Montpelier
PAID
Permit #1083 Riverdale, MD
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
H I S T O R I C
A Little Bit of History
S I T E
~ 2020: The Year of the Woman! ~
MONTPELIER was owned by four generations of Snowdens until 1890. Two firebacks in the house, inscribed “TSA 1783,” indicate the first occupants, Thomas and Ann, and the year the central block of the house was likely completed. Since the 1970’s, visitors to Montpelier have heard about the wealthy Snowden men who owned the house. However, research done for exhibitions has shed light on the 169 people held in bondage by the Snowdens. This information has been incorpo-
background, will finally be brought forward in 2020, the Year of the Woman, and beyond. Who were
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they? Were they active participants in the running of the plantation? How did they navigate their religious and moral compass while living within the slave economy? Indeed, the Snowden women and the enslaved workers of Montpelier have been credited for
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 12/19
INFORMATION: 301-377-7817 TTY 301-699-2544
which attracted such visitors as GIFT SHOP HOURS: 10 am–4 pm (closed Wednesday) Visit our online shop!
RENTALS: The mansion is available for small gatherings, luncheons and meetings.
the family’s well-known hospitality,
SCOUT AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Call 301-377-7817 or visit history.pgparks.com for information.
TOURS: A modest admission fee is charged. Partially accessible. Self-Guided Tours: Year-round, Thurs–Tue, 9 am– 3 pm. NEW! Extended hours, 4th Thursdays, Mar.– Oct., open until 8:30 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.
9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708
Montpelier Historic Site
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as new information is discovered. Similarly, the women of Montpelier, whose stories have been in the
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s U w o l l o F
istory parksh
rated into the self-guided tour, which will continue to be updated
George and Martha Washington and
S
ee Inside
n he Woma Year of t Events (YOW) counts s i D y r a t i Mil s Program Evening
Volunteer!
Abigail Adams. Seventy acres, the Georgian manor,
From giving tours to office work to gardening, to
and a summerhouse remain, and large
being a tea hostess or assisting with hands-on-history
trees and boxwood grace the landscape,
programs, there are many ways to help. Please e-mail
which once was a property of approxi-
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com for more information.
mately 9,000 acres, and contained the Patuxent Ironworks and a plantation
THE FRIENDS OF MONTPELIER,
for tobacco and other crops.
a volunteer organization,
Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of
works with M-NCPPC
Montpelier, who advocated to restore
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020
staff to preserve the site’s
Montpelier in the 1980s, visitors have
history. For more
explored this house for decades.
information, call 301-377-7817.
history.pgparks.com Facebook/PGParksHistory
Explore Montpelier’s Historic Landscape Granite statue adorns outdoor seating area behind Carriage House.
Teas! Tea to the English, tea is really a picnic indoors. – A l i c e W a l k e r
Explore the garden and tell time by the sun.
A
fternoon tea at Montpelier includes fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones, and your choice of two quality loose leaf teas.
Tour & Gift Shop Entrance
FEE: $31 + tax per person; $27 + tax for Friends of Montpelier members. Price includes self-guided tour of the house and gratuity. Reservations and payment required by the Wednesday before the tea.
Tour the house. Historical Kitchen Exhibit–Enslaved Workers
Chocolate Lovers’ Tea Saturday, March 21, 11 am & 2 pm Festival Tea Saturday, April 25 – Timed seatings (Call for information) Montpelier Arts Center
See the Summer House
Queen Bee Tea Saturday, May 9, 11 am & 2 pm Tea with the Dearly Departed Saturday, October 24, 4 pm (new time) Montpelier Gift Shop is open during tours and special events or visit pgparks.com and click on e-store to shop online.
Walk in the woods MAP COURTESY OF CARISSA DEMORE
Year of the Woman Tea–YOW Event Saturday, November 14, 2 pm Holiday Teas Friday, December 11, 2 pm Saturday, December 12, 11 am & 2 pm Sunday, December 13, 11 am & 2 pm