Permit #1083 Riverdale, MD
Montpelier
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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
MANSION / HISTORIC SITE
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 central block of the house. Seventy acres, the main house, and summer house remain of what once was a plantation with land holdings of approximately 9,000 acres. Inventories and census records indicate enslaved Africans provided the labor as field hands and skilled craftsmen at the plantation and the Patuxent Ironworks. The Snowdens’ reputation for genteel hospitality and the proximity of their home to the main road to northern cities made Montpelier host to famous individuals such as George and Martha Washington,
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and Abigail Adams.
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. Large trees 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 12/16
INFORMATION: 301-377-7817 TTY 301-699-2544
and boxwood grace the landscape.
GIFT SHOP: Thurs–Tue, 11 am–3 pm. Visit our online shop!
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.
Montpelier Mansion
9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708
Shop
Montpelier remained in the Snowden family until 1890. The house was restored in the 1980s to
Volunteer!
Also located on the grounds is the Montpelier Arts Center, a multi-faceted
NEW!
its r i p S & s Gift Series! .
details side for
See in
From giving tours to office work and gardening, to
facility, offering a wide range of arts
being a tea hostess or assisting with hands-on-history
programming, along with artists’ stu-
programs, there are different opportunities. Contribute,
dios. Go to arts.pgparks.com for a full
learn, make new friends, and have fun! Please e-mail
listing of activities and hours of opera-
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com if you are interested.
tion or call 301-377-7800. THE FRIENDS OF MONTPELIER, a volunteer organization, works with M-NCPPC staff to preserve the site’s history. Members
Low Res
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2017
assist in presenting programs throughout the year. Among its members are descendants of past owners. To learn about
history.pgparks.com
membership benefits and to join, visit friendsofmontpelier.org. To friend the Member of Chesapeake Woodturners demonstrates lathe for visitors.
Friends go to www.facebook.com/ friendsofmontpelier.
Explore Montpelier’s Historic Landscape Granite statue adorns outdoor seating area behind Carriage House.
Teas! 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
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 Tour the house. Historical Kitchen Exhibit–Enslaved Workers
FEE: $29 per person; $25 for members of Friends of Montpelier Price includes self-guided tour of the house and gratuity. Tax not included. Reservations and payment required by the Wednesday before the tea. Chocolate Lovers’ Tea Saturday, February 18, 11 am & 1:30 pm
Montpelier Arts Center
Women’s History Month Tea: Beatrice Potter for Grown-Ups Saturday, March 25, 1:30 pm
See the Summer House
Festival Tea April 29 (call or visit pgparks.com/Festivals for details) Mothers’ Day Tea Saturday, May 13, 1:30 pm Montpelier Gift Shop is open during tours and special events, or shop online at pgparks.com, click on About Parks & Recreation, then e-store
Walk in the woods MAP COURTESY OF CARISSA DEMORE
Tea with the Dearly Departed Saturday, October 21 5 pm Beyond Needleart Tea Saturday, November 11, 1:30 pm Holiday Teas Saturday, December 9, 12 noon & 3 pm Sunday, December 10, 12 noon & 3 pm
M ontpelier 2017 2017 Calendar of Events
301-377-7817
Check out our Home School Days on February 21 and November 14!
Rub the Oils and Strew the Powders: The Legacy of European Herbs in Early American Medicine and Cuisine
Barriers & Gateways Exhibit: The Immigrant Experience in Maryland Sunday, January 15–Sunday, March 12, 11 am–4 pm (closed Wednesdays) Opening Reception: Saturday, January 14, 1–4 pm First created in 2010 to supplement the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit, “Between Fences,” Barriers & Gateways explores the experience of three major waves of immigrants in Maryland history: those from the British Isles seeking opportunity as indentured servants; Africans forced into slavery; and Europeans escaping war, discrimination, and poverty. To celebrate Black History Month, we will highlight contributions by Africans in early Maryland. Other exhibit-related events will be scheduled. Visit history.pgparks.com for information. Regular tour prices apply.
Chocolate Lovers’ Tea Saturday, February 18, 11 am & 1:30 pm See tea schedule on back for details.
HOME SCHOOL DAY Barriers & Gateways: The Immigrant Experience Tuesday, February 21, 1 – 3 pm (Snow day: February 28) Students will do activities related to our exhibit, Barriers & Gateways: The Immigrant Experience. They will explore the history of three large waves of immigrants in Maryland history to understand the difficult choices faced by those moving to a new land. They will get tips on how to explore their own genealogy. Reservations and advance payment required. Ages 7 and up; $7/residents; $8/Non-residents
Gifts and Spirits Series: Multicultural Mixer Saturday, March 11, 6–8 pm Join us for the first of our new “Gifts and Spirits Series,” Multicultural Mixer. We’ll enjoy drinks (alcohol optional) featuring flavors of distant lands, and do make-and-take craft projects inspired by our current exhibit, Barriers & Gateways: The Immigrant Experience in Maryland. (For other Gifts and Spirits events, see April 8 and November 4.) Must be 21 or older; $20/advance, $25/door
On display will be illustrations from 17th, 18th and 19th century “herbals,” instructional books on identifying and using herbs in medicine and cooking. The colors in these ancient prints are still vibrant, the lines graceful and elegant, and the shading almost 3-D in its effect. The images are copies from herbals in the Rare Book Division of the National Agricultural Library. Regular tour prices apply.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY
Saturday, March 18 – Monday, May 1, 11 am – 4 pm (closed Wednesdays) Opening Reception: Saturday, March 18, 1– 4 pm
A variety of scout programs available. Call for details.
Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts will do activities with herbs to learn about their various uses. They can also tour our current exhibit, Rub the Oils and Strew the Powders: The Legacy of European Herbs in Early American Medicine and Cuisine. $3.50/person
Women’s History Month Tea: Beatrice Potter for Grown-Ups Saturday, March 25, 1:30 pm
Hidden Spaces Tour
Beyond Needleart Exhibit
Sunday, June 4, 4 pm
Saturday, April 8, 1–3 pm
See April 2 for details.
Monday, November 6–Thursday, November 30 (closed Wednesdays); 11 am–4 pm
Families are invited to drop in and do a variety of hands-on activities with herbs, including make-and-take crafts, and visit our current exhibit, Rub the Oils and Strew the Powders: The Legacy of European Herbs in Early American Medicine and Cuisine. All ages; $3.50/person
Friends of Montpelier Lecture Saturday, April 8, 4 – 5:30 pm Historian John-Peter Thompson speaks on the history of herbals, from their beginning as collections of folk wisdom, to their influence on the medical sciences of today. FREE.
Gifts and Spirits Series: Color Me Sangria Saturday, April 8, 6 – 8 pm This is the second in our new “Gifts and Spirits Series,” and features cocktails and crafts inspired by our current exhibit, Rub the Oils and Strew the Powders: The Legacy of European Herbs in Early American Medicine and Cuisine. You’ll create and sip your own personal sangria blend, make a craft with herbs, and color intricate botanical images. For other Gifts and Spirits events, see November 4. Must be 21 or older; $20/advance, $25/door
This Women’s History Month we honor Beatrice Potter, a woman of many talents and passions. Not only did she write and illustrate 24 children’s books, including the beloved Tales of Peter Rabbit, she was also a botanist and conservationist. When she died in 1943 at age 77, she left most of her property to the National Trust of England, creating what is now known as the Lake District National Park, in North-West England. We celebrate her legacy of timeless children’s stories and beautiful land for all to explore. For details, see tea schedule on back.
Hidden Spaces Tour Sundays, April 2, June 4, September 3, and November 12, 4 pm. Must arrive by 4 pm to go on tour. Ever wonder what’s behind the doors that say “Staff Only” and “Do Not Enter”? Montpelier staff will conduct tours of the areas that are seldom open to the general public, including cellars, the attic, the walk-in vault, the Summer House and Carriage House. You’ll learn about the construction of the house and the changes over its 230 year history, including 20th century modernizations such as electricity and HVAC. Learn about historic preservation and construction, or just see different sections at a historic house. Tour includes narrow winding staircases and optional step ladders. Older clothes and comfortable shoes recommended. Ages 16 and up; $15; $10/Friends of Montpelier and Active Military. Reservations required; limited space.
Dad shows scout how old cameras worked at the 2016 What Is It? Exhibit Scout Day.
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Drop in Family Time at the Herb Exhibit
Scout Time: Herbal Sense Saturday, March 25, 9:30 am – 12 noon
g n i l l a C
GIRL SCOUTS & CUB SCOUTS
After-School Hands-onHistory Programs at area libraries. —February 7, 4 pm, Oxon Hill Branch —February 9, 4pm, Surratts-Clinton Branch
Visitors consider what they would pack if they had to move to a new country in the Barriers & Gateways program.
– Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog
Please call to verify dates.
MONTPELIER IN THE COMMUNITY— LIBRARY PROGRAMS!
HOME SCHOOLERS!
Steerage children at play on Freidrich der Grosse.
| TTY 301-699-2544 | history.pgparks.com |
Blast-in-the-Past: A Hands-On History Playground Thursdays–Saturdays, July 6 – August 5, 10 am–3 pm (New time!) Montpelier’s grounds will be transformed into a kid-sized colonial village! Young visitors can camp out on the frontier, design a hat at the milliners, harvest crops at the farm, and much, much more. Come for an hour or stay for the day. Drop-in, no reservations required. Win a free pass by joining PGCMLS’s “Summer@Your Library” program! All ages; $2.50/Residents; $3/Non-Residents; 2 free adults per group. Saturdays are All-County Days (all visitors pay $2.50 resident fee). Self-guided tours of the house available for an extra fee. $1 off house tour for adults attending the event.
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day! Date to be announced Free admission to Montpelier and over 1,000 museums nationwide. Visit smithsonianmag.com/ museumday/museum-day-live for information.
Mothers’ Day Tea Saturday, May 13, 1:30 pm For details, see tea schedule on back.
Monday, November 6–Friday, December 29; 11 am–4 pm (closed Wednesdays) FREE See original ornaments and other crafts, all made by local artists. Perfect for unique holiday gifts!
Scout Time at the Beyond Needlart Exhibit Saturday, November 11, 9:30 am – 12 noon Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts will do activities and crafts relating to fiber arts. They can also see our current exhibit, Beyond Needart Exhibit and shop at the Artists’ Boutique. Fee: $3.50/person
Beyond Needleart Tea Saturday, November 11, 1:30 pm For details, see tea schedule on back.
Sunday, September 3, 4 pm
Sunday, November 12, 4 pm
See April 2 for details.
See April 2 for details.
Friends of Montpelier History Lecture
Home-School Day: Social Media, 18th Century Style
Saturday, October 21, 3 – 4 pm, FREE Speaker and topic to be announced.
Tuesday, November 14, 1– 3 pm
For details, see tea schedule on back. Special for “Dearly Departed” tea goers! Stay after tea for the Tales from the Dearly Departed Talk and Tour, and get a discounted price of $6 (members and non-members) for the talk and tour.
Indulge in the sights, sounds, delightful flavors and heavenly aromas of this annual festival. With over 30 vendors of herbs and plants, handmade arts and crafts, live music, tea and scones in the East Wing of the house, food vendors, gardening lectures, nature walks, art activities, tours of the historic house, demos and open studios in the Montpelier Arts Center, the popular Blast-in-the-Past hands-on history playground for the kids, there’s something for everyone! For their annual festival fundraiser, the Friends of Montpelier will be selling potted plants and flowers. All ages; FREE (Fees apply for tea.)
Artists’ Boutique
Hidden Spaces Tour
Saturday, October 21, 5 pm
Saturday, April 29, 10 am – 4 pm (Rain or shine)
For the second year, we offer an expanded version of the Needleart Exhibit, which we hosted for 20 years. Beyond Needleart includes a variety of fiber arts. Regular tour prices apply.
Hidden Spaces Tour
Tea with the Dearly Departed
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts—21st Annual!
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, November 11, 5–7 pm
Tales from the Dearly Departed, Talk and Tour Saturday, October 21, 7 pm Hear ghostly tales, and then take a candlelit tour of Montpelier, if you dare! Other surprises in store. Adults only. Advance–$7/members, $12/non-members; Door–$10/members, $15/non-members
Silence those cell phones and take out those earbuds! We’re going to practice a vanishing art: socializing! Early Marylanders knew just how to do it: dances, teas, and parlor games were how they got acquainted. We’ll have fun mingling the old fashioned way. Fee: $7/residents; $8/Non-residents; Reservations and advance payment required.
Holiday Tours Tuesday, December 5 – Saturday, December 30, 11 am– 4 pm (closed Wednesdays) See Montpelier dressed up for the holidays on these self-guided tours. Rooms decorated by local garden clubs. Regular tour prices apply.
Holiday Teas Saturday, December 9, 12 noon & 3 pm Sunday, December 10, 12 noon & 3 pm
Gifts and Spirits Series: Chocolate, Silk, and Wine Saturday, November 4, 6–8 pm Our third “Gifts and Spirits Series,” is inspired by our Beyond Needleart Exhibit, featuring fiber arts and unique gifts of all kinds. You will design a silk accessory to give away or keep for yourself, and indulge in luxurious wine and chocolate. After all, you work hard to make the holidays special for others, don’t you deserve some pampering too? Must be 21 or older; $20/advance, $25/door
Please see tea schedule on back for details.
Soiree at the Snowdens’ Saturday, December 16, 5–8 pm The Snowdens were known for their hospitality. Join us for an evening of cheer and merriment, featuring the culinary diversity of our local communities. Sponsored in part by the Friends of Montpelier. Must be 21 or older to enter. Fee: $15/ members; $20/non-members. Reservations required.