Clara Barton

Clara Barton National Historic Site George Washington Memorial Parkway Maryland Clara Barton Dr. Julian Hubbell (far left), Barton (second from left), and others on the front porch. May 15, 1904, the day after Barton resigned as American Red Cross president. Above: Modern portrait of Barton by Mark English; above left: her Red Cross pin; below: amethyst and smoky topaz brooches, presented to Barton by Grand Duchess Louise of Baden (Germany) to recognize Franco-Prussian War relief work and as tokens of friendship. Clara Barton National Historic Site honors the life and work of this outstanding American humanitarian. This house in Glen Echo, Md., was Barton's home for the last 15 years of her life. Built in 1891, it was first used as a warehouse for Red Cross disaster relief supplies. As of 1897 Barton made it her home and the headquarters for the American Red Cross. Restored to the era of her occupancy, 1897 to J 9 1 2 ' t n e house and its contents underscore a key personality trait: that Clara Barton made little distinction between her work and her personal life. Sunlight shines through stained-glass red crosses in the windows. Open cabinets in the hall store neat stacks of supplies that appear ready for shipment at a moment's notice. Living quarters were available for Red Cross staff or volunteers returning from disaster sites. Barton worked together with her staff in an open office; she More than 2,000 people lost their lives, and thousands were left homeless after the May 31, 1889, flood in Johnstown, Pa. Barton personally directed American Red Cross relief efforts. Barton, age 80, at her desk in her Glen Echo home. "You have never known me without work;" she wrote, "while able, you never will." National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Barton on front porch, ca. 1904. liked to supervise them at all times. The house was modeled on a relief shelter built by the Red Cross in the wake of the 1889 flood in Johnstown, Pa. Barton's frugal habits are still evident. Ceilings, for example, were constructed of painted-over muslin. You must never so much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not; you must never think of anything After Barton's death in 1912 the house was privately owned. Rooms except the need, and how to meet it. -Clara Barton and apartments were rented out to help with the expense of upkeep. In 1963 the Friends of Clara Barton, Inc., purchased the house with preservation in mind. Clara Barton National Historic Site was established in 1974, the first National Park Service site dedicated to the accomplishments of a woman. As you tour the house, examine the many details that illustrate Barton's love for her home. "All seems so home-like, spring-like and peaceful," she once wrote, "that I wonder what can draw me away again." Clara Barton and the American Red Cross You have never known me without work; while able, you never will. It has always been a part of the best religion I had. In an era w h e n w o m e n rarely v e n t u r e d outside t h e sphere of f a m i l y and h o m e , this shy w o m a n rose f r o m a middle-class background t o the ranks of American heroes. Her j o u r n e y is one of det e r m i n a t i o n , bottomless compassion, and an ability t o seize opportunities t h a t came her way. Clarissa H a r l o w e Barton was b o r n t h e youngest of f i v e children on December 25, 1821, in N o r t h O x f o r d , Mass. Stephen and Sarah Barton raised t h e i r family t o value education and public service above personal gain. Clara, as she was k n o w n , started t e a c h i n g school at age 17. In 1854 she moved t o W a s h i n g t o n , D.C., and w o r k e d as a clerk in t h e U.S. Patent Office; she was one o f only a f e w w o m e n e m p l o y e d by t h e Federal G o v e r n m e n t . Situated in t h e nation's capital at t h e o u t b r e a k of t h e Civil War, she was ready f o r t h e w o r k t h a t w o u l d earn her w o r l d w i d e f a m e . "This conflict is one t h i n g I've been w a i t i n g f o r , " she t o l d a f r i e n d . " I ' m w e l l and strong and y o u n g — y o u n g e n o u g h t o g o t o t h e f r o n t . If I can't be a soldier, I'll help soldiers." A t first she solicited donations of supplies f o r Union soldiers, w h i c h she stored in her h o m e . Beginning in 1862 she w e n t o n t o t h e battlefields, risking her life t o nurse t h e w o u n d e d and d y i n g , and w r i t ing letters t o soldiers' families. Barton w o r k e d alongside o t h e r relief groups, such as t h e U.S. Sanitary Commission and U.S. Christian Commission, but she p r e f e r r e d t o w o r k alone, u n h a m pered by organizations and interference. rights f o r African Americans and w o m e n . In her I writings and lectures Barton projected confidence and a u t h o r i t y . Yet t h e private Clara Barton was often fearful and fragile. By 1869 she needed a rest. She traveled t o Europe and there learned of a w o r l d w i d e w a r relief movement. Jean-Henri Dunant, a Swiss banker, had witnessed an 1859 b a t t l e in Italy. M o r e t h a n 30,000 dead and w o u n d e d w e r e left o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d . Horrified, Dunant publicized the need for battlefield relief in his b o o k Un Souvenir de Solferino. His w o r k inspired t h e 1864 Treaty of Geneva, w h i c h set i n t e r n a t i o n a l conventions f o r t r e a t m e n t of t h e w o u n d e d and established t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Red Cross t o aid those suffering as a result of war. A f t e r t h e Civil War, Clara Barton c o n t i n u e d her charitable activities, using her g r o w i n g f a m e t o lend prestige t o her causes. She o p e n e d an office t o seek i n f o r m a t i o n on missing soldiers. She helped identify thousands of gravesites in t h e f o r m e r prison camp at Andersonville, Ga., and was instrumental in establishing its national cemetery. She also spoke publicly in s u p p o r t of Barton w o r k e d w i t h war-stricken civilians d u r i n g t h e Franco-Prussian War. W h e n she r e t u r n e d t o t h e U n i t e d States she was d e t e r m i n e d t o prom o t e t h e idea of t h e Red Cross at h o m e . It was a difficult j o b . She endured bouts of poor health, uncooperative g o v e r n m e n t officials, and public apathy. She persevered, and in 1882 t h e U.S. Senate r a t i f i e d t h e Treaty of Geneva. That year Pamphlet by Clara Barton promoting the U.S. ratification of the 1864 Geneva Conventions. Upper right: Official medal of the International Red Cross. t h e American Red Cross was officially chartered. Clara Barton ran t h e A m e r i c a n Red Cross w i t h the highly personal style she had exhibited during t h e Civil War. As president f r o m 1881 t o 1904 she directed relief, garnered supplies, and expanded t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n . Barton's greatest i n n o v a t i o n was t o e n g a g e t h e Red Cross in peacetime and natural disaster aid, w i t h more t h a n 18 relief efforts t o her credit. Largely because of her influence, t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Red Cross officially recognized peacetime w o r k t h r o u g h its 1884 " A m e r i c a n A m e n d m e n t " t o t h e Geneva Treaty. During t h e Spanish-American War of 1898 76year-old Barton directed relief efforts f r o m Cuba. T h o u g h t h e Red Cross aid was t i m e l y and comp e t e n t , t h e w a r exposed t h e l i m i t a t i o n s of its inner w o r k i n g s as w e l l as its inability t o meet t h e needs of t h e m o d e r n n a t i o n . A l a r m e d , several Red Cross members began t o press f o r Barton's resignation. They considered Barton t o o o l d , disorganized, and unbusinesslike t o deal w i t h t h e e x p a n d i n g Red Cross. She resigned in 1904. American Red Cross field quarters during relief efforts for Sea Island, Ga., hurricane, 1894. Barton r e t u r n e d t o her v o l u m i n o u s correspondence and her interest in t h e f e m i n i s t movem e n t . In 1905 she established t h e National First A i d Association of America t o educate c o m m u nities a b o u t emergency preparedness. A t h o m e in Glen Echo she read, w r o t e , g a r d e n e d , and enjoyed t h e antics of her cats a n d horse. Here she remained until her d e a t h in 1912. Clara Barton's Life and Work Left: Clara Barton ca. 1850; ca. 1865 (by Mathew Brady); and in 1878 wearing pin pictured at top. Right: Barton working with orphans in Cuba. Far right: Barton and staff working at Civil War veterans' encampment on National Mall, 1887. 1821 Born December 25 in N o r t h O x f o r d , Mass. 1825-50 Starts school at age 3 and starts t e a c h i n g at 17. 1850 Attends Clinton Liberal Institute in New York; 1861-65 1865-68 1873 1881 1882 1891 1898 1904 Searches f o r U.S. A r m y soldiers declared missing. Helps establish n a t i o n a l cemetery at Andersonville, Ga. Suffers nervous breakd o w n ; recovers in Dansville, N.Y. U.S. ratifies Treaty of Geneva. A m e r i c a n Red Cross is chartered by President Chester A. Arthur, j o i n i n g t h e Int e r n a t i o n a l Red Cross. Initial construction of t h e house in Glen Echo, M d . First used as a warehouse. Hurricane relief w o r k in Galveston, Texas. Resigns as president o f A m e r i c a n Red Cross. Establishes National First A i d Association o f A m e r i ca in 1905. 1854-60 1864 Works w i t h t h e Intern a t i o n a l Red Cross in Europe. Establishes and heads t h e American Associat i o n of t h e Red Cross. Elected its first presid e n t , serves 23 years, and personally directs relief efforts f o r more t h a n 18 natural disasters and f o r t h e Spanish-American War. Works in Cuba d u r i n g Spanish-American War. Establishes f r e e public school in B o r d e n t o w n , N.J. Aids Civil W a r w o u n d ed at battles of M a n assas (second), A n t i e t a m , Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania. 1902 1912 Attends International Red Cross conference in Russia. Dies at Glen Echo, M d . , A p r i l 12. spends a year f u r t h e r ing her e d u c a t i o n . 1852 Patent Office clerk, W a s h i n g t o n , D.C. Treaty of Geneva establishes Internat i o n a l Red Cross. 1870-71 1877-82 Promotes U.S. r a t i f i c a t i o n of Treaty of Geneva. 1889 Flood relief w o r k , J o h n s t o w n , Pa. 1897 Moves t o Glen Echo warehouse and remodels it into h o m e and headquarters. 1900 Throughout her life Barton treasured the honorary medals, pins, and brooches awarded to her. Most of her collection is housed today in the Library of Congress. From left: Topaz-and-gold brooch and iron cross medal, presented for work in Franco-Prussian War; silver, enamel, and diamond medal for 1896 work in Armenia; gold knot brooch presented by Grand Dutchess of Baden, 1897. CREDITS: CLARA BARTON ILLUSTRATION— © MARK ENGLISH; PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS—NPS / CLBA COLLECTIONS. Warehouse, Headquarters, and Home In 1889 t w i n brothers Edwin and Edward Baltzley, local entrepreneurs, b o u g h t a tract of land in M a r y l a n d along t h e Potomac River and n a m e d it Glen Echo. To p r o m o t e h o m e sales, t h e y established t h e Glen Echo Chautauqua, t h e newest of more t h a n 50 Chautauqua assemblies a r o u n d t h e country whose aim was t o b r i n g e d u c a t i o n , culture, and personal e n r i c h m e n t " t o t h e masses of t h e p e o p l e . " The Baltzley brothers asked Clara Barton t o head up t h e Women's Executive C o m m i t t e e of t h e Chaut a u q u a . The position included t h e o f f e r o f a house nearby. Seeing t h e offer as an o p p o r t u n i t y t o b e n e f i t t h e Red Cross, Barton accepted. Barton chose t h e design of t h e house, m o d e l i n g it on t h e shelters t h a t t h e American Red Cross used d u r i n g f l o o d relief efforts at J o h n s t o w n . In 1891 she moved i n t o t h e Glen Echo structure, but f o u n d t h e n e w c o m m u nity t o o r e m o t e ; indirect t r a n s p o r t a t i o n routes made f o r a l o n g and difficult c o m m u t e into Washington, D.C. Moreover, t h e r e was no t e l e p h o n e service or reliable mail delivery. A t t h e end of t h e Chautauqua season she moved back t o t h e city. For t h e next six years t h e house was a Red Cross warehouse w h e r e disaster-relief supplies w e r e received, opened f o r inspection, stored, and shipped o u t as n e e d e d . By 1897 t h e electric t r o l ley line extended f r o m W a s h i n g t o n , D.C, t o Glen Echo. Barton moved i n t o t h e w a r e h o u s e a n d r e m o d e l e d it f o r use as t h e American Red Cross national headquarters. It was also her home. She directed t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n f r o m here, relying on a constantly c h a n g i n g staff. A n assistant's diary entry in 1898, reads: "Office w o r k t o d a y consists of indexing books, f i l i n g letters, w r i t i n g several letters f o r Miss Barton, and in t h e a f t e r n o o n w r i t ing Dr. Hubbell's r e p o r t o f Sea Island relief, t h e latter t o be used in Miss Barton's b o o k . " Far left: Red Cross relief shelter in Johnstown, Pa., 1889. Left: Postcard view of Clara Barton home, ca. 1907, after addition of scenic rail ride at neighboring Glen Echo Amusement Park. Right: Clara Barton National Historic Site today. The house is restored to the era of her occupancy. The Glen Echo headquarters also served as living quarters f o r an assortm e n t of volunteers and staff members. Barton encouraged her staff t o live here; staff members lived either in f u l l y f u r n i s h e d bedrooms or in storage rooms c o n t a i n i n g f o l d i n g beds or cots. Closets t h r o u g h o u t t h e house stored supplies. Today y o u can see t h e closets b u i l t i n t o t h e main hallway, designed t o resemble paneled walls. From her b e d r o o m in t h e back, Barton had a f i n e v i e w of t h e Potomac River. A f t e r t h e Glen Echo Chautauqua f a i l e d , t h e p r o p e r t y adjacent t o t h e house developed i n t o t h e Glen Echo A m u s e m e n t Park. Occasionally Barton and her staff w o u l d a t t e n d concerts or other events in t h e park. Flower and vegetable gardens, cows, chickens, and a horse gave t h e place a peaceful, countrified air. "She loved her Glen Echo h o m e , " a friend recalled, " a n d used t o say t h e m o o n seemed always t o be shining t h e r e . " Barton resigned as president of t h e American Red Cross in 1904, and t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n m o v e d t o t e m p o r a r y offices in W a s h i n g t o n , D.C. In 1917 it moved i n t o a n e w b u i l d i n g o n 17th Street, N.W., w h e r e it is headquartered today. Barton lived here until her d e a t h at age 90. She died of d o u b l e p n e u m o n i a in her b e d r o o m o n April 12, 1912. The House Today Planning Your Visit The National Park Service has w o r k e d t o restore this " b e a u t i f u l building commemorative of Clara B a r t o n " and w i l l c o n t i n u e t o preserve Clara Barton National Historic Site "sacred t o her m e m o r y . " The restoration is based on extensive research t h r o u g h o r i g i n a l w r i t i n g s , diaries, oral interviews, and p h o t o g r a p h s . Clara Barton National Historic Site was established by Congress in 1974 and presented to the National Park Service in 1975. It is administered by George Washington Memorial Parkway. The park includes Barton's former home and the original oneacre tract, plus about eight acres of additional land. Here y o u can g a i n a sense of h o w Barton and her staff lived and w o r k e d , and y o u can come t o appreciate t h e site in t h e same way visitors did in Clara Barton's l i f e t i m e . As you t o u r t h e house, t r y t o imagine w h a t it was like w h e n Barton lived here. The hallway was adorned w i t h gifts f r o m g r a t e f u l f o r e i g n governments, and rooms o v e r f l o w e d w i t h f r a m e d proclamations of g r a t i t u d e , p h o t o g r a p h s of her relief w o r k , and portraits. The numerous hidden closets held Red Cross supplies. The bustle of volunteers and visitors gave t h e house an earnest and productive atmosphere. Getting t o the Park The park is located off MacArthur Boulevard in Glen Echo, Md., adjacent t o Glen Echo Park. By car it is easily accessible from the Capital Beltway (I-495): Inner Loop— take Clara Barton Parkway (exit 41); Outer Loop—take Glen Echo/ Cabin John Parkway (exit 40). Follow the brown park directional signs located on the parkway and MacArthur Blvd. Additional directions are posted on the park website. Visitors may use the parking lot between the house and Glen Echo Park. Tours and Programs The park is open seven days a week; it is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. The house is shown by guided tour only. Tours start on the hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. Parks as Classrooms school programs are available by reservation. The park hosts several special events throughout the year. Contact the park staff or visit the website for more information or to schedule a group reservation. more about national parks and National Park Service programs in America's communities, visit www.nps.gov. Clara Barton National Historic Site 5801 Oxford Road Glen Echo, MD 208121201 301-320-1410 www.nps.gov/clba Far left: Tulips and irises are cheery spring bloomers on the grounds. Clara Barton flew both the American flag and the Red Cross flag at her home. Right: The front parlor; as was the custom of the day, guests were received here. AGPO2005—310-394/00254 Printed on recycled paper More Information Clara Barton National Historic Site is one of more than 380 parks in the National Park System. The National Park Service cares for these special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. To learn Dr. Julian Hubbell In 1876, w h i l e living in Dansville, N.Y., Clara Barton met a man w h o w o u l d become one of t h e most i n f l u e n t i a l people in her life. Julian Hubbell was a y o u n g chemistry teacher at Dansville Seminary. They became friends, a n d w h e n she t o l d h i m o f t h e Treaty of Geneva and h o w she h o p e d f o r its a d o p t i o n in t h e United States, Hubbell asked w h a t he could do t o help. " G e t a degree in m e d i c i n e , " she replied. Hubbell left his t e a c h i n g position and e n t e r e d t h e University of Michigan's H o m e o p a t h i c Medical College in 1878. A f t e r i n t e r r u p t i n g his e d u c a t i o n t h r e e times t o personally conduct A m e r i c a n Red Cross field relief, he earned his medical degree in 1883. W h e n t h e A m e r i c a n Red Cross was established, he became its chief f i e l d agent. As such he part i c i p a t e d in more f i e l d w o r k d u r i n g relief operations t h a n she d i d . His skillful o r g a n i z a t i o n and q u i e t c o n t r o l w e r e directly responsible f o r much of t h e success of t h e early ARC. His loyalty never w a v e r e d . Like Barton, t h e Red Cross was his life as w e l l as his profession. He supervised construction on t h e Glen Echo house and lived t h e r e w h e n n o t e n g a g e d in field w o r k . W h e n Barton was forced t o resign f r o m t h e Red Cross, he resigned also. Barton deeded t h e house t o Hubbell. Upon her death he and others f o r m e d t h e Clara Barton Memorial Association t o h o n o r her m e m o r y and w o r k . The association had little public support and eventually disbanded. Hubbell was struggling w i t h the care o f t h e house w h e n he was swindled o u t of the property. He f o u g h t t o regain t i t l e and w o n his lawsuit in 1927. Hubbell's Successors A f t e r his d e a t h in 1929 his nieces inherited t h e p r o p e r t y — a n d t h e responsibility o f h o n o r i n g Barton. The Hubbell sisters rented out apartments in t h e house and used the income t o supplement care of t h e property. In 1942 Rena Hubbell sold t h e house t o her f r i e n d , Josephine Franks Noyes. Noyes, and her sisters after her death, continued t o rent rooms and cared f o r t h e h o m e u n t i l it was purchased by t h e Friends of Clara Barton, Inc., in 1963. That g r o u p was instrumental in g e t t i n g t h e p r o p e r t y designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, pushed f o r t h e establishment of t h e Clara Barton National Historic Site, and deeded t h e house and many o r i g i n a l furnishings t o t h e National Park Service in 1975. Upper left: Dr. Julian Hubbell, 1890. Left: Hubbell (third from left), Barton (third from right) and other dinner guests at Glen Echo, 1902. Above: Barton (right center) and other Red Cross workers in Tampa, Fla., 1898, en route to Cuba to aid in the Spanish-American War. Right: Barton ca. 1881 in Dansville, N.Y. While living in Dansville she organized the ARC, established its first local chapter, and was elected its first president. It was in Dansville that she and Hubbell met. Above: Memorial service for Barton at Glen Echo. In accordance with her wishes, she was buried near her family members in Oxford, Mass. Barton died at her Glen Echo home on April 12, 1912, at age 90. CREDITS: ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE FROM NPS / CLBA COLLECTIONS.