Retrofitted historic homes in Washington, Virginia

The Josephine Butler Parks Center, located at 2437 15th Street Northwest in Washington, DC, is a 40-room, 18,000 square-foot Renaissance Revival mansion overlooking Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. Operated by Washington Parks & People, the center serves as a "greenhouse" for restoring DC parks and green spaces, and incubates community-based nonprofits aligned with their mission. The award-winning restoration features environmental retrofitting and modern adaptations to serve the needs of the community. Formerly the Embassy of Hungary and Brazil, the historic mansion was designed by architect George Oakley Totten Jr. and was once home to Mary Foote Henderson, a prominent figure in Washington's cultural history. The area around the Parks Center is rich in history, with ties to Native American spiritual grounds, Civil War hospitals, and notable figures like President John F. Kennedy.