The former residence of businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist and collector Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood is known for its large decorative arts collection that focuses heavily on the House of Romanov, including two Fabergé eggs.

After her divorce from her third husband, Joseph E. Davies, Post bought Arbremont, a Georgian Colonial estate in northwest Washington on the edge of Rock Creek Park, renaming it Hillwood, a name she had also used for her former property in Brookville, New York.

After Post acquired the property from the Erwins, she hired the architect Alexander McIlvaine to gut and rebuild its interior.

"[1] As a tribute to Post after her 70th birthday, 181 of her friends built "Friendship Walk," a path from Hillwood's rose garden to a crest overlooking Rock Creek Park.

[1] The Smithsonian declined to make the changes needed to convert Hillwood to a museum, and complained that by 1975 the endowment, producing $450,000 annual income, was insufficient to maintain the site.

Collection highlights include: Additional highlights include tapestries from the 1730s, table services collected by Catherine the Great, Russian Orthodox Church objects such as icons and liturgical vessels, rare lace tablecloths, Wedgwood ceramics, bloodstone objects and jewelry by Harry Winston and Cartier.

The hilly ascent and motor court walls served as a buffer that preserved the mystery of the mansion while on the approach.

Again designed by Innocenti and Webel, the garden was split into four areas using channels of moving water, gravel footpaths and a central pool that is lined with Italian glass tile.

She is accompanied by marble sphinxes, a cherub riding sea animals in the central pool, as well as outdoor furniture from Post's collection.

The rose garden also serves as the location of Post's ashes, which are placed in the base of a pink granite monument that is topped with an antique urn made of deep purple porphyry.

[2] An additional gift from her friends in 1957, four statues representing the seasons stand in a circular overlook surrounded by trees such as magnolia, dogwood, cherry, and crape myrtle.

The center stone of the walkway features an inscription from a postcard by Tsarina Alexandra Feoderovna stating "Friendship outstays the hurrying flight of years and aye abides through laughter and through tears.

"[2] A putting green, frequently used by Post, consists of closely cut bentgrass which is surrounded by Japanese holly.

[2] Named after its crescent shaped design, the Lunar Lawn served as the scene of parties and special events during warm weather months at Hillwood.

The greenhouse serves as horticulture staff offices, work spaces, and home to Hillwoods famous collection of orchids.

Working closely with major events such as Gay Pride and numerous non-profit queer organizations in the region, the Hillwood serves as one of the few cultural institutions reaching out to the LGBT community.