Permit #1083 Riverdale, MD
Montpelier
PAID
PRESORTED First Class U.S. Postage
N AT I O N A L H I S T O R I C L A N D M A R K
A Little Bit of History
M
M . A . N . S . I . O . N
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.
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. 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.
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 PA 12/15
INFORMATION: 301-377-7817 TTY 301-699-2544
GIFT SHOP: Thurs–Tue, 11 am–3 pm. Visit our 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 meetings.
TOURS: A modest admission fee is charged. Partially accessible. Guided Tours: Monthly (except December), 2nd Sat & 4th Sun, 1 & 2:30 pm Self-Guided Tours: Year-round, Thurs–Tue, 11 am– 3 pm. Group Tours: Reservations required for groups of 10 or more.
OFFICE HOURS: Thurs –Tue, 9 am – 5 pm (closed Wednesday and major holidays except where noted)
DIRECTIONS: From the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Rt 295), exit at Rt 197. Turn west onto Rt 197 (toward Laurel) and continue 1/4 mile to Muirkirk Rd. Turn left, then make the first right into Montpelier.
LOCATION: Muirkirk Rd., just off Rt. 197, 1/4 mile west of the BaltimoreWashington Parkway. Also located on the grounds is the Montpelier Arts Center.
SeeInside
s, for tea , ts i exhib vents e kids’ e! & mor
•
Volunteer at Montpelier! Many positions are available, from giving tours to office work to hands-on-history.
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 owners) descendants have joined the Friends and continue to support the
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2016
museum. Members of the group serve
history.pgparks.com
as docents and assist in presenting programs throughout the year. For more Docent John Tarafas welcomes visitors during Candlelight Tours.
information, or to join the Friends of Montpelier, call 301-377-7817.
Walk in the woods
Holiday Teas Saturday, December 10, 12 pm & 3 pm Sunday, December 11, 1:30 pm Beyond Needleart Tea Saturday, November 12, 1:30 pm Saturday, October 15, 5 pm Tea with the Dearly Departed NEW! Children’s Butterfly Tea Saturday, May 21, 2 pm FEE for Butterfly Tea: $29/adult, $20/child. Please call for menu.
Montpelier Arts Center
Mothers’ Day Tea Saturday, May 7, 1:30 pm Blue Stockings Tea Saturday, March 26, 1:30 pm
See the Summer House
Chocolate Lovers’ Tea Saturday, February 13, 1:30 pm FEE: $29 per person; $25 for members of Friends of Montpelier (except for Children’s Butterfly Tea — see below). Price includes self-guided tour of the house and gratuity. Reservations and advance payment required by the Wednesday before the date. Tour the house.
Historical Kitchen Exhibit–Enslaved Workers Explore the garden and tell time by the sun.
Explore Montpelier’s Historic Landscape
fternoon tea at Montpelier includes fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones, and your choice of two quality loose leaf teas.
A
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
Teas!
Montpelier Mansion
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.
MAP COURTESY OF CARISSA DEMORE
9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708
Bring
h you hure wit c o r b is th ive a to rece gift from special shop. our gift
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.