O Museum in The Mansion, often shortened to the O Museum, is a different kind of museum experience in Washington, DC. You could think of it like an escape room, minus the goal of solving puzzles to escape – rather, you simply focus on discovering all of the secrets and interesting finds the museum has to offer.
The O Museum is contained within a historic, four-story brownstone mansion, which today functions as a boutique hotel and an art gallery treasure hunt. Inside, guests are welcomed to a self-guided tour through more than 100 themed rooms and 80 secret doors. Visitors can spend hours searching through a maze-like interior for vast collections of art, books, antiques, trinkets and music memorabilia.
Exhibits
One standout feature of the museum is the Rosa Parks Room, where the preserved decor offers an authentic glimpse into the space as it appeared during her time there. Another highlight is the John Lennon exhibit, which showcases a collection of art, personal letters, rare studio recordings and more — offering a deeper look into the music legend’s life and legacy.
Alongside rooms for icons, there are rooms to enrich yourself in world history and culture. The Silk Road exhibit is filled with items from China, Japan and areas like Tibet and Mt. Everest. Secret Gardens of Asia houses plants, flowers and porcelain, plus a beautiful cherry blossom tree. American Roots settles you into a lovely log cabin, filled with original Remington bronze sculptures, a hand-carved wooden bear and textiles of the southwest. Nomads features indigenous and modern Mexican art and artifacts.
Plenty to Purchase
Many of these rare items are actually available to purchase and are marked as such. Given the variety of items available, prices can range widely — from a few dollars for souvenirs like decorative objects and gifts to tens of thousands for signed memorabilia and rare artifacts.
Enthusiasts have had the ability to buy guitars autographed by major icons like Willie Nelson. Of course, a number of artworks, like sculptures and architectural pieces, are maintained like a typical museum feature. Many items are donated and the museum even hosts auctions.
Coming Soon
Like other museums, the O Museum is always evolving. One exhibit coming soon is The Art of Comics, Anime & Adventures in the Universe. It will feature works from famous artists, from Stan Lee to Akira Toriyama. Examine original sketches, panels and rare artworks, ranging from the early days of comics to modern anime.
For more info on the museum and its exhibits, click here to visit their website.
Cost: $20-40 ticket price range
Location: 2020 O St. NW, Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 496-2070
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Seth Hagler is a freelance writer and an intern with Washington Parent. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Seth Hagler is a freelance writer and an intern with Washington Parent. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
