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 Ridgley and Major Thomas Snowden, both members of prominent Maryland families. Two firebacks in the house inscribed “TSA 1783” indicate the owners and probable completion of the central block of the house. 2018 marks the 235th anniversary of the building of Montpelier. We invite you to celebrate this stately home with a series of exhibits and events, and see for yourself why Montpelier is often called the best example of Georgian architecture in Maryland. As with any old structure, this National Historic Landmark requires lots of TLC. The 70-year old slate roof is in need of repair. In celebration of Montpelier’s 235th anniversary, the Slate Roof Campaign will kick off in 2018.
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We hope you will help to preserve Montpelier for generations to come. Seventy acres, the main house, and summer house remain of what once was a plantation with land holdings servants 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 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 12/17
INFORMATION: 301-377-7817 TTY 301-699-2544
Martha Washington, and Abigail Adams.
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
of approximately 9,000 acres. Inventories and census records indicate enslaved Africans and indentured
Volunteer!
Montpelier remained in the Snowden
IES Y FAMIL R A T I L I M TO U R S ! E E R F T GE bor Day
l – La Memoria s! Museum r a t s e lu g with B arfam.or t s e lu B Visit w mation for infor
family until 1890. The house was restored in the 1980s to reflect the occupation of
From giving tours to office work and gardening, to
Nicholas Snowden, who inherited the
being a tea hostess or assisting with hands-on-history
house and owned it until his death in 1831.
programs, there are different opportunities. Contribute, learn, make new friends, and have fun! Please e-mail
Now a National Historic Landmark,
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com if you are interested.
Montpelier is considered one of the finest examples of 18th century Georgian
THE FRIENDS OF MONTPELIER, a volunteer
architecture in the state. Large trees and
organization, works with M-NCPPC staff
boxwood grace the landscape.
Celebrating 235 Years! CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018 history.pgparks.com
Also located on the grounds is the Montpelier Arts Center, a multi-faceted
to preserve the site’s history. Members
Low Res
assist in presenting programs throughout the year. Among its members are
facility, offering a wide range of arts
descendants of past owners. To learn
programming, and studios. Go to arts.
about membership benefits and to join,
pgparks.com for a full listing of
visit friendsofmontpelier.org. To friend
activities and hours of operation or
the Friends go to www.facebook.com/
call 301-377-7800.
friendsofmontpelier.
Explore Montpelier’s Historic Landscape Granite statue adorns outdoor seating area behind Carriage House.
Teas! There is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a cup of tea.
Explore the garden and tell time by the sun.
– R a l p h W a l d o E m er s o n
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: $30 per person; $26 for members of Friends of Montpelier Price includes self-guided tour of the house and gratuity. Price does not include tax. Reservations and payment required by the Wednesday before the tea. Chocolate Lovers’ Tea Saturday, February 10, 11 am & 2 pm Women’s History Month Tea: Clara Barton’s Legacy of Aid and Comfort Saturday, March 17, 2 pm
Montpelier Arts Center
See the Summer House
Festival Tea Saturday, April 28 – Timed seatings (for ticket information, visit pgparks.com, click on Festivals, then choose Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts)
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
Queen Bee Mother’s Day Tea Saturday, May 12; 11 am & 2 pm Tea with the Dearly Departed Saturday, October 20, 5 pm Beyond Needleart Tea Saturday, November 10, 2 pm Holiday Teas December 8, 11 am & 2 pm December 9, 11 am & 2 pm
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Inspector Pediment, official mascot of Montpelier’s 235th birthday.
EXHIBIT Civil War Soldiers: Discovering the Men of the 25th United States Colored Troops Friday, January 12–Sunday, March 11, 11 am– 4 pm (closed Wednesdays) Opening Reception: Saturday, January 13, 3– 8 pm Talk and book signing by the artist, 3 – 4 pm After viewing an antique photo album of 17 black soldiers from the Civil War, artist Shayne Davidson researched, created a family tree, wrote a biography, and drew a life-sized, colored pencil portrait of each man. The result is now a book and exhibit of the same name. All ages; FREE with regular admission.
Gifts and Spirits Series: Treasured Memories Saturday, March 10, 6 – 8 pm Make an old-fashioned keepsake, enjoy beverages like your great, great grandparents had, and see our Civil War portraits exhibit. If you like, bring an old photo for show and tell. Reservations required. Adults; $26/resident; $33/non-resident.
Chesapeake Woodturners’ Exhibit
Chocolate Lovers’ Tea
Saturday, March 17-Sunday, April 29, 11 am– 4 pm (closed Wednesdays) Opening Reception, Sunday, March 18, 1– 4 pm
Saturday, February 10, 11 am & 2 pm
From the marvelous natural wood patterns to the mastery of different finishes, the Chesapeake Woodturners’ creative aptitudes will have you asking, “how do they do that?” Demonstrations will be given Saturdays in April, 11 am to 4 pm (April 28, 10 am–4 pm), weather permitting (please call to verify). FREE
For details, see tea schedule on back.
Photo Preservation Workshop Saturday, March 3, 1– 3 pm Led by Montpelier’s Collections Manager, Joseph Sherren, this workshop will introduce you to some of the techniques used by conservators to care for and store photographic images. You will learn the basics of storage, conservation, and preservation to keep your family’s photographs in excellent condition for years to come. Adults; $10/residents; $15/non-residents
HOME SCHOOL DAY Portraits of the Past Tuesday, March 6, 1– 3 pm Examining portraiture throughout the centuries, we will see how family life has changed from the 1700s to today. Reservations required. Ages 7 and up; $7/residents; $8/nonresidents
Scout and Family Day at Men of the 25th United States Colored Troops Exhibit Saturday, March 10, 10 am to noon Do activities related to our current exhibit. All ages; $3.50/person
Women’s History Month Tea: Clara Barton’s Legacy of Aid and Comfort Saturday, March 17, 2 pm For details, see tea schedule on back.
Hidden Spaces Tour Sunday, April 8, 4 pm (also offered 1st Sunday in May, June, September, October, and November) 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 235 year history, 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.
African-American Genealogy Workshop, with a Focus on the Civil War Era Saturday, March 10, 1– 3 pm Bring your laptop to Montpelier to research your family’s history! Nathania Miles, noted author, family research expert, and speaker will lead this informative, hands-on session, which will focus on Civil War era research. Adults; $5/residents; $7/non-residents.
Gifts and Spirits Series: Chesapeake Woodturners
| TTY 301-699-2544 | history.pgparks.com |
CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS: Discovering the Men of the 25th United States Colored Troops
CHESAPEAKE WOODTURNERS EXHIBIT
January 12–March 11
Opening reception: March 18, 1–4 pm
Opening Reception: January 13, 3–8 pm Talk by the artist: 3 – 4 pm
Lathe Demos: April 7, 14, 21, 11 am–4 pm, April 28, 10 am–4 pm
Related events for families and adults: March 3 and 10
April 21: Make a pen on the lathe, enjoy distilled beverages, and play tavern games.
Details in calendar below
Details in calendar below
March 17–April 29
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts—22nd Annual!
Blast-in-the-Past
Beyond Needleart Exhibit
Thursdays–Saturdays, July 5– August 4, 10 am –3 pm
Saturday, April 28, 10 am – 4 pm (Rain or shine)
For the 7th year, we’ll be turning Montpelier’s grounds into a kid-sized colonial village. Come for an hour or stay for the day. Drop in, no reservations necessary. Win a free pass by joining PGMLS’s “Summer@Your Library” program! All ages; $2.50/residents, $3/non-residents. Saturdays all visitors pay the resident fee! Self-guided tours of the house available for an extra fee. New this year! Buy a season’s pass, and get 5 visits for the price of 4!
Monday, November 5 –29 (closed Wednesdays) 11 am– 4 pm
With over 30 vendors of herbs and plants, handmade arts and crafts, live music, tea and scones in the elegant East Wing, food vendors, gardening lectures, nature walks, art activities, tours of the historic house, demos and open studios in the Arts Center, the popular Blast-in-the-Past hands-on history playground, there really IS something for everyone! The Friends of Montpelier will be selling potted plants and flowers for their annual fundraiser. All ages; FREE
Hidden Spaces Tour Sunday, May 6, 4 pm See April 8 for details.
Queen Bee Mother’s Day Tea Saturday, May 12, 11 am & 2 pm For details, see tea schedule on back.
See April 8 for details.
Hidden Treasures: Restoration and Archaeology at Montpelier BEFORE
Saturday, June 30– Sunday, August 26, 11 am – 4 pm (closed Wednesdays)
See some of the 4,000 artifacts found by archaeologists during Montpelier’s year-long restoration in 2013. These artifacts reveal dramatic changes in how the residents of Montpelier lived over the centuries. Includes kids’ activities about the science of archaeology and importance of preservation. AFTER Regular tour prices apply.
Happy 235th Family Birthday Party for Montpelier! Saturday, June 30, 2– 4 pm WE’RE GONNA PARTY LIKE IT’S 1783! Fun activities for all. Donations welcome, and will go toward slating Montpelier’s roof. SLATE THE ROOF SHINDIG! 6–10 pm An adult evening celebration, with live music, dinner, dancing, and a few surprises. Proceeds go toward restoring Montpelier’s roof. $50/members of Friends of Montpelier; $75/non-members.
Monday, November 5–Friday, December 28 (closed Wednesdays), 11 am – 4 pm Shop for original ornaments and quality crafts made by local artists. Perfect for holiday gifts.
Saturday, November 10, 11 am – 1 pm
See April 8 for details.
Join Montpelier’s Collection Manager, Joseph Sherren, for a workshop on antique textiles. You will learn techniques to care for and store various textile materials. Leave knowing how to best care for your family’s heirlooms including wedding dresses, hats, and quilts. Adults; $10/residents; $15/non-residents.
Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live! Saturday, September 22, 11 am – 3 pm Free admission to thousands of museums around the U.S. Visit smithsonianmag.com/museumday for details.
Friends of Montpelier Fall History Lecture September 22, 2 pm
Hidden Spaces Tour
Sunday, June 3, 4 pm
Artists’ Boutique
Textile Preservation Workshop
Historian Lee Preston speaks on new discoveries on the Snowden, Dorsey and Carroll ironworks. FREE.
Hidden Spaces Tour
Now in its third year, Beyond Needleart display the fiber art of local artists. Regular tour prices apply.
Sunday, September 2, 4 pm
Saturday, May 19, 2 pm
Friends of Montpelier Spring History Lecture
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, November 10, 5–7 pm
Hidden Spaces Tour
What is a National Historic Landmark? Montpelier director Mary Jurkiewicz explains what this honored designation means, and how sites achieve this status. FREE.
Saturday, April 21, 4– 6 pm Guided by members of the Chesapeake Woodturners, you will turn your own pen on a lathe. You can also view the Chesapeake Woodturners’ exhibit and tour Montpelier, talk to the wood turners, play some tavern games, and enjoy some adult beverages. Reservations required. Adults; $26/resident; $33/non-resident
Please call to verify dates.
Sunday, October 7, 4 pm See April 8 for details.
Tea with the Dearly Departed Saturday, October 20, 5 pm For details, see tea schedule on back.
Tales from the Dearly Departed
Beyond Needleart Tea Saturday, November 10, 2 pm For details, see tea schedule on back.
HOME SCHOOL DAY 18th Century Architecture, 21st Century Restoration Tuesday, November 13, 1– 3 pm Learn why Montpelier is considered one of the best examples of Georgian style architecture in Maryland, and the work that goes into preserving it for generations to come. Reservations and advance payment required. Ages 7 and up; $7/residents; $8/non-residents
Scout and Family Day at Beyond Needleart Exhibit Saturday, November 17, 10 am– 12 pm Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and families are invited to do fiber art activities. Visit our current exhibit, Beyond Needleart, and shop at the Artists’ Boutique. $3.50/person
Saturday, October 20, 7 pm Reservations recommended, space is limited. Adults only. Performance and price to be announced.
Holiday Tours
Gifts and Spirits Series: Chocolates, Gifts and Wine
See Montpelier dressed up for the holidays on these self-guided tours. Regular tour prices apply.
Tuesday, December 4 – Saturday, December 29 (closed Wednesdays), 11 am – 4 pm
Saturday, November 3, 6– 8 pm Before the holiday season gets too hectic, indulge in chocolate and wine-a calm before the storm. You’ll also make a luxurious gift for someone on your list, or keep it for yourself. Reservations required. Fee: TBA
Hidden Spaces Tour Sunday, November 4, 4 pm See April 8 for details.
Holiday Teas December 8 & 9, 11 am & 2 pm See schedule on back for details.
Soirée at the Snowdens’ Saturday, December 15, 5– 8 pm Join us for our third annual holiday celebration, featuring live music, and dinner fare donated by local restaurants. Sponsored in part by the Friends of Montpelier. Must be 21 or older to enter. Reservations and advance payment required. Fee: $25/members, $35/non-members