Online Collections
Many of Dumbarton Oaks’ rich collections, including the museum, rare books, and library and archives, are available online. See below for additional collections available through our website, and explore curated collection highlights.
Museum Collections
The Dumbarton Oaks Museum is known for its specialized collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art. Although far-reaching in scope and wide-ranging in stylistic expression, the objects are unified by a rare beauty and refined craftsmanship, the result of the discerning eye of the collectors and founders of Dumbarton Oaks, Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss.
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Explore specialized Byzantine collections below.
Byzantine Seals
Byzantine Coins
Textiles in the Byzantine Collection
Manuscripts in the Byzantine Collection
Rare Book Collection
The Rare Book Collection supports research conducted at Dumbarton Oaks under the auspices of the three programs of study, in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Garden and Landscape Studies. Its holdings combine portions of the reference libraries that the founders of the institution, Mildred Barnes Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss, built to accompany their collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian artifacts. The garden-related materials were added from the late 1940s to support the program in the history of landscape architecture and garden ornament envisaged by Mrs. Bliss.
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Digitized Rare Books
Explore specialized collections below.
Garden Archives
Autograph Letter Collection
Seed Catalogues
Library and Archives
Dumbarton Oaks Research Library exists to advance scholarship in Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies through the comprehensive collection of materials in multiple media, published and unpublished; description and arrangement of those materials and presence of informed staff to ensure efficient access; exhibition of collections; and preservation of knowledge in these disciplines whether in print or digital formats for use by future generations.
Search the library collection, or browse archival holdings and explore specialized collections and resources below.