Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument

Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument shares the history of the fight for women's equality

Quick Facts

Location:

144 Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC

Significance:

Home of the National Woman's Party founded by Alice Paul

Designation:

National Monument, National Historic Landmark

Amenities

6 listed

Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Junior Ranger Activity, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Public Transit, Restroom

Located at 144 Constitution Avenue NE on Capitol Hill, the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument preserves the historic home of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) and honors the ongoing struggle for women’s equality in the United States. Built in 1800 as a brick federal-period house, it is one of the oldest residential buildings in Washington, D.C. The house was originally owned by Robert Sewall, briefly rented to Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin, and burned during the British invasion of 1814. It was rebuilt by 1820 and underwent several renovations over the centuries.

In 1929, the house was purchased by the NWP to serve as its national headquarters and renamed the Alva Belmont House, in honor of the party’s primary benefactor. Under the leadership of Alice Paul, the NWP used the house as a hub for organizing marches, lobbying Congress, and publishing their newspaper, Equal Rights. The house was central to campaigns for the 19th Amendment, the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and international women’s equality initiatives, including work with the League of Nations, the Inter-American Commission of Women, and the United Nations.

The property was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974 and became a National Monument in 2016. Today, it houses the NWP’s historic collection, including banners from suffrage pickets, the “Jailed for Freedom” pins, keys to the D.C. jail where activists were imprisoned, and Susan B. Anthony’s desk. These artifacts provide a tangible link to the women who fought for political, social, and economic equality.

Visitors can explore the historic house and its exhibits, which feature period rooms, original woodwork, and displays of NWP archives, textiles, banners, and other artifacts documenting the suffrage and equality movements. The site offers educational programs, lectures, and tours, highlighting the history of women’s activism and the ongoing fight for gender equality. The gardens and outdoor spaces, once used for gatherings and commemorations, remain a contemplative part of the experience.

The house is open to the public for tours and programs, allowing visitors to see where key strategies and campaigns for women’s rights were organized and to connect the history of the NWP with contemporary efforts for equality. It remains a living center for education and advocacy, continuing the mission of Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party.