In 1919, Girl Scouts obtained permission to operate a "tea house" at Hains Point in Potomac Park, Washington D.C. (no longer standing) and a short time later they were also in charge of the Pierce Mill Teahouse (near Tilden St. & Beach Dr.) Rock Creek Park, MD.

​

Traveling by car was still a new adventure and a tea house was the perfect destination, offering refreshments and restrooms for tourists.

Hours were limited, and little information is found on the practical aspects of operating a Girl Scout business. Did the Girl Scouts lease the properties and hire adults to run the business or did Girl Scouts volunteer to do the cooking, baking and tea-serving? One newspaper article of the time mentions Girl Scouts in khaki as being in charge, but wistfully, rather than in fact.

​

The Girl Scout Tea House at Hains Point was visited by two Presidents; Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. The Pierce Mill Building still stands and is on the National Historical Register.

​

After 5 years the "District Government" was unable to renew the concession stands and they closed. The Girl Scouts appealed to the public for funds to open a coffee shop to help pay bills - doesn't appear that it came about. The headquarters for the Washington D.C. Girl Scouts later moved to the Girl Scout Little House.