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Prince George's County: 300 Years of American History
Over 300 years old, Prince George's County is home to numerous estates and museums that chronical not just the county's history, but America's as well.
Created by act of the state legislature in 1695, the county's namesake was Prince George of Denmark. Prince George was the husband of Queen Anne, Britain's monarch from 1702 to 1714. Several pre-colonial mansions built during her reign have recently been preserved and re-opened to the public, providing a unique glimpse into the past. With more than 20,000 acres of historic sites and parkland, Prince George's County is the perfect setting for an unforgettable day or weekend trip -- a journey through 300 years of American history.
Montpelier Mansion
Any historical day trip in this county must include a visit to the Montpelier Mansion. One of the finest examples of 18th century Georgian architecture in Maryland, Montpelier was built in 1783. It was constructed by Major Thomas Snowden shortly after his marriage to Ann Ridgely. The mansion hosted many important figures of the colonial era, including George Washington and Abigail Adams.
Today, Montpelier has been fully restored and furnished as it might have been in 1830. The grounds boast an originial 18th century summer house, one of only two surviving in the United States. The mansion is frequently rented out for weddings, receptions and meetings. Special attractions at the Mansion include a free History Lecture series sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks, a Woodturning Exhibit that runs through the month of March, and a free Herb, Bread & Tea Festival at the end of April.
Montpelier Mansion is located at Rt. 197 and Muirkirk Road in Laurel. Phone 301-953-1376; TTY 301-699-2544. Drop-in tours are offered every Sunday -- in January and February between 1:15 and 2:15 p.m., from March to December between 12 noon and 3:15 p.m. Admission ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per person.
Riversdale House Museum
Perhaps second only to Montpelier in its renown, Riversdale House is one of the better-known historic landmarks in Prince George's County. Just a few years younger than Montpelier, Riversdale was begun in 1801. It was completed by Rosalie Stier, who married George Calvert, a descendant of Maryland's founding family. Riversdale is an elegant manor house combining a rare blend of Flemish and American architecture. It is a National Historic Landmark.
 | | M-NCPPC | | Re-enactors bring history to life at Surratt House Museum. |
Special attractions at the Museum include Sweets for the Sweet, a special Valentine's Day tea and dessert, and an informative lecture series entitled "Life at Riversdale: Legacies and Links to the University of Maryland."
Riversdale House Museum is located at 4811 Riverdale Road in Riverdale Park. Phone 301-864-0420; TTY 301-699-2544. Walk-in tours are offered Fridays and Sunday between 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. Admission ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per person.
Surratt House Museum
This building was constructed in 1852 as a relatively ordinary family home, tavern, hostelry and post office. It was not until Mary Surratt conspired here with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln that the house gained a certain notoriety.
Special events at the Museum include the "John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour," a 12-hour bus tour traveling the route used by President Lincoln's assassin, and "Murder at Ford's Theatre," a free, special exhibit related to the assassination of President Lincoln, and several other special events held throughout the year.
Surratt House Museum is located at 9118 Brandywine Road in Clinton. Phone and TTY 301-868-1121. Open Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per person.
Billingsley House Museum
Sited on one of the most breathtaking vistas in the county, this brick Tidewater colonial plantation house sits on 430 sprawling acres overlooking the Patuxent River. Named after Maj. John Billingsley, the original land grant holder, the hosue was built ca. 1740. Historians speculate the the property was once the home of Col. Thomas Hollyday, the first Chief Justice of the Prince George's County Court.
Today, the house and grounds are available for rent for small social and business functions. Special events include the "18th Century Architectural House Tour," a van tour of four 18th century historic homes in the Upper Marlboro area, with a historian guide.
Billingsley House Museum is located at 6900 Green Landing Road in Upper Marlboro. Phone 301-627-0730, TTY 301-699-2544. Open for walk-in tours on Sundays from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per person.
Darnall's Chance House Museum
One of the oldest houses in Upper Marlboro (the Prince George's County seat,) Darnall's Chance was built in the first half of the 18th century. The name was given to the property in 1704 by Col. Henry Darnall. In 1857 it was dramatically remodeled to the Italianate style. On the brink of demolition, the house was saved for preservation in 1986 and restored to its original Georgian appearance. A unique, 18th century brick burial vault is also sited on the property.
Special attractions include the "Colonial Tavern Dinner," a St. Patrick's Day celebration, 18th century-style.
Darnall's Chance House Museum is located at 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro. Phone 301-952-8010, TTY 301-699-2544. Open for walk-in tours on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per person.
College Park Aviation Museum
 | | M-NCPPC | | Visitors enjoying an interactive exhibit at the College Park Aviation Museum |
Not all the county's historical sites date back to the 1700's. By those standards, a particular museum in the county would be considered to be downright modern. The College Park Aviation Museum is a beautiful, 27,000-square foot chronicling the story of the "World's Oldest Operating Airport."
The museum details the groundbreaking achievements and significant breakthroughs in aviation that have occurred since Wilbur Wright taught the first military aviators to fly here in 1909. Not your ordinary museum, the College Park Aviation Museum uses animatronics and interactive exhibits to give its visitors a unique, hands-on experience.
Special attractions include the "Speaking of Flight" Lecture Series, featuring renowned experts speaking on aviation topics ranging from women in military aviation, to the pioneering efforts of the Wright brothers. The museum regularly hosts events like "The Science Show" and "The Peter Pan Club" for the enjoyment of kids of all ages.
College Park Aviation Museum is located at 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive in College Park. Phone 301-864-6029, TTY 301-864-4765. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Admission ranges from $2.00 to $4.00 per person.
(A version of this article was presented by the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation. It is reprinted with permission.)
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