Clara Barton National Historic Site, in Glen Echo, Maryland, includes the home of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. It is the first national historic site dedicated to the accomplishments of a woman. Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and served as its president from that year until she resigned in 1904. She lived in the Glen Echo house from 1897 until her death in 1912.
Land developers Edward and Edwin Baltzley built the Glen Echo house for Barton in 1891. She wanted the house to fulfill the needs of the Red Cross. The building first served as a warehouse for disaster relief supplies. When Barton decided to move into the house in 1897, she remodeled it as a residence and as a headquarters for the organization. But the building still functioned as a supply warehouse. Red Cross workers also lived in the house.
The Clara Barton National Historic Site contains items related to the formation of the American Red Cross and the organization’s activities during the years that Barton served as its president. The National Park Service restored the Red Cross offices and other areas of the 38-room house.
The United States Congress established the Barton historic site in 1974. The National Park Service took over operation of the site in 1975.
