The Secret Door Museum

Exploration and Discovery — Every Step Tells A Story

We weave storytelling, the arts, music, sports, science, and history into each program to guide our individual journey's toward understanding.

The only museum of its kind, the O Museum in The Mansion is dedicated to exploring the creative process. We inspire creativity, diversity and imagination through the fusion of the arts, music, science and sports. We empower people to dare to be different — and achieve things beyond what they know.

When you visit this unique attraction on your next Washington DC trip, you'll find your way through immersive themed exhibits, art galleries, secret doors (we have over 80 of them!), and covert passages to a world never experienced. You'll be walking in the footsteps of presidents and freedom fighters, historians and authors, artists and musicians, athletes, scholars and many more.

Named "The coolest place in DC" by Booking.com we are a fun museum with unique collections that promote and embrace life, from every culture, resulting in a wide-ranging collection of paintings, photographs, sculpture, books, artifacts, music, sports, science, and architecture from all over the globe. From the art, to the music, to the surroundings, no visit is ever the same.

Click on each of the images to watch a video


  • "Through the Looking Glass Exhibition" at O Museum with Robert James Studio

  • Sculptors of "Through The Looking Glass" Exhibit at The O Museum

  • The Pawn Stars Visit O Museum

  • Cicely Tyson and Miles Davis at The Mansion on O Street

  • Allyson Felix's Rio Olympics Running Spike - the Most Decorated U.S. Olympic Track Athlete Ever

  • Traveling Wilburys Promo Guitars

  • The Genesis of O Museum’s Secret Doors

  • The Fifth Dimension Room at O Museum in The Mansion

  • Newest Secret Door!

  • Have you seen the Halloween Room at The O?

  • Muppet shoes!

  • Britney Spears Guitar!

  • Explore The O with our intern Gus!

  • Every Step Tells a Story (Full Show)

  • The Log Cabin Room & James Patterson's Best Selling Book Four Blind Mice

  • New Immersive Experience, Chucky's Room

  • About O Museum in The Mansion

  • O Museum at a Pawn Stars Auction

  • Heroes & Artist-in-Residence Programs at O Museum

  • How O Museum Got It's Start

  • O Museum's Mission

  • The Billiards Room at O Museum in The Mansion

  • Sneek Peek of O Museum's New Exhibit - "Through The Looking Glass"

  • Bruce Springsteen Signed Guitar

  • Rare Wizard of Oz Books

  • Paul McCartney of The Beatles Signed Guitar

  • Traveling Wilburys Guitars

  • The Mother of The Civil Rights Movement Signed Statue

  • Miss USA Crown Up Close at O Museum in The Mansion

  • Mrs. Rosa Parks & O Museum in The Mansion

  • Bring on the music and dance with us!

  • Angels Exist - A True Story Of Angels at O Museum in The Mansion

  • We'll Be Dancing Together Again Soon!

  • Music & Magic at O Museum. Featuring Felix Cavaliere: Everytime She Tells Me That She's Mine

  • Artifact Stories: Room Magic

  • We celebrate the hero in each and everyone of us.

  • Artifact Story: Traveling Wilburys

  • Artifact Stories: Musical Bathroom!

  • Artifact Stories: Norman Rockwell

  • Artifact Stories: Vanilla Ice the Electrician

  • Artifact Story: John Lennon's Psychic

  • Artifact Stories: The John Lennon Bathroom

  • Artifact Stories: Puzzling!

  • The Mansion on O Street

  • Ted Talks Books at the Mansion on O Street

  • Stories From Within: Cordell

  • O Museum Artifact Story: Mrs. Rosa Park's Congressional Medal of Honor Maquette

  • O Museum Artifact Story: Russian Samovar

  • When H and Rosa Parks met the Pope

  • Tik Tok McCartney Fast Final

Here you will find original artwork by Mersad Berber, Frederick Hart, Gerald Johnson, Jimi Hendrix and others; artist's letters; sports, movie, and music from rare Beatles memorabilia, to Janis Joplin's guitars and Bob Dylan's guitar when he was inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, Miss USA's crown, Prince's Purple Rain Jacket, the flag that flew over Merrill Lynch during 9-11, and an original letter written by John Lennon. Our galleries are not limited to one genre so you'll also find written manuscripts, rare photos, art; pop art, modern art, etchings, photography, pop-culture, and signed guitars (we have more than 60).

O Street Museum offers an immersive, tactile experience making it one of DC's most unique attractions. Guests will search for hidden doors, leaf through manuscripts, touch sculpture, hear rare studio cuts, and tour through an array of diverse achitectual styles, secret doors, and our legendary themed exhibits — like the Log Cabin, the John Lennon Suite, the Safari room, and Mrs. Rosa Parks' room (we were her home-away-from-home for nearly 10 years).

Our History

Located in our Nation's Capital, The O is located in a series of five interconnected town houses that includes over 100 rooms and over 70 secret doors.

Designed in 1892 by Edward Clark, architect for the US Capitol two centuries ago, the buildings were interconnected and served as a home for himself, his brother James "Champ" Clark, Speaker of the House (during Teddy Roosevelt's Presidency), and a third brother, known as "the artist." Additional plans to replace the side garden with an adjoining home for their sister never came to fruition, although the archway to her house was one brick away from "being there".

Originally spanning three row houses (it now spans five), the residence was connected through the basement and main floor and contained separate sleeping quarters for each brother upstairs. As one of the last architects working on the U.S. Capitol between the 19th & 20th century, Clark incorporated left over tiles and wood from the Capitol into his new home - rich in detail, these items and detailed woodworking by August Grass (who also worked on the Heinrich Mansion) can still be found there today. A testament to the fine craftsmanship, it is believed to be the last, virtually intact, private residence of that period in Washington, D.C.

In the 1930's the home was converted into three separate rooming houses for FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's G-men. To combat the rise of organized crime, outlaws, and gangsters J. Edgar Hoover formed the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These new agents became known by the name G-men (short for "Government Man"). Their operations were covert and the agents were so little known that they were often confused with Secret Service or Prohibition Bureau agents.

In the 1960's, the student leaders of the protest movement lived at 2020 O Street now home to O Street Museum. Norman Mailer wrote about them - and the house - in his book "Armies of the Night".

From 1977 to 1990 "America’s Black Forum", a nationally syndicated news broadcast, & "Sounds of the City", a black radio series both recorded at 2016 O St. "America’s Black Forum" is one of the longest running U.S. syndicated television series and is now produced and recorded at TV One.

UniWorld Group, Inc., (the parent company of Uniworld Entertainment, UniWorld Hispanic and UniWorld Healthcare) run by Walker Williams and Byron Lewis was also housed in 2016 O St. until it was sold to us and reconnected to the original buildings in 1990.  Walker was a Mansion on O Street Board Member for over 30 years.  

On February 14, 1980 the property was purchased by H.H. Leonards, with the intent to restore its original character by reconnecting the row houses. In 1985, nearly a century after its original construction, she transformed the garden site into a unique five-story companion annex - completing the Clarks' dream.

A resident of The Mansion and supporter of O Street for over a decade - Mrs. Parks was a mother figure and mentor to Founder, H.H. Leonards. She entertained friends, dignitaries and guests while she was with us and hosted a Sunday gospel brunch each month. You can see her room on the third floor along with many of her signed letters and artifacts in the museum collection.

In the spring of 1999, Jay Bothwell- architect, developer and good neighbor of The Mansion- donated marble pieces from the Washington Monument construction project that was going on at that time. These pieces can be found in the back of The Mansion.

Today, the property consists of more than 100 rooms of varying architectural, artistic and design periods, from the Victorian Age to Art Deco/Avant Garde. Highlights include hand painted ceilings (so you look up, and out of your self), original Tiffany stained glass windows, a two-story Log Cabin and the secluded Art Deco penthouse with private elevator.

Most of the artifacts in the collection - the signed guitars, memorabilia, documents, letters and more - have been donated by their original owners who support The Museum's mission and stay at The Mansion.

The best thing about any art form is that it provides an outlet to get your thoughts and ideas into the open. But the rewards of art don't stop with the creative process, for art is an expression of love that has a lasting effect. This effect is felt not just in the giving and receiving, but in the telling, the creating-and in the freedom to express one's feelings.

The O Street Museum Foundation was created for everyone to share and collaborate within - and then go out into the world, where anything is possible, and dreams can be made real.

People are often afraid to approach art (and we use the word in the broadest of terms to include one of the greatest forms of art, scientific discovery) because they feel inadequate and inferior to the "artist" and/or artistic creation. But as raw music demonstrates (the process the artist takes before it hits the air waves), art is the result of hard work and devotion to the process.

An artist is a spiritual carpenter and a craftsman. Everyday he/she goes to work, to apply their knowledge and create their work. Creativity manifests itself in many different forms making artists out of many you wouldn't ordinarily consider. Top Fortune 500 CEOs for example possess a rich artistic vision - solving complex problems by imagining the unimaginable. That's what art is.

Secrets & Spies

From it's rich history, to it's secret doors and hidden alcoves, mystery and intrigue are part of O Street's DNA. In the 1930's the home was converted into three separate rooming houses for FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's G-men. To combat the rise of organized crime, outlaws, and gangsters J. Edgar Hoover formed the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These new agents became known by the name G-men (short for "Government Man"). Their operations were covert and the agents were so little known that they were often confused with Secret Service or Prohibition Bureau agents.

Mrs. Rosa Parks, The Mother of The Civil Rights Movement & The O

Mrs. Parks’ story, legacy, and connection to African American history in Washington, D.C. is little known — and yet, critical to the work she did. From 1994 to 2004 The Mansion on O and the O Street Museum was the place Mrs. Rosa Parks called her home-away-from-home.

Click on each of the images to watch a video


  • Did You Know Things You Don't Know Or Remember About Mrs Rosa Parks With The Edlin School, VA

  • Mrs. Rosa Parks' History at O Museum In The Mansion, Washington, DC

  • OFFICIAL "Thank You Sister Rosa" Featuring Cyril Neville & Mark Bryan

  • Happy Birthday Mrs. Rosa Parks!

  • Rosa Parks: Douglas Brinkley at The Library of Congress

  • Mrs. Rosa Parks, Beyond The Bus Author on C-SPAN American History TV

  • NBC Washington Visited O Museum To Celebrate Rosa Parks Day

  • H speaks to Womens National Democratic Club

  • H.H. Leonards Author of “Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus” at the Carroll Arts Center

  • WUSA 9- Rosa Parks' Time Living in DC

  • C Span Interview - Love is all that Matters

  • H's New Book!

  • Rosa Parks Beyond The Bus - Enough Featuring Ranky Tanky

  • ROSA PARKS BEYOND THE BUS: Life, Lessons, and Leadership

  • ROSA PARKS BEYOND THE BUS: Life, Lessons, and Leadership

  • C Span Interview - The Real Mrs Rosa Parks

  • WJLA Interview with H

  • Aretha Franklin & Rev. Jesse Jackson - "I'll Fly Away"

  • Susan Reyburn, Author of Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words Discussing the Book at O Museum in The Mansion

  • Smokey Robinson — You Are Forever

  • Jesse Colin Young : For My Sisters

  • Mrs. Rosa Parks & O Museum in The Mansion

  • C Span Interview - Leading by Example

  • Unveiling of Rosa Parks Plaque, 5/31/19

  • Making The Music: "Mrs. Rosa Parks" Featuring Cyril Neville & Mark Bryan of Hootie and The Blowfish

  • Spreading Mrs. Rosa Parks Messages of Unity & Love #HoldMyHandChallenge #RosaParks

  • C Span Interview - Truth Behind the Title

  • Take a Mrs. Rosa Parks Tour

  • Did You Know These Things About Mrs. Rosa Parks? #HoldMyHandChallenge

  • FOX 5: Rosa Parks and The Mansion on O Street

  • Rosa Parks: Douglas Brinkley at The Library of Congress

  • Living My Own Religion

  • That All Might Know Love — From Our Album "Love Is All That Matters"

  • OFFICIAL "Thank You Sister Rosa" Featuring Cyril Neville & Mark Bryan

  • C Span Interview - Defining Moments with my Mentor

  • The Power of Love (My Wish) — Written by Gordon Titcomb, Performed by Felix Cavaliere

  • Smokey Robinson — You Are Forever

  • Jesse Colin Young : For My Sisters

  • "Band Together For America" Featuring Lee Roy Parnell, Felix Cavaliere, Joe Bonamassa (CC)

  • Love Is Love (Official Video) - Jeff Plankenhorn

  • "Band Together For America" Featuring Lee Roy Parnell, Felix Cavaliere, Joe Bonamassa

  • Making The Music: "Mrs. Rosa Parks" Featuring Cyril Neville & Mark Bryan of Hootie and The Blowfish

  • On My Way

  • Aretha Franklin & Rev. Jesse Jackson - "I'll Fly Away"

  • When H and Rosa Parks met the Pope

  • H shares Rosa Parks: Beyond the Bus with Caplin News

  • WMNF Community Speaks Podcast feat. H. H. Leonards

  • A Girl Scout's Rosa Parks Reflection

  • Rosa Parks Birthday Celebration

  • DYK These Things About Mrs. Rosa Parks

On December 1, 1955, with one simple act, Mrs. Parks changed the world. She helped spark the civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. That simple act of courage made her one of the most important women in American history. A woman of few words, her action forever – and positively – impacted the lives of people all over the globe.

While Mrs. Rosa Parks was with us she met with dignitaries, heads-of-state, and leaders, including President Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Benjamin Hooks, and Dorothy Height here. Close friends of Mrs. Parks stayed with her while she was living with us, including Cicely Tyson, Mamie Till, Miles Davis, Angela Bassett, Artis Lane and her closest friend Mrs. Elaine Steele, Executive Director of The Rosa and Raymond Parks Pathways to Freedom, in Detroit, Michigan.

Mrs. Parks passed away on the 24th of October 2005 in her Detroit apartment. Her body laid in state at the Capitol Rotunda, the first woman to have ever been given this honour. She became the first African American woman to be honored with a life-size statue in the Capitol.

O Museum In The Mansion is a historic site on The African American Heritage Trail which identifies sites that are important in local and national history and culture. It recognizes the people and places that have shaped Washington, DC. A plaque commemorating Mrs. Parks was recently installed and can be seen when you visit.