and it is worth visiting to learn this important history.
The House is only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is a free half hour tour of two of the floors of the House, which has several original pieces of furniture and many photos of McLeod Bethune. It does not take long to visit this site and it is worth visiting to learn this important history.
Written June 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VACanary
Alexandria, Virginia, USA45 contributions
Nov 2015
Park Service guide gave a very informative talk before we toured the house. Gift shop has small but excellent selection of books for all ages, plus other non-book gifts. I learned lots here that was missing from textbooks or simply not emphasized in school when I was growing up.
Written December 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ProfAragon
Victoria, Canada1,027 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House is quant and worth visiting just for the architecture let alone the deep history about her work! I suggest the tour.
Written October 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it difficult to find parking for this National Park Sight and is there free parking?
Written September 20, 2019
There's parking on the street out front. I think it's metered but can't remember.
Also, please please check out the times from my review. I would hate to see you show up and it be closed.
Written October 14, 2019
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