ABOUT WOODEND
HISTORY & AWARDS
Built in 1927, Woodend was designed by John Russell Pope (Jefferson Memorial, DAR Constitution Hall, National Gallery of Art, etc.) for the Wells family. In 1969, the family donated Woodend to the Audubon Naturalist Society (now Nature Forward).
Woodend has received many industry awards and recognition over the years as a venue for social and corporate events.
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Woodend was a wonderful setting for our wedding. We were sold on the historic house and the beautiful property, particularly the tree-lined grove.
Katey & Chris, May ‘16
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Woodend was the backdrop for the fall wedding of my dreams. If you want to be snow white frolicking in the forest among deer and bunnies, this is the place for you.
Lauren, Oct ‘15
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Woodend isn't just a great place. It's the perfect place if you're going to have a fall wedding. My wife and I just got married there over the weekend and it was something out of a dream. You know, when you're going through the wedding process, everyone always tells you that some things will go wrong and that on the day of, only you and your partner will notice it. I can honestly say that nothing went wrong and everything was perfect. The venue and wedding was everything my wife imagined and then some.
Saam, Oct ‘15
WOODEND AND NATURE FORWARD (formerly Audubon Naturalist Society)
The mansion and the property were bequeathed to the former Audubon Naturalist Society, now Nature Forward, provided it was kept as a nature sanctuary. Nature Forward inspires residents of the greater Washington, DC, region to appreciate, understand, and protect their natural environment through outdoor experiences, education, and advocacy.
Historic Woodend is adjacent to Rock Creek Park, has hiking trails open year-round, and is a well-known location for bird watching, environmental education for children and adults, summer camps, corporate retreats, and eco-friendly weddings.
We encourage you to do a web search on “Woodend Sanctuary” and “Woodend Weddings” to view the many listings and endless photos of Woodend posted and pinned online by photographers, event professionals, brides, and grooms.