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
H I S T O R I C
A Little Bit of History
N
S I T E
NOW A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, 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 the year the central block of the house was likely completed. This Georgian house and land holdings of approximately 9,000 acres — which contained the Patuxent Ironworks and a vast plantation of tobacco and other crops — was home to four generations of the Snowdens, indentured servants and enslaved individuals. Major Thomas’ estate inventory lists
gparks k.com/p faceboo ks gp m/p ar drec twitter.co gparksan /p m o .c m ra ag st in r/ .com/use n youtube io at e cr re d n pgparksa
the names and ages of 169 enslaved people with descriptions such as: Ben, a 28 year-old blacksmith,
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, and Abigail Adams. The property was owned by the Snowden family until 1890. Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Montpelier, who advocated to restore Montpelier in the 1980s, visitors have explored this house for decades. 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 12/18
INFORMATION: 301-377-7817 TTY 301-699-2544
GIFT SHOP HOURS: 10 am–4 pm (closed Wednesday) Visit our online shop!
RENTALS: The mansion is available for small gatherings, luncheons and meetings.
SCOUT AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS: See inside.
TOURS: A modest admission fee is charged. Partially accessible. Guided Tours: Monthly, 4th Sunday at 1 and 2:30 pm. Please call to verify. 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 Historic Site
9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708
Find us
on Faceboo
k Badge
CMYK /
.ai
s U w o l l o F
and Deborah, 75 and “infirm.”
Seventy acres, the main house, and
Volunteer!
summerhouse remain. Large trees and boxwoods grace the landscape.
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 rfam.or a t s e u l Visit B mation for infor
Also located on the grounds is the
From giving tours to office work to gardening, to
Montpelier Arts Center, a multi-
being a tea hostess or assisting with hands-on-history
faceted facility, offering a wide range
programs, there are many ways to help. Please e-mail
of arts programming, along with
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com for more information.
artists’ studios. For a full listing of
THE FRIENDS OF MONTPELIER, a volunteer
activities and hours of operation go to
organization, works with
arts.pgparks.com or call 301-377-7800.
M-NCPPC staff to preserve the site’s history. For more information, call
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2019
301-377-7817.
history.pgparks.com Facebook/PGParksHistory
Explore Montpelier’s Historic Landscape Granite statue adorns outdoor seating area behind Carriage House.
Teas! A woman is like a tea bag— you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
Explore the garden and tell time by the sun.
– E l e a n o r R o o s e v e lt
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: $30 + tax per person; $26 + 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, February 9, 11 am & 2 pm Women’s History Month Tea: Celebrating Suffragists Saturday, March 16, 2 pm Followed by a staged reading of 19: The Musical at 3:30 pm (see details and cost for reading on other side) Montpelier Arts Center
See the Summer House
Festival Tea Saturday, April 27 – 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
Mother’s Day Tea Saturday, May 11; 11 am & 2 pm Tea with the Dearly Departed Saturday, October 19, 5 pm Beyond Needlework Tea Saturday, November 9, 2 pm Holiday Teas Saturday, December 14, 11 am & 2pm Sunday, December 15, 11 am & 2 pm