CALENDAR OF EVENTS January – July 2015
, a National Historic Landmark, was begun by Henri Joseph Stier, a wealthy immigrant from Antwerp, in 1801. After his return to Europe, his daughter, Rosalie, and her husband, George Calvert, made it their home. Mrs. Calvert’s correspondence tells the story of this family and their elegant house, a story that is an integral part of the history of Prince George’s County, the state of Maryland, and the nation. Today, this historic house museum of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission offers regular tours and special programs throughout the year. In the Calverts’ day, Twelfth Night marked the end of the holiday season. Dance the night away at our Twelfth Night Ball in January. The merriment continues in April at our lively Tavern Night. Enjoy more live music, including free indoor Chamber Concerts and summer’s Jazz on the Lawn. Mrs. Calvert’s garden was “her greatest diversion.” In April, we invite you to be diverted and make art in the garden at Riversdale in Bloom. There were many people to feed on the large estate of Riversdale. In February, see how African Americans cooked and ate as you visit The Plummers’ Kitchen. In 1803, Mrs. Calvert had a new cook who would “easily learn what he doesn’t know since he is willing.” Come learn what YOU need to know to become one of our cooking volunteers during our Kitchen Guild Open House in March. In June, foodways historian Leni Sorensen shares her research on Mrs. Calvert’s contemporary, Mary Randolph, author of The Virginia Housewife. The Kitchen Guild continues to prepare produce grown in our garden for Seasonal Selections on selected Sundays through the spring and summer. In 1817, Mrs. Calvert commissioned her sister to send “complete dress outfit(s)” and dresses for dancing as daughter Caroline prepared to enter Washington society. In March, see how the Calverts and their circle went about Dressing for Grand Occasions. The Calverts had nine children to educate and amuse. Send your children to be amused (and educated) at our Spring Mini Camp and our summer Hands-on History Weeks. Despite the distance separating her from them, Mrs. Calvert was always her parents’ “affectionate daughter.” Bring your parents or other special adults in your life for FREE Mother’s Day and Father’s Day tours.
Riversdale Historical Society Annual Membership n $20 Student n $100 Portico Society
n $35 Individual n $250 CB's Circle
n $60 Household n $500 Rosalie's Circle
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VISA/MasterCard accepted. Please make checks payable to Riversdale Historical Society and mail to: Treasurer, Riversdale Historical Society, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park, MD 20737. Contributions are tax deductible.
The Riversdale Historical Society The Riversdale Historical Society has new membership benefits! For details, see www.riversdale.org. The Society is the volunteer support organization for the museum. Your contributions are used for restoration and interpretive projects. In addition, the Society trains docents who conduct tours and operates the Museum Shop.
From the Garden to the Kitchen: Seasonal Selections Using produce from the garden and orchard, members of the Riversdale Kitchen Guild members cook over the open hearth in the Dependency kitchen. Selections are inspired by the traditional seasonal cycles of a 19th century farm. Drop by to watch them work from noon to 3:30 pm on selected Sundays. February 22, March 15, April 12, April 26, May 10, May 24 and June 21
Volunteer Opportunities Immerse yourself in history! As one of our volunteers, you’ll dive right into the behind-the-scenes action as you share the story of Riversdale. No experience is necessary—we’ll provide training. Docents lead guided tours of the museum. Education docents assist with school and Scout programs. Or you can work in the garden or museum shop or join the Kitchen Guild cooking in the Dependency.
Jan uary –ju ly 201 5 C a lenda r of E V E NTS
Saturday, January 17
7:30 pm
Twelfth Night Ball
Celebrate the traditional end of the holiday season at our Regency-style ball and supper. Black tie or period attire encouraged. Advance payment required by January 3; capacity is limited. Fee: Resident* $40; Non-Resident $48
Sunday, February 22
12 noon
The Plummers’ Kitchen
Using the open hearth in the dependency kitchen, the Riversdale Kitchen Guild cooks up foods typical of the Plummer family and other 19th century African American residents of Riversdale. Fee: $3/adult; $2/senior; $1/student; FREE/ages 4 & under (includes guided tour of the historic house)
Sunday, March 8
2:30 pm
The Riversdale Chamber Music Society Our chamber music series continues with musicians from the University of Maryland performing Franz Schubert’s Octet in F major. FREE
Sunday, March 15
3:30 pm
Kitchen Guild Open House
Curious about joining our Kitchen Guild? Step into the warmth of the open hearth kitchen and chat with members while sampling an array of seasonal soups from period recipes. FREE; Please register by March 14.
Saturday, March 21
10 am
Teacher Open House
The education departments at Riversdale and the College Park Aviation Museum are partnering to invite teachers to enjoy a variety of workshop sessions that focus on educational programming in museums, primary source and object based learning in the classroom, and making the most of your field trip. Refreshments provided. This program is at the College Park Aviation Museum. Call CPAM at 301-864-6029 to register. FREE for teachers with school ID & students in education training programs.
Sunday, March 22
1:30 pm
Dressing for Grand Occasions Balls—presentations at court—diplomatic functions. Learn how people “dressed up” in the Federal/Regency era. After the illustrated lecture, make your own choker necklace to wear to your next grand occasion. (Workshop open to lecture attendees only.) Advance payment required by March 13. Fee: Resident* $5; Non-Resident $7.50; Optional Workshop $5
Tuesday–Friday, April 7–10
10 am
Hands-on History Spring Break Edition
Kids ages 8 to 12, spring into history this spring break! Experience what life was like 200 years ago with crafts, activities, cooking, and more! Advance payment required by March 31. Fee: Resident* $18/ day, $65 for all 4 days; Non-Resident $22/day, $78 for all 4 days
Saturday, April 11
8 pm
Tavern Night
Join us for an evening of rousing entertainment by the Ship’s Company sailors and partake of tavern-style food and beverages. NEW THIS YEAR— FEE INCLUDES A SOUVENIR GLASS. Ages 21 & up. Advance payment required by March 31; capacity is limited. Fee: Resident* $25; Non-Resident $30
Sunday, April 26
11 am
Riversdale in Bloom
We invite you, in partnership with the Brentwood Arts Exchange, to bring your family to enjoy the beauty of the spring garden and make art. FREE
Sunday, May 10
12:15–3:15 pm
Mother’s Day Tours
Bring your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or other special lady for a FREE guided tour of the house. NOTE: Limited to one free tour with each paid admission.
Sunday, May 17
2:30 pm
The Riversdale Chamber Music Society
Join us for an innovative multi-media performance of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring arranged for woodwind quintet. FREE
Sunday, June 7
1:15 pm
Tasting the Past: “The Virginia Housewife”
Foodways historian Leni Sorensen shares her research on Mary Randolph, author of a landmark 19th century cookbook, and her enslaved cooks in antebellum Richmond. This lecture and tasting is a joint program with the Culinary Historians of Washington, DC. Fee: Resident* $10; Non-Resident $12
* Resident fees apply to residents of Prince George’s & Montgomery Counties. Please note that popular programs where reservations are required may sell out prior to the registration deadline noted.
Sunday June 21
12:15–3:15 pm
Father’s Day Tours
Bring your father, father-in-law, grandfather, or other special gentleman for a FREE guided tour of the house. NOTE: Limited to one free tour with each paid admission.
Week 1: Monday–Friday, July 13–17 Week 2: Monday–Friday, July 20–24
Hands-on History Weeks: Historic Headlines
News flash! What was making headlines 200 years ago? Find out as you spend the week learning about the up and coming news of the day with crafts, activities, games, and more. Advance payment required by July 1. WEEK 1: 10 am–3 pm; Children ages 8–12 Fee: Resident* $30/day or $135 for all 5 days; Non-Resident $36/day or $144 for all 5 days WEEK 2: 10 am–1:30 pm; Children ages 5–8 Fee: Resident* $18/day or $78 for all 5 days; Non-Resident $22/day or $96 for all 5 days
Jazz on the lawn
wednesday, 7 pm
JUNE 24, JULY 8 & 22, AUGUST 5 & 19 Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy some of the area’s top jazz musicians. NOTE: In case of rain, the concerts move inside. Call for details. The concerts are supported by a grant from the Town of Riverdale Park and the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
New at Riversdale! CAROLINE HAS A BED. The image on the cover shows the small chamber that we think Rosalie Calvert furnished for her oldest child, Caroline. The bed is a period reproduction formerly in the nursery. The fabric for the bedcover and window curtain is based on fashionable late 18th– early 19th-century printed textiles. The dressing table is based on period images. The skirt is the heavy ribbed fabric called dimity and was manufactured by Family Heir-loom Weavers in Pennsylvania.
ASK FOR DETAILS ABOUT THESE NEW PROGRAMS — Corridor of History Ticket: This ticket allows you to visit Riversdale AND the College Park Aviation Museum for one low price! — Birthday Parties: Plan a Blast into the Past birthday party for your history-loving child.
4811 Riverdale Road Riverdale Park, MD 20737
Greetings from LOCATION: 4811 Riverdale Road in Riverdale Park, Maryland, 2 blocks south of MD
Route 410, between Kenilworth Ave. and U.S. Route 1, about 1-1/2 miles south of the University of Maryland–College Park.
DIRECTIONS: Take I-95/495 to Exit 23, Route 201, Kenilworth Avenue, South.
Continue approximately 3 miles. Turn right on MD Route 410, East-West Highway. Proceed 1/2 mile and follow brown Riversdale signs.
OFFICE/VISITOR CENTER HOURS: Monday–Friday, 9 am – 5 pm TOURS AND FEES: Year round, Friday and Sunday, 12:15– 3:15 pm. Tours begin at
the Visitor Center every half hour, and the last tour begins at 3:15. Fees: $3/adults, $2/seniors (age 60 & up) & group tours for 10 or more, $1/ages 5– 18 and students with valid ID, FREE/ages 4 & under.
GROUP TOURS for 10 or more any time by appointment. Riversdale is available for special events and meetings of no more than 75 people. THE RIVERSDALE MUSEUM SHOP, open during tour hours, features a distinctive
assortment of books, gifts, and toys.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 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.
INFORMATION: 301-864-0420 / TTY 301-699-2544 / FAX 301-927-3498
E-MAIL Riversdale@pgparks.com / WEB: history.pgparks.com ppc-pr nhrd 2/15