Please find below information regarding Once Upon a Time. We look forward to seeing you! 
Questions? Please contact Toresha King, special events manager, at [email protected].

SUGGESTED ATTIRE

Cocktail attire. 

Activities will take place all across Hillwood's campus, and we hope you enjoy everything this event has to offer! Please take advantage of our coat check and dress for the weather.

PARKING AND RIDESHARE

We strongly recommend utilizing taxis and rideshare for this event. Uber, Lyft, and taxis will be directed to drop off in front of the visitor center's main entrance on the first floor and pick up in front of the mansion's motor court, directly in front of the visitor center conservatory.

Parking is limited, and we are unable to accommodate parking for all guests, which could lead to parking farther away and walking from off-campus areas. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

CHECK-IN

We encourage guests to check in upon their arrival. Check -in is located on the first floor of the visitor center and the second floor of the visitor center conservatory.

The guest list will be at each entrance. To ensure a smooth check-in process, please provide your guest names in advance of the event.

EVENT PROGRAMMING

On Time: Giving Form to the Fleeting – Dacha
Be the first to explore the special exhibition in the dacha. Chief Curator Wilfried Zeisler will be available 8-8:30 p.m. and 9-9:30 p.m. to answer questions.

Red Carpet – Visitor Center, First Floor
Walk the red carpet for a picture in front of the gorgeous step-and-repeat wall. Make sure to use #HillwoodMuseum and #HiFromHillwood when you share your picture on social media. 

Silent Auction – Visitor Center, Second Floor
Browse the fabulous selection of silent auction items in the visitor center conservatory.
Please note: All bidding is online, so you can enjoy Hillwood while monitoring your bids from anywhere. Register today and explore the silent auction! To register, click "Log In" and create an account. You must have an account set up with an associated credit card to bid.

Delicious Bites and Open Bar – Visitor Center, First and Second Floor
Dine on decadent bites both sweet and savory while enjoying an open bar. Try a delicious specialty cocktail and toast the evening. 

Pianists from Howard University – Mansion, Pavilion
Enjoy a program from 7:30–8:15 p.m. and 8:45–9 p.m. featuring groundbreaking composers performed by pianists from the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Art's music department.
Quentin Derac, Zoë-Ruth Brizan, and Obataiye Lyles

Music from Sarah-Mari Ramson – Visitor Center, 1st Floor
Enjoy enchanting music from Sarah-Mari Ramson, a D.C. award-winning harpist who will play in the visitor center 7–9 p.m. 

Photobooth, Dessert and Beverages – C.W. Post                                                                         
Step into our enchanted frame and freeze a moment in time! Enjoy the photobooth from 8-10 p.m. Dessert and beverages will also be available.

Museum Shop – Visitor Center, Second Floor
Find the perfect gift for yourself or someone special in Hillwood's museum shop.

Explore the Collection – Mansion
Explore nearly 5,000 objects from Hillwood's collection of Russian imperial art, French decorative art, and Marjorie Merriweather Post's personal collection of apparel, jewelry, and accessories. 

Explore the Orchid and Tropical Plant Collection – Greenhouse
Pop into the greenhouse, and take a peek at the collection of over 2,000 specimens and hundreds of varieties of exotic flowers. Andrew Bedenbaugh, orchid and tropical specialist, will be available to answer questions at 8 p.m.