Marietta House Museum
Calendar of Events January-December 2019
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 works in an intimate setting. 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 any of the above programs or events at Marietta House Museum, call 301-464-5291.
Marietta
House Museum
2019 Calendar of E vents
Sunday, January 13
1 pm
A Taste
of Tea Come in out of the cold and join us for tea, the “comfort drink”. We will taste various teas, such as green, black, herbal, and white, and will learn a little history of the beverage. Scones will be served with jam and lemon curd. A casual, fun, buffet style get-together, while meeting new friends and neighbors. To reserve a space, please call 301-464-5291. Fee: $5/person
Saturday, February 23
1 pm
BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION
African American Women in Music Lecture Series: “The Music of Portia Washington Pittman” Portia Washington Pittman, 1883-1978, was the oldest and only daughter of Booker T. Washington. She had become an accomplished pianist by age ten and completed her college degree in music at Bradford Academy in Massachusetts. October 1907, she married architect William Sydney Pittman, and settled with him in Fairmount Heights, Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Pittman family moved to Dallas Texas in 1913, and Portia began teaching music in a Dallas high school named for her father. After retirement, she devoted herself to recognition of her father’s place in history, and died in Washington, D.C., in 1978. Light refreshments will be served during a meet and greet following the program. Fee: $5/person
Saturday, March 9
1 pm
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION
African American Women in Music Lecture Series: “The Music of Pearl Bailey”
Pearl Bailey, 1918-1990, was a singer and actress. She toured during WWII with the USO, and after many Broadway productions, hosted her own variety series in 1971. Pearl Bailey received the Screen Actors Guild’s “Life Achievement Award” and was appointed Special Ambassador to the United Nations in 1975. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988. Light refreshments will be served during a meet and greet after the program. Fee: $5/person
Sunday, March 23
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. To reserve a space, call 301-464-5291. Ages 4-10. Fee: $5/child (includes hat and decorations)
Saturday, April 6
1 pm
African American Women in Music Lecture Series: “The Music of Ella Fitzgerald” As we celebrate International Jazz Month, we bring you Ella Fitzgerald, “The First Lady of Song,” 1917–1996. It is noted that Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the U.S. for more than half a century. She won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. In her rendition of “You Have to Swing It”, she began experimenting with scat, and her improvisation and vocalization wowed her fans. In 1987, Ella was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Light refreshments will be served during a meet and greet following the program. Fee: $5/person
Saturday, April 27
9 am –2 pm
Marietta’s Spring Flea Market Wondering what to do with that certain item you found when spring cleaning? One person’s unwanted item is another person’s treasure! Join the fun and reserve space for a table or two for our spring yard sale. Plenty of parking for those who are looking to buy. To reserve a space, please call 301-464-5291. The Glenn Dale Farmer’s Market will be on-site selling food and produce. Space Fee: $10 for 10’ x 10’ space; $5 each additional space. FREE Admission.
Sunday, May 5
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 reception of wine, juice, cheese, and dessert. Please call to reserve your space: 301-464-5291. Ages 15 & up, $15/person, includes floral workshop materials.
Saturday, June 8
1 pm
African American Women in Music Lecture Series: “The Music of Aretha Franklin” Aretha Franklin, “Queen of Soul”, 1942-2018, was the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2008, she won her 18th Grammy Award. Aretha Franklin performed at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and at the presidential inaugurations of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. She received both a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Kennedy Center Honor, and in 2005, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Light refreshments will be served during a meet and greet following the program. Fee: $5/person
Saturday, July 13
1–6 pm
Family Fun Day
at Marietta! Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy a day at Marietta. Visit food and craft vendors, watch woodcarving demonstrations, meet authors and listen to readings. Play 19th century games, have your face painted, enjoy talented local musicians, take an historic house tour, and visit the Glenn Dale Fire Department (schedule permitting). FREE
Saturday, August 3
2–7 pm
Wine & Jazz at Marietta Come celebrate summer with wine and jazz on the beautiful lawns of Marietta! Bring a lawn chair, blanket, or both and enjoy local wineries, live jazz, food, crafts demonstrations, book authors, and a tour of the historic home. Admission includes a wine sampling glass. Ages 21 & up. Fee $15/person
Friday, August 9
11 am –3 pm
Free Tour Friday
at Marietta If you have not toured the mansion recently, please come and tour. Visit our exhibits and enjoy the beautiful grounds. FREE
Sunday, September 8
2 pm
Women Inventors Tea & Program
SHIRLEY JACKSON
Join us for tea as we discuss the talented ladies of invention—the brilliant ideas of trailblazing women! Anna, Duchess of Bedford is credited with starting “Afternoon Tea”; Marie Curie, the theory of radioactivity; Maria Beasley, the life raft; Mary Anderson the windshield wipers; Shirley Jackson, telecommunications— just to name a few. Reservations are required; space is limited. Ages 8 & up. Fee: $25/person
Saturday, September 28
9 am–2 pm
Marietta’s Fall Flea Market Out with the old and in with the new? Find the perfect place to sell your items, and there’s plenty of parking for those who are looking to buy. To reserve a space, please call 301-464-5291. The Glenn Dale Farmer’s Market will be onsite selling food and produce. Space Fee: $10 for 10’ x 10’ space; $5 each additional space. FREE Admission.
Sunday, October 13
1 pm
Children’s Craft & Tea Enjoy a Halloween inspired tea with our child-friendly tea menu. Following the tea, children will make crafts such as pumpkins, spiders, ghosts, and scarecrows. Reservations are required. Please call 301-464-5291 to reserve a space. Ages 4-10. Fee: $10/person
Saturday, November 9
1–6 pm
Beer, Blues, & Burgers Enjoy various styles of beer, along with the sounds of jazz musicians, on the grounds of Marietta! We will have burgers, and more with our food & craft vendors, artisans, and tours of the historic home. Bring a lawn chair and blanket and enjoy a fall afternoon. Beer is available for purchase. Ages 21 & up. Fee: $10/person
Saturday, December 7
Holiday Candlelight Tea Set aside a special time to enjoy our candlelight holiday tea! Tea tiers will include festive desserts, scones with jam, tea breads, and finger sandwiches. We will serve our Marietta special holiday blend tea. Following the tea, you are welcome to tour the beautifully decorated and candlelit historic home. Reservations are required. Please call 301-464-5291. Ages 8 & up. Fee: $25/person
4 pm
Additional Events at Marietta House Saturdays, April 28-November 17
9 am-1 pm
Glenn Dale Farmer’s Market Visit our local Farmer’s Market on the grounds of Marietta House Museum. Purchase fresh baked goods, artisanal soaps and candles, various plants and herbs, fresh produce, and more.
Etiquette and 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. Light refreshments will be served.
Discovering Chocolate Learn how chocolate is made and have a taste of chocolate from a chocolate pot service. Then, make a chocolate candy dessert.
A Search of Genealogy Family History
and
Interested in learning about your family history? Create a timeline and journal of your own history and special memorable events.
Planting Herbs How are herbs important to our health and eating habits? Join us and find out! Please bring an apron to wear or clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Event includes planting herbs. Light refreshments will be 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 Find us on Facebook Badge
Visit our website at history.pgparks.com
CMYK / .ai
facebook.com/PGParksHistory twitter.com/pgparks instagram.com/pgparksandrec youtube.com/user/pgparksandrecreation 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 10/2018