Marietta House Museum
Calendar of Events January-June 2020
M-NCPPC, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Marietta
was built for Gabriel Duvall, one of Prince George’s County’s most outstanding citizens. Born in 1752, Duvall pursued a career in public service which lasted for more than 60 years. After serving in several positions during the Revolutionary War, he served in the Maryland House of Delegates, the United States Congress, the Maryland Supreme Court, and as Comptroller of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson. Soon after 1812, when he was appointed by President James Madison to the U.S. Supreme Court, Duvall began construction of Marietta. Over the next 20 years, he developed the 325-acre plantation and constructed a substantial rear wing for added living space. He served on the Supreme Court until 1835; in January of that year, he retired to spend the rest of his life at Marietta, where he died in 1844. Marietta remained the residence of his heirs until 1902. Gabriel Duvall began buying the tracts of land that would eventually make up his 650-acre tobacco plantation in the 1780s but did not build Marietta House until around 1813. Marietta is a 2 1/2-story brick Federal house in a traditional I-house plan. The main block is five bays by two, and entrance is through the central bay of the south facade. Attached to the north of the main block at right angles is a two-story rear wing, built c. 1832, and attached to the west gable end is an L-shaped wing added in 1968. Marietta stands on terraced, landscaped grounds with two contemporary outbuildings: a brick law office and a stone and brick root cellar/harness storage room. The property now consists of 25 acres of lawn and woodlands, and the grounds boast three County Champion trees and lovely old boxwood. The Society of Mareen Duvall Descendants has relocated the family graveyard from its original location to the serene surroundings at Marietta.
Marietta is open to the public as a Prince George’s County history museum and offers exhibits, lectures, events and programs covering 300 years of county history. Marietta is also home to the Natural and Historical Resources Division Library of County History. For further information, please call 301-464-5291, TTY 301-699-2544.
RENTALS AT MARIETTA HOUSE Marietta is available for rentals with an outdoor-tented space on our beautiful grounds. Call for more information regarding weddings, family reunions, and corporate events. TEA & HISTORY TOURS Available for groups of 12 or more! Enjoy a light tea (two scones with jam, two desserts, a tea bread, and two finger sandwiches) along with pots of tea, served on our beautiful chinaware. Fee includes an educational program and a tour of the historic home. Offered weekdays, Monday–Friday, 12 noon–3 pm. Fee: $20/person. Call to reserve a date. MARIETTA’S PLAYWRIGHT & AUTHOR’S CORNER Local area playwrights and authors will give readings and lead discussions of their new work. Enjoy light refreshments and a chance to meet the playwright/author. Authors’ books will be signed and available for sale. Call for more information. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS & GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMS Children’s (ages 6–12) & Girl Scout Programs are available by request for groups of 10 or more. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about the above programs or events at Marietta House Museum, call 301-464-5291.
Marietta
House Museum
January-June 2020 Calendar of Events
Sunday, January 12
1 pm
A Taste
of Tea Come in out of the cold and join us for tea, the ‘comfort drink’. Enjoy tasting a variety of teas, and learn a little history of the beverage. Scones will be served with jam and lemon curd, along with other light foods. Call 301-464-5291 to reserve a space. Ages 8 & up; $10/person
Saturday, January 25
1 pm
African American Women in Music: The Music of Dinah Washington Dinah Washington, 1924–1963, was an extremely popular singer in the 1950s. She performed, jazz, blues, R & B, and traditional pop music. In 1986, she was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and in 1993 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1959, she had her first top ten pop hit, with “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes.” Light refreshments will be served. Ages 8 & up; $5/person
Saturday, February 8
1 pm
BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION
The Green Book, Travel in Prince George’s County and Beyond A joint presentation lecture series of the Prince George’s County Historical Society and Marietta House Museum. Join historians Susan Pearl and Anne Bruder as they discuss The Green Book which was published from 1936 –1966. The book listed accommodations available to traveling African Americans in Prince George’s County, Baltimore, and beyond. Light refreshments will be served. Ages 8 & up; $5/person
Friday, February 14
11 am -3 pm
Couples of Marietta Tour Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family, friends, or sweetheart with a “Couples of Marietta” tour of the home. From Gabriel Duvall to his great-grandson, couples have occupied the home. Hear their stories, view our exhibits, and weather permitting, take a walk on the beautiful grounds. FREE
Saturday, February 22
1 pm
African American Women in Music: The Music of Sarah Vaughn Sarah Vaughan, 1924–1990, nicknamed, “Sassy” and “The Divine One,” was the winner of four Grammy Awards, which included the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1989, she was given the NEA Jazz Masters Award. Her career spanned 1942–1989. Light refreshments will be served. Ages 8 & up; $5/person
Saturday, March 14
1 pm
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION
Maryland’s Mother Gloria Richardson
Gloria Richardson, 1967 —Courtesy DC Public Library, Washingtoniana Division
of
Civil Rights:
A joint presentation lecture series of the Prince George’s County Historical Society and Marietta House Museum. Join historian, Artura Jackson, as she discusses the life of Gloria Richardson, civil rights activist and leader. Gloria Richardson was the leader of the Cambridge Movement, a struggle for civil rights in the early 1960s, located in Cambridge, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Her activism garnered national attention, shedding light on the civil rights movement in Maryland. She, along with five other women leaders, were seated on the stage at the August 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Light refreshments will be served. Ages 8 & up; $5/person
Saturday, March 28
1 pm
African American Women in Music: The Music of Della Reese Della Reese, 1931-2017, was an American jazz, R & B, pop, and gospel singer, an actress, and an ordained minister, with a career spanning seven decades. Her career took off in 1959 with her hit single, “Don’t You Know.” She was noted to be the youngest singer to have the same vocal range as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Light refreshments will be served. Ages 8 & up; $5/person
Sunday, April 5
1 pm
Spring Hat Decorating Children can hurry spring along, and bring their creative talents to this fun afternoon of decorating hats for spring and summer. Fee includes supplies and child-friendly refreshments. Please call 301-464-5291 to reserve a space. Ages 4-10; $5/child (includes hat and décor)
Saturday, April 18
1 pm
The Chesapeake Beach Railroad and its Environs A joint presentation lecture series of the Prince George’s County Historical Society and Marietta House Museum. Join Correine E. Moore, Museum Administrator, and Kris DeGrace, Collections Manager, from the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, for a discussion on the railway’s beginnings to create a resort town — its growth and impact on the community, entertainment, and travel from the DC area to southern Maryland. Light refreshments will be served. Ages 8 & up; $5/person
Sunday, May 3
1 pm
Floral Workshop Whether making a flower arrangement for Mother’s Day, celebrating the Preakness, or decorating your home, please join us for an afternoon of flower arranging, followed by a light dessert reception. Please call 301464-5291 to reserve a space. Ages 15 & up; $15/person (includes floral workshop materials)
Saturday, June 13
4-7 pm
An Evening
with Wayna Join us for an intimate evening, with Grammy nominee, Wayna Wondwossen, as she brings her beautiful voice to popular songs of today, in both America and Ethiopia. Experience an evening of fashion, food, and song. Light refreshments and beverages will be served. Ages 12 and up; call for fee information.
More Marietta Events GLENN DALE FARMER’S MARKET First weekend in May–November, Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm Visit our local farmer’s market on the grounds of Marietta House Museum for fresh baked goods, various plants and herbs, fresh produce, food trucks, and more. ETIQUETTE & MANNERS Etiquette is an important part of our social skills. See how social etiquette has evolved from the 1800s to today. Event includes conduct and table manners with light refreshments served. A WALK WITH NATURE Make potpourri with area flowers and leaves, and see photosynthesis take place before your very eyes. Event includes a nature walk around the grounds of Marietta (weather permitting). FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about any of the above programs or events at Marietta House Museum, call 301-464-5291.
Marietta House Museum 5626 Bell Station Road Glenn Dale, Maryland 20769 LOCATION Off of Route 193, Glenn Dale Boulevard just north of Route 450, Annapolis Road DIRECTIONS From the Capital Beltway (I-95/495), take Exit 20-A (Route 450 East/Lanham). Proceed east on Route 450 East/Annapolis Road about 4 miles. Turn left on to Route 193 West. Proceed 1/4 mile to Bell Station Road; turn left. Marietta is the first driveway on the left. TOUR HOURS Open the first Friday of each month from 1– 4 pm for walk-in tours. All other tours are by appointment. Marietta is not open on Saturday and Sunday unless there is a special event. ADMISSION $5/Adults; $4/Seniors age 60+; $4/person for groups of 6 or more; $2/Students ages 6-18; FREE/Ages 5 & under FOR INFORMATION 301-464-5291; Fax: 301-464-5654; TTY 301-699-2544 Visit our website at history.pgparks.com @ pgparks; @pgparkshistory @ pgparks @ pgparksandrec
The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. PPC-PR-NHRD 11/2019