Hillwood Estate and Gardens

 

Top right and around-Entry Hall, Library,

Dining Room, and Breakfast Room.

Catching up on a May trip to 

The Hillwood Estate and Gardens in Washington, DC.

It was the home of Marjorie Post- heir 

to the Postum Cereal Company which became General Foods.

Marjorie Post (1887-1973) was among the 

wealthiest women of her time. 

She was an astute business woman 

and also was very focused on collecting French and Russian art.

The icons and chalices represent the many objects that Post 

purchased at sales and commission shops in the 1930's 

in the Soviet Union. She spent 18 months there (1937-1938) 

with her husband who was Ambassador Joseph Davies. 

During this time the Soviet government was yet 

selling imperial treasures to finance the plan for industrialization.

 Her collection at Hillwood is the most extensive collection

 of Russian imperial art outside of Russia.

The bedroom suite of Marjorie Post.

Post purchased Hillwood as her spring and fall Residence.

She spent winters in Palm Beach, Florida 

at Mar-A-Lago- (the current owner is Donald Trump).

Summers she spent in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Her lifestyle was lavish and she was also very generous

  with her charitable contributions.A Mother's Day visit was delightful with the flowers

in bloom on a blue sky day.The grounds are stunning and reflect the graciousness 

of Marjorie Post who bequeathed the 25 acre estate

 to future generations with an endowment for its care.

This gorgeous bouquet of peonies

 created guests at the welcome center.

Marjorie Post's collection is truly a fine gift

 to the world and we will back with a picnic lunch

 to enjoy the grounds.