Events &amp; Exhibits

Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Centered on the paintings of botanical artist Margaret Mee, this exhibit explores the traditions of women botanical artists and illustrators primarily using materials from the Rare Book Collection.

Highlights from the Collections

Discover our collections in a selection of curated online exhibits

Dumbarton Oaks Response to COVID-19

As a public health precaution, the Museum and Garden are closed temporarily. In addition, Dumbarton Oaks will cancel all public events through the end of June.

We are closely monitoring developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and will update our website to reflect any changes to our operations and programming.

Online Exhibits

Explore curated selections from across our collections in a series of online exhibits. Select recent exhibits below, or view them all.

Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Centered on the paintings of botanical artist Margaret Mee, this exhibit explores the traditions of women botanical artists and illustrators primarily using materials from the Rare Book Collection.

Written in Knots: Undeciphered Accounts of Andean Life

Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, the people of South America had a system of recorded information that was portable, precise, and so complex that it remains undeciphered today.

Dumbarton Oaks Conversations

This exhibition of photographs, documents, and publications highlights the meeting of the diplomatic and personal spheres at the Dumbarton Oaks Conversations, from which emerged a tentative agreement that was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the United Nations Charter in 1945.

Upcoming Events

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Oct 09, 2020 - Oct 10, 2020

Faces of Rulership in the Maya Region

Through this two-day symposium, scholars aim to better understand concepts of rulership and governance in Ancient Maya culture.

Special Exhibitions

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Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Ancient Art at Dumbarton Oaks

February 10, 2020–July 2021

Music at Dumbarton Oaks

Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss designed Dumbarton Oaks to be beautiful without and within, filling the gardens with flowers, the library with rare volumes, and the house itself with fine art and music. Music at Dumbarton Oaks, founded in 1946 as the Friends of Music, continues this tradition with classical concerts from established and rising musicians.

The 2020–2021 Music at Dumbarton Oaks concert series has been postponed to 2021–2022. Please read this message for more information.

Learn More Early-Career Musician Residency