The United States National Historic Site protects 9 acres (0.04 km2) of land at her Glen Echo home including the 38-room former residence of Barton.

The first national historic site dedicated to the accomplishments of a woman, it preserves the early history of the American Red Cross and the last home of its founder.

Barton spent the last 15 years of her life in her Glen Echo home (1897–1912), and it served as an early headquarters of the American Red Cross as well.

The lumber of the dismantled buildings was brought to Washington via the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to avoid flooding the local market in Johnstown.

The lumber was stored on a lot owned by Barton in Washington D.C. until early in 1891 when construction began on land donated by Edwin and Edward Baltzley, who were developing a Chautauqua assembly at Glen Echo.

[6] The NPS restored eleven rooms, including the Red Cross offices, parlors and Clara Barton's bedroom.