This 8.78 acre (3.55 hectares)[1] site is administered by the National Park Service as a part of Rock Creek Park[2] When the District was authorized by Congress in 1790,[3] the land in the area of the park was farmland raising wheat and tobacco, but the park was likely wood land as it was too steep and rough for farming.

Beginning in 1887, Francis G. Newlands, later to become a member of United States House of Representatives and United States Senate from Nevada and William Morris Stewart, former Senator from Nevada, began purchasing property west of Rock Creek Park.

In 1939, Edith McAllister Newlands, widow of Senator Newlands, died and left 3 acres that she designated by her as "little forest" to the District as a memorial to her husband.

In 1948, the land was transferred to the National Park Service under the condition that it be held in memory of Senator Newlands.

[2] The park remains mostly undeveloped other than a couple of walking trails established by residents in the neighborhood.