Montpelier
Produced by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Natural and Historical Resources Division PPC PR PA 1/15
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.
Calendar of Events 2015
INFORMATION: 301-377-7817 TTY 301-699-2544
GIFT SHOP: Thursday–Tuesday, 11 am–3 pm. Visit our NEW online shop! Go to www.pgparks.com, click on “About Parks & Recreation” then click on e-store.
RENTALS: The mansion is available for small gatherings, luncheons and meeting rentals. Call for details.
TOURS: A modest admission fee is charged. Partially accessible. Guided Tours: March – November only, Sundays, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm, on the hour Self-Guided Tours: Year-round, Thursday–Tuesday, between 11 am–3 pm. Group Tours: Available for groups of 10 or more. Reservations required.
OFFICE HOURS: Thursday–Tuesday, 9 am – 5 pm (closed Wednesday and major holidays except where noted)
N AT I O N A L H I S T O R I C L A N D M A R K
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DIRECTIONS: From the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Route 295), exit at Route 197. Turn west onto Route 197 (toward Laurel) and continue 1/4 mile to Muirkirk Rd. Turn left, then make the first right into the Montpelier grounds.
The Snowdens’ reputation for hospitality and the proximity of their home to the main road to northern cities made Montpelier host to many famous people. George and Martha Washington, as well as Abigail Adams, all stayed at Montpelier.
history.pgparks.com
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Montpelier remained in the Snowden family until 1890. The house was restored in the 1980s to reflect the occupation of Nicholas Snowden, who inherited the house and owned it until his death in 1831. Now a National Historic Landmark, Montpelier is one of the finest examples of 18th c. Georgian architecture in the state. The landscape features a rare surviving 18th c. summer house. Also located on the grounds is the Montpelier Arts Center, a multi-faceted, community-oriented facility that offers art exhibitions, classes, performances and professional artist studios. Gallery Hours: Seven days a week, 10 am–5 pm (closed major holidays). Entrance to the galleries is free. For class and performance schedules, please call 301-3777800; TTY 301-490-2329.
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Volunteer at Montpelier! Many positions are available, from giving tours to office work to gardening.
Learn, make friends and have fun! THE FRIENDS OF MONTPELIER, a volunteer organization, works with M-NCPPC staff to preserve the site’s heritage and assist in maintaining the mansion as an historic house museum. Both Snowden and Long (Montpelier’s last
s, for tea , ts i exhib vents e kids’ e! & mor
owners) descendants have joined the Friends and continue to support the museum. Members of the group serve as docents and assist in presenting programs throughout the year. For more Friends of Montpelier sell flowers during the Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts.
information, or to join the Friends of Montpelier, call 301-377-7817.
Saturday, November 21, 1:30 pm Needle and Thread Tea to Celebrate Needleart’s 20th Anniversary Saturday, October 17, 1:30 pm Masquerade Tea Montpelier Arts Center
Saturday, May 9, 1:30 pm Mother’s Day Tea Saturday, April 11, 1:30 pm Spring Bonnet Tea
See the Summer House
Saturday, March 21, 1:30 pm Women Explorers’ Tea Saturday, February 14, 1:30 pm Chocolate Lovers’ Tea FEE: $29 per person; $25 for members of Friends of Montpelier. Price includes self-guided tour of the house and gratuity. Reservations and advance payment required. Tour the house.
Historical Kitchen Exhibit–Enslaved Workers
njoy afternoon tea at Montpelier, including fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones, and your choice of two quality loose leaf teas.
E Explore the garden and tell time by the sun.
Explore Montpelier’s Historic Landscape
First Class U.S. Postage
Permit #1083 Riverdale, MD
LOCATION: Muirkirk Rd., just off Route 197, Laurel, Maryland. 1/4 mile west of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Also located on the grounds are the Montpelier Arts Center offering art exhibits, concerts and classes.
Seventy acres and the house itself remain of what was once a land holding of approximately 9,000 acres. Enslaved workers and indentured servants provided the labor as field hands and skilled craftsmen at the plantation and the Patuxent Ironworks.
Walk in the woods
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. – H e n r y J a m e s
9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708
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MONTPELIER’S CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN 1781 by Ann Ridgely and Major Thomas Snowden, both members of prominent Maryland families. Two firebacks in the house inscribed “TSA 1783” indicate the owners and probable completion year of the mansion.
Saturday, December 12, 1:30 pm Sunday, December 13, 1:30 pm Saturday, December 19, 1:30 pm Sunday, December 20, 1:30 pm Holiday Teas
Montpelier Mansion
Montpelier Mansion
A Little Bit of History