Newsand Notes E EE e PrinceGeorge's County g E ET .a E HistoricalSociety -
January-February 2002 Our 50'hYear XXXI Number I
'4
LOSS OF A LANDMARK
In November2001, Prince George's County lost a very noticeablelandmark in CollegePark - Brown's Tavern,also known as White HouseTavern, which stoodon the west sideof U.S. 1, just outsidethe CapitalBeltway. County inspectorshad determinedthat the building was in such deterioratedcondition that it was structurallydangerous, and their determinationwas confirmed by severalstructural engineers. The building was demolishedon November29,2001. The CountyHistoric PreservationCommission is now in the processof drawingup a memorandum of agreementwith the property owners. The agreementwill contain severalmeasures to compensatefor the loss of the historic landmark- o.9.,the developingproperty will containa landscapedgarden space with a commemorativeplaque and areplica of the historic turnpike milestone,the new developmenton the propertywill include an educational,interactive computerexhibit on the history of the tavern,and a restorationfund will be establishedand dedicatedto the preservationof the County'sother historic properties. Brown's Tavern was a two-and-one-half- his real estatewas bequeathedto two story frame side-gabledbuilding, with executors, William Lorman and William numerousadditions on the side and rear, and Gwynn, in trust for his daughter, Sarahowho a prominent twentieth-century front portico. was the wife of JacobGiles Smith. Lorman The main block of the building dated from and Smith, both of whom lived in Baltimore, the 1830s,and part of the rear wing may soon becamemuch involved in the building have been significantly earlier. The building of the Washingtonand Baltimore turnpike. servedfor nearly fifty years in the nineteenth By Act of Assemblyin 1812,a companywas century as a tavern and stage stop on the incorporated to build the road, sixty feet turnpike between Washington and Baltimore. wide, from Baltimore south,past McCoy's For nearly fifty years during the twentieth tavern at Vansville, past Evans' White century it servedas the centerpieceof a House tavern,and Ross'sTavern (now motor-hotel complex. On the groundssouth known as the RossboroughInn at the of the tavern building stood an original, and University of Maryland campus),then badly weatheredTurnpike milestone. through Bladensburginto Washington. Carved into its east face was the inscription: Both Lorman and Smith were appointed *25 M to B" (25 miles to Baltimore). In supervisorsfor constructionof the road at 1998the historic milestonewas removedfor the Baltimore end. The White HouseTavern, safekeeping,and stored at one of the during the possessionof JacobSmith and his headquartersof the State Highway wife, becameone of the principalstops for Administration; a replica will soon be created the stagecoacheswhich ran along the new and placed at the site of the historic tavern turnpike. complex. JacobSmith died in the 1820s,leaving his The White House Tavern stood on a tract of widow, SarahEvans Smith, and two adult land known as Chew's Folly, which belonged children. In 1830the Smithheirs, together at the end of the eighteenthcentury to with trusteeLorman, conveyedthe 500-acre William Evans of Baltimore. Evans owned Evans/Smithland to Richard Stockton and the "White House" Tavern at this location, William Stokesof the prominentStockton on the west side of the road which ran and Stokesstagecoach company. This land betweenBladensburg and Vansville; it was a included the improvements"known as White two-story frame structure,30 by l8 feet, House and at which a Tavern was formerly with a rear addition of essentiallythe same kept, describedin Evans' will as that at size, and at the end of the century it was which the line of stagesfrom Baltimore to occupied and operatedby a num named Washingtonwere accustomedto stop." This Thomas Roades. 500-acrefarm was purchasedby John W. Brown in 1835. At the end of the eighteenthcentury, the GeneralAssembly began to consider the John W. Brown was born in New York in establishmentof a toll pike betweenthe new 1799;circa 1818,he cameto Maryland,and FederalCity and Baltimore. The first Act of beganto work as a stagecoachdriver on the Assemblyrelated to this subject was in 1796, Baltimore Washingtonpike. At somepoint but the construction of the road did not during this period, he becamethe managerof beginuntil the end of I 812. In the meantime the White House Tavern, and, if family (1807), William Evansdied in Baltimore, and tradition is correct, also servedtemporarily as the managerof Ross's Taverg which was considerablereal estate(by then over 1500 owned after l82l by George Calvert of acres), including the White House Farm and Riversdale,one of the directors of the Tavenr, to be equally divided between his Washingtonand Baltimore Turnpike. wife and nine children. His widow continued to operate the Tavern for approximatelyten According to family tradition, the old White more years, serving also as trustee for the House Tavern was destroyedby fire during three youngest (minor) children. When the Brown's management,and it was he who property was divided among the heirs, it was built the familiar structure to replaceit circa the Browns' youngest surviving daughter, 1834. Certainlythe structuralmembers and Almira Brown Mulloy, who receivedthe interior trim of the building would support portion where the tavern stood. It remained this date of construction,as doesthe in her possession,as a rental residence,until noticeableincrease in the assessedvalue of 1913. The property changedhands several the property recordedin 1834. The new more times before it was purchasedby the tavern was significantly larger (circa 45 by Irwin family in 1940. 30 feet) than the original; the rear kitchen *ing, however, had dimensionssimilar to The twentieth century saw another great thoseof the rear addition recordedin 1798, changein transportation patternswith the and may have rested on those older advent of the automobile. Whereasrraffic on foundations. It has not been firmly the turnpike road had decreasedduring the substantiatedwhether the new building nineteenthcentury due to the competition of occupiedthe preciselocation of the original, the parallel rafuoad, line, it beganto increase but in any case,Brown purchasedthe entire againin the 1920sand 1930swith the 500-acreWhite HouseFarnL includingthe growing number of privately owned new Tavern,early in 1835. automobilesand the improvementof the old turnpike road into the heavily traveled Route John W. Brown occupiedand operatedthe 1. In 1940 Almira Brown Mulloy's ten-acre new White House Tavern from the time of allotment was purchasedby Felix lrwill and its constructioncirca 1834 until his deathin the century-old tavern structure wim 1862. Ironically, within a short time after convertedinto a motor hotel. The two-story the constructionof the new tavern,the Victorian verandawith its jigsawn Baltimore and Ohio railroad line beganto balustradesand perforated frieze coursewas operate,on a line just a half mile to the east, removed, and replacedwith tall tile columns; betweenBaltimore and Washington. After in place of the second-storyverandq a small 1835,traffic on the turnpike beganto second-storybalcony wils built to frame the decrease,replaced by the convenienceof the central entrance. A porch along the north new railroad; in defenseagainst its new gable end was enclosedto serveas the office competitor, the turnpike directors beganto entranceand waiting room. Within a few decreasethe turnpike tolls, maintenanceof years, small brick cottage units were built on the road consequentlydeteriorated, and by the grounds north and west of the tavern, the period of the Civil War, the Washington substantially increasing the capacity of the and Baltimore Turnpike was in serious motor hotel. Although its appearanceand its trouble. setting had beenconsiderably altered, the White House Tavern had once aguncome to John W. Brown died n 1862,leavinghis reflect a latter dav manifestation of its original function, i.e., a stopprngplace for African-American education. Ms. Gray who travellers on a heavily-usedartery of both attendedthe school and taught there, transportation. also representedthe Ridgely family that is so closely associatedwith the school and the The complex operated as a motel for nearly nearby Ridgely Church. Ms. Pearl also fifty years in the twentieth century. By the representedthe Historic Preservation 1990s,the motel complex had shut dowrtr Commission,through which the Ridgely and the historic tavern building was in School may achieveHistoric Site designation seriouslydeteriorating condition. Various (and thus protection). They were joined by plans beganto be consideredfor Carolyn Rowe, representingthe Historical developmentof the property. Years of and Cultural Trust and its current project to neglect, vandalisnLand finally the tornado of erect historical markers at severalof the September2001 took their toll, and the County's Rosenwaldschools. (For building was determinedto be beyond information about RosenwaldSchools, see salvage. Its demolition late in November PGCHS Newsand Notes,XXVIII, Number 2001 has taken away a familiar landmark of 2, March 2000.) All expressedconcern considerablehistorical importance. about the deterioratingcondition of the building, presentlyused as the County Swon G. Pearl, January 2002. The School bus dispatchdepot, and the hope following qrticle is also by Susan and that, like the HighlandPark School (a includes previously publ ishe d information. happily successfulpreservation case), Ridgely School can be recognizedand protectedthrough the County's Preservation Ordinance.
The Board of Educationstaffseemed SAWNG L/INDMARIff genuinelyinterested in the history and significanceof Ridgely School, and will undertakean examinationof its structural Although the County Historic Preservation condition. We havenow had a second Commissionworked for severalyears with productivemeeting with the Board of the owners and developersin an effort to Educationstafi and will keep the Society saveBrown's Tavern, these efforts in the membershipinformed of progressthrough end failed. The Historical Society was not upcomingissues ofNews and Notes. For involved in these efforts, but has taken steps now we will update and reprint part to becomevery much involved (through of the above-citedNews and Notes article on joining with other groups in the preservation Ridgely School and on HighlandPark School community) in recognizing and preserving (anotherRosenwald School). As another part of our heritage. counterpointto the loss of Brown's Tavern, read on - about the history of Ridgely Three Society members,President John School,and about the successful Petro, Historian SusanPearl, and Director preservation,rehabilitation and continued Mildred Ridgely Gray recently met with staff use of HighlandPark School. of the County Board of Education regarding the preservationof Ridgely School, one of our County's landmarksin the history of Prince George'sCounty Historical Society Heritage Calendar March 2002
2,9,16 Colonial Mornings: Colonial Children'sActivities MontpelierMansion l0-12 301-953-1376S$
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18- Presidents'Duy ShorelineWalk NationalColonial Farm I l:30-2 301-283-21l3 Free
23- "Around the World with Amelia Earhart"a Living l{istory Presentation CollegePark AviationMuseum l & 3 301-864-6029$$
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28- "The GreatBlack Jockeys" EdwardHotaling lecture BelairMansion 7:30 301-809-3089Free PRINCEGEORGE'S COUNTY HtsToRtcALsoctETY PUBLICATIONS Princc Gcorgc's County: A Plcf.oriat Hbtor\t ry Ahn Vht: Raviscdl9t8 UpdatedEdirion. Herdcover 3@ pa8es.Prtce 942.95 S&H$3.00* Ihe history rnd Gsseocrof hinc€ Georye's County corne allvein words and pictur.s in this b€autifulcollcctorr! cdition. Wrilten In a hicinrtrnt narrttiv€widr more tJirn 350 photcgraph3,nraps and illustrations. many in full color rnd prrviqusl/ unpubli:hld. Calveft,of Moryland ReprintofJarnesOtis Kaler'sl9l0 publication,Hardcover 166 pages, pen and ink illustradons.Price $6.95 l'hishct-based novel shows the homeliie of the colonstsfrom a child'sviewsoint. This story is told in the {irst personby yogng
Atlos of fifteen Miles around Washington including the County of Prince George illoryland leprint 1t75. Soft cover 47 pages.Price $!0.00 3ompiled,Drawn & fublished from Actual Surveysby G.M. Hopkins 1878including "historical' sretches. Indexed.
Itlas of PrinceGeorycl Counf, Motylond l85l teprid 19 . Softcover 32 pages. Price $10.00 {darwar adaptcd from l.larteneds Mrp of PrinceGeorle's Counry Martland, witlr nfornation r Prince 6eorge's County, Maryland Indexes of Church Registers t 686-r 885 folume I Pt'otestontEpiscopal Church, Klng Georye'sPorish & QueenAnne's Forish >y Helen W. Brown Reprint 2000 Soft cover 200 pages. Price $ 18.00 Prince George's Countyt Maryland lndexes of Church Registers 1686-f885 Volume2 Protstant EpiscopalChurch,5t Poul'sPorish and PrinceGeorge's Porish by Helen W. Brown Reprint 2000 Softc over 196 pages. Price $18.00 Out ofthc Past- Prlncc Gcorgconr and their Land ryRLeeVrnHorn Rcprlnt 1996 Hardcover422 pat6, Price$20.00 :hronicleof eyerydaylife in Prin(eG.orge s County,Maryhnd from fte lime of lti foundingin 1696qntil Lhebeglnnint of the ChilWar iom informationlleaned from public19gE4l51qg6p3g9qs144l9nvate paoers. I rtccntenni ol Cook Eook :smpiled& Edircdby Doroth/ Rainwarer& TriccnrennralCclebration Commicee, Pri^red 1996. Sok co?er,rpinl bcund 150prgcr. ticc t10.00 Contrinsrecip€s collected from countyresidents ai partof the ricentenniaicelebradon. loumcy Through Timc - A Pictoriol History of thc PrinccGcorge's County Policc Depaftmcnt ,y Lt, Dcnnl5Cempbell Printed | 99 | Hardcover 304 Patei. Price $40.00 StH S3.00* \ hbtory of the county police dePartmentcovint over 200 years lndexed. Shipping& Handling: *lourncy * * P.G. nao{ot Htttot f, Througlt Timc & Landmorls af PrinccGcorgc's County Shipping& Handlingis $3.00each for thesebooks. They are shippedseParate. ALLOTHER BOOKS - S & H $2.50EACH AND 501FOR EACH ADDITIONAL BOOK. InternationalOrders Pleaseadd $ 10.00ro the costof shiPpingand handling' Scndorders to: Princo George's County Historical Society Makechecks payable to: Publication Sales Prince George's County Historical Society P.O. Box I rl Haraland residents plerse add 5% selestar( Rivcrdele, l'lD 20738.00l4 Ridgely prototypicalfeatures of the Rosenwald schoolhouses,and is probablyin theclosest The RidgelySchool ("Colored" School # I to originalcondition of the primaryschools in ElectionDistrict #13) wasbuilt in built in PrinceGeorge's County's during the | 927. Beforethis schoolwas built, classes Rosenwaldprogram. for elementarystudents had been held in the Lodge,or "SocietyHall", which stood HighlandPark School on the lot immediatelyadioining to theeast, andacross the streetwas the Methodist The HighlandPark Schoolwas built onlya church.The first church on thissite had yearafter Ridgely School. It wasdesigned beenerected in the 1870s,and known as by the samearchitectural firm as Ridgely, RidgelyChurch after the family of its but it differsgreatly from Ridgely in size, principaltrustee. By the l 890sa small material,purpose and locale. Two schools, communityhad developed in thisarea; its oneat HighlandPark and one at Lakeland focalpoints were Ridgely Church, the werebuilt from the same design in I928. Lodge,and, later, the adjoining The Lakelandand Highland Park Schools schoolhouse. arelarge and substantial brick structures; eachwas built in a developingsuburb, and In the surveyof ColoredPublic Schools of eachwas intended to provideeducation l923/24 (at whichtime there were 42 throughthe HighSchool grades. elementaryschools for blackchildren in PrinceGeorge's County), it wasrecorded The first HighSchool for blackstudents in thata newRosenwald school was PrinceGeorge's County had been programmedfor constructionat Ridgely.In establishedin theCounty Seat (Upper | 927, the Boardof Educationpurchased 2 Marlboro)in l92l; beforethat, African- acresof landfrom the Ridgelyfamily. The Americanstudents who aspired to higher architecturalfirm of Linthicumand educationhad to travelinto theDistrict of Linthicumwas contracted to designa two- Columbia.The UpperMarlboro High roomschoolhouse on thisland, similar to Schoolserved the students of thesouthern two otherschools built in thatyear, The part of theCounty. Within its first yearor RidgelySchool opened in 1927, a so, pressureswere brought to bearon the prototypeof the blackelementary schools Boardof Educationto providesecondary constructedin thelate 1920s: two large educationto moreof thecounty's African- classrooms,each of whichserved at least Americanpopulation. By I 927, the threegrade levels, a ceptralpassage, and Linthicumand Linthicum firm was an entrancewayflanked by two cloakooms. contractedto desi$ two morehigh schools for blackstudents: in Lakeland,to serve RidgelySchool served as a SpecialCenter studentsfrom the northwestern part of the duringthe early 1950s, and since the late County,and Highland Park to servethose I 960s hasserued as thebus management fromthe north central area. officefor the PrinceGeorge's County Public Schools.Although the building has been The HighlandPark and Lakelandschools alteredto meetthe needs of its currentuse, weresubstantial brick buildings,architect- andalthough it is not in goodcondition designedby thefirm Linthicumand today,it still exhibitsmany of the Linthicumof Raleigh,North Carolina. They werenearly identical to oneanother, built From the Editor's Desk on the sameplan. Eachschool had six room), largeclassrooms (each with a cloak As many of our readers know, I prefer to a library,an office,girls' andboys' organizenewsletters around themes. This bathrooms,and a utility room. Eachwas a can be an annoying habit, especiallywhen I largehip-roof building with archedentrance repeatedlyask my main supplier, Historian enframedby a proiectingfrontispiece SusanG. Pearl, for ffirmation and articles. - surmountedby a shapedparapet the So, once again I am indebtedto her. The parapetsof the two schoolsare slightly theme for this issuerelates to a musical ternr, differentin decoration,but bothare counterpointor "a themeor elementin a distinguishedby the useof stonefor the work of art that forms a contrast with parapetffips, the keystonesand decorative another" and was brought to mind by the plaques.The two schoolsopened in thefall approachingmusical event of the year, the of I 928, seruingall gradesfrom first SchubertFestivaf March 23-25. (Seetheir throughtwelfth. Overthe morethan 70 website at www.stompingground. c om/ yearsof theirexistence, these two schools schubertfor details)and a call from our old haveundergone changes, serving as iunior friendPaul Lanham. He drew my attention highschools after larger high schools were to an article in the Real Estatesection of the builtand after school desegregation, and lVashington Post dated Saturday,January lateras elementaryschools. 19,2002. The piececalled "Eclectic Area Shows What's Not in a Name" concerned The HighlandPark School has had a series the renamingof the WhiskeyBottom Road of majoradditions, so thatthe original ElementarySchool in the early 1990sto buildingnow constitutes the northernmost Laurel Woods Elementaryto escapecertain wingof a largerbuilding complex. As the historicalconnotations. Paul pointed out originalold buildingbegan to ageand that the article quoted "local historianJohn deteriorate,there was thought of Calder" which was the nom de plume of demolishingit, but theCounty's John Brennan,who was very active in the PreservationOrdinance, aided early days of the Historical Society and who immeasurablyby an arousedlocal encouragedPaul to run for Presidentof the constituency,managed to stressthe historic organization.The discussionof the andarchitectural significance of the historical significanceof the name Whiskey building.It wasdesignated as an Historic Bottom brought to mind an earlierissue of Siteunder the County'sPreservation Newsand Notes from the fall of 2000 whose Ordinancein I 992, andtoday it hasbeen themewas "What's in a Name." Point- throughlyrehabilitated. Highland Park Counterpoint. Schoolhas opened once again, this timeas a neighborhoodelementary school. Susanhad already written an article on the Througha proiectundertaken by the loss of Brown's Tavern in CollegePark and I Historicaland Cultural Trust, a handsome went back to her and requesteda bronzesign will soonbe erectedon the counterpoint story. She kindly updated a schoolgrounds, commemorating the history previously publishedarticle related to the andsignificance of this importanteducational Ridgely and Highland Park schools, It seems landmark. like a fitting tribute to February as Black History Month although as historical society OFFICERS AI\ID BOARI} HISTORICAL SOCIETY members,w€ celebrateall historical roots every month. President JohnPetro Vice President Jim Wolfe I would also call your attention to an exhibit Secretary DustyRhodes at the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, Treasurer Joycellber 12826 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel, called Historian SusanG. Pearl "//hot's Hair Got to Do With It? The Editor SharonH. Sweeting Historical ond Culturol Significance of Membership DonnaSchneider African American Hair and Hairstyles " on displayuntil February24,2002. For Directors additional information on the exhibit or on the M-NCPPC Black History Program,call Bill Uber EugeneRoberts Mildred Gray 301-454-1780. Iris McConnell Anna Holmes Lynn Roberts Andy Wallace On February IUh, at Marietta Mansion,join John Mitchell SarahBourne us for Henry Wixon singingsongs by Diane Stultz Joyce Dowling Wallis Cain StephenFoster, a favorite American Bob Crawley Phyllis Herncion songwriterof the l9s centurywho wrote the words and music to such favorites as My Past Presidents Old Kentucky Home, Oh! Susanna,The OId Follrsat Home, CamptownRaces, Jeannie John Giannetti Bud Dutton Lester Sweeting with the Light Brown Hair, andBeautiful Paul Lanham Joyce McDonald Dreamer. He will be accompaniedby Helen JaneEagen Dodd Smith on an 1876pump organ donatedto Thepositions of Facility the Mansion by Jane Eagen and Lewis Monager and Gift Shop Manager are automatic Dodd which belongedto his grandmother. membersof (Details in Calendar) the Board. In Memoriam On December 3/,,2001, at age 94, Lena Cantrell Dixon, mother offormer Prince George's County Historical Society President Joyce McDonald, died in Red Lion, PA. Mrs. Dixon was an accomplished needlewoman,a talent inherited by her daughter. In the late 1980sand early I990s, Mrs. Dixon, while visiting Joyce, volunteeredat many Historical Society events, on various projects, and made craft items to sell in the Gift shop. Remembrances of Mrs. Dixon m6y be sent to 71I7 Pony Trail Lane, Hyattsville, MD 20782 PRINCE GEORGE'S Non-Profit Org. COUNTY HISTORICAL U.S.Postage Paid SOCTETY Riverdale,MD PermitNo. 1948 Post Office Box 14 Riverdale,Maryland 20738-00 l4 MR & IV1RSJOHN J PETRO PO BOX1668 MITCHELLVILLEMD 20717 AN N UAL M EMBERSHIP APPLICATION DATE NAME: ADDRESS: CITY.STATE. ZIP: TELEPHONEHome Business PLEASEINDICATE: NEW RENEWAL DUESCATEGORY (PLEASE CHECK ONE) MEMBER/FAMILY $25.00SUSTAINING MEMBER $5O.OO |NSTTTUTIONALMEMBER $50.00L|FE MEMBER _ $300.00 ADDITIONALCONTRI BUTION I am alsointerested in helpingthe Societyas a volunteer. Pleasecontact me regardingvolunteer opportunities. For membershipin the Maryland Historical Society, includean additional$30.00 for individualor $40.00for family. Pleasemake checks payable to PGCHS Mailcheck s andform to: PrinceGeorge's County HistoricalSociety PO Box 14. Riverdale.MD 20738-00l4 PrinceGeorge's County lrl n (\ c Z C 1 "1 HistoricaLSociety News andNotes XXXI Number 2 OUR50th YEAR MARCH-APRIL 2OO2 A VERY MOVING STORY: BuenaVista finds a NewHome The PrinceGeorge's County Historic PreservationCommission (HPC) hasfor manyyears been attempting to find a preservationsolution for Buena Vista, a handsomeGreek Revival style farmhousein the Glenn Dale area. Buena Vista was built for William T. Duvall circa 1856 at the time of his marriage. It is a two-and-one-half-storyframe housewith fine Greek Revival style decorativedetails, a later Victorian wraparound porch, and a 1929 kitchen *ing. William Duvall operateda small store on the property (the store building was demolishedcirca l97A),,and also servedas postmasterfor the area. The Duvall family occupied the house until the end of the nineteenthcentury, when the property was purchasedby Daniel B. Lloyd, official recorder for the U.S. Senate. Lloyd improved and enlargedthe property, created inscribedmarker stonesto identify his "Buena Vista" property, and n 1929 built an adjoining kitchen *hg; the Lloyd family retainedthe BuenaVista property until the 1960s. The Buena Vista property was slatedfor commercialdevelopment, and within the last two yearsa small shoppingcenter (Duvall Village) was constructed. Many of the large and ancienttrees were removed,the long-time tenantsmoved out of the house,and the old entry lane gave way to paved parking areas. HPC staffworked with a sequenceof owner/developersof the shopping center, the latest of which fully cooperatedby repairing and stabilizingthe house. Until a little more than a year ago, however, neither the developersnor the HPC had found a long-term use for the houseitse[ which stood at one end of the shoppingcenter, securedbut empty. Then Henry and Nora Wixon ciune into the north from the site acrossMaryland Route picture. Living in nearbyGlenn Dale and 450, throughthe groundsof the old Glenn having long admired the house, they made a Dale l{ospital, then east,south and east proposalto the developersof the shopping againthrough the U.S. Departmentof centerproperty: that the developersshould AgriculturePlant Introduction Station to the give the houseto the Wixons, who would Wixons' adjoiningfarm. And the move was then make arrangementsto move it to their set to begin at a minute after midnight on the 26-acre farm almost exactly a mile away morning of Wednesday,February 20. from its original site. In the spring of 2001, the HPC reviewedthe proposal,and A group of interestedand excitedobservers approved the work permit to move the house had gatheredby I I :45 on Tuesdaynight, from its original site. Two months later, the includingphotographers and reporters,,and HPC reviewedand approvedthe designby about l4 trucks loadedwith all of the architectMiche Booz, who had designedfor different equipmentthat would be needed, the Wixons a handsomeand architecturally huge amountsof wood and metal for compatibleaddition to BuenaVista. During building rarnps,trucks with cherrypickers all of this time, and for the remainderof from the electric,telephone, and cable 2001, the Wixons worked on the countless companiesto move wires, as well as two details for arrangingthe move. There were colorfully blinking police cars to stop traffic frequentand unexpectedobstacles, delays, on eight-laneRoute 450, and to escortthe and postponements,but the Wixons were moving carriers. We watchedthe kitchen patient and persistent,and the move finally wing slowly move offthe site beginningat took placein February2002. 12:15on its flatbedtruck, bumpinggently into the hanging traffic light, backing up, The Wixons contracted with Expert House straighteningout and then doing it right. Movers, who had moved the Bowie Railroad The wing was carriedthrough the hospital Buildings(Historic Site 7lB-2-9) n 1992 groundsand parkedon the sideof the road and the Overseer'sHouse (Historic Site beforethe turn into the U.S. Departmentof 82A-44) in 1993,and early this year they Agriculture [and. beganto prepare the house for the move. The kitchen wing was separatedfrom the Then at l: 12 a.m.,the mainblock of the original block of the houseand moved onto a housestarted to move onto Maryland Route flatbed truck; the main house, estimatedto 450, and this was lots more tricky. About l0 weigh approximately100 tons, was then workmen (employeesof Expert House moved onto a larger truck. The Wixons then Movers) begunto build a rirmp over the begancarrying large stonesfrom the original grassyhighway median. Then thesemen ran foundation to their farm for eventual use in along under the very slowly moving trailer, constructing the new foundations; at the laying down boardsin front of the 32 wheels, sametime they were authorized by the removing them and laying them down agan Duvall Village developersand by the HPC to as the wheelsslowly moved. It took exactly removeDaniel Lloyd's inscribedmarker one hour for the truck to get over the median stonesto the new location. The route of the of Highway 45A- police carsbrightly housemove had been chosenand permission blinking all the while. to traversepublicly owned land was secured: Then the truck-with-houseproceeded west The rest of the day's work seemedsimple in on 450 to the corner where it had to turn comparison- by 4:00 that afternoon,both right onto Old Glenn Dale Road, to drive parts of the housewere comfortably resting through the hospitaigrounds. Turning this (still on their carriers) on the lower field of cornerwith a 100-tonhouse proved the farm. In the next two days, first the problematical,but it was slowly wing, and then the main house were pulled accomplished.Someone had miscalculated up the hill to their intendedresting places by 8 inchesthe travelingheight of the house, above their newly poured footings. Each and the chimneyswould not fit under the was graduallyjacked up, &ssubstantial telephonecable which had already been wooden cribbing was constructedbeneath raised l0 feet. So one of the utility men allowing the trucks to drive out from under, went up in his cherrypicker, and physically and raisingboth parts of the houseabout l0 hoistedthe heavycable over one chimney feet above the footings. During the next and then the other, to cheersfrom the crowd. weeks, the new foundationswill be built And the housestarted moving slowly up the beneaththenr, creating a full basementand road through the hospitalgrounds. using stonesfrom the original foundationsof the 1856house. Then work will beginon Someof us left at this point to get a few the handsomenew addition. hours of sleep,knowing that the next big hurdle (crossingthe streaminto the U.S.D.A.grounds) could not be reached It is interestingto note that the Wixons' farm before 8 a.m. Sure enough,when we got was once part of the Marietta plantation of there a little after 8 a.m., the kitchen wing U.S. SupremeCourt JusticeGabriel Duvall, was coming slowly down the hill toward the and it directly adjoins the presentZl-acre strearrywith the big house appearingon the grounds of the Marietta House Museum. horizon behindit (amazingsight!!!). William T. Duvall was a distant cousin of the Justice,and so, in a sense,Buena Vista has The kitchen wing passedover the existing returned home. Marietta is owned by M- bridge fairly easily. Getting the big house NCPPC, and it also housesthe headquarters acrosswas another matter, but the moving and library of the Prince George's County companydirector had assuredus that he had Historical Society. At this time of year, it all figured out, and so he had! As the while there is no foliage in the woods houserolled slowly down toward the bridge, betweenMarietta and Buena Visa" each the workmen laid large metal plates over the house is visible from the other. Over the streamjust next to the bridge,creating a next rnonths,the Historical Society will be comical looking jerry-rigged bridge snuggled watching the progressof this exciting project right up to the existing bridge. Then the cab with interest and enthusiasm. of the large truck drove acrossthe existing bridge, while the men working under the trailer adjustedthings so that the carrier- with-the-house-on-it straddledthe abridge abutment,ffid came acrossbeside the cab. Incredibleto watch! John Claggett,the first Episcopalbishop to be consecrated(1792) in the United States. The architecturalimportance of St. Thomas' Church is basednot only on its original form, but also Gothic Revivaldetails from the 1850s,and the bell tower constructed( 1888) in memory of Bishop Claggett,resulting in a very handsomechurch buildingthat tells the full story of its evolution over more than 250 years. St. Thomas' standson a tree-shaded knoll surroundedby a landscapedburial ground; it is one of the most beautifuland picturesquehistoric buildingsin Prince George'sCounty. Dinner will be servedin the parishhall by the EpiscopalChurch Women (ECW), St. Thomas' Chapter,and will be tbllowed by our traditionalpresentation of St. George's Day awardsand a presentationby the Prince George'sCounty Hall of Fame. Tours of the church will be led by St. Thomas' Parish historianF'ranklin A. Robinson.Jr. St. George'sDay at St. Thomas' From the Editor's Desk Church As usual, we are indebted to Historian Sasan G. Pearl for the precedingarticles. I Motion and moving make up the theme for really feel like I shouldhave gotten up in the this issueof ,A/ewssnd Notes, and the middle of the night and driven to Glenn Dale Historical Societywill be moving south for to seethis historic building transit Route the celebrationof this year'sSt. George's 450. Also, as usual,she has produced Day. From the northernedge of the County articles of a thematic nature with enthusiasm. in 2000 {Laurel) and 2001 (Bowie), we will Shehas many wonderful photographsof the travel south to Croom to celebrateSt. move which will be availableat the Society George'sDay this year. Library and we encouragemembers to view them there sinceit is impossibleto produce St. Thomas' is a cruciform brick structure, them all in this newsletter. We appreciate constructedbetween 1742 and 1745as a Susan's historicalbackground on St. missionchapel of St. Paul's at Baden,using Thomas' Church and look forward to seeing a plan nearlyidentical to that of St. Paul's you all during the St. George'sDay (built only a decadeearlier). St. Thomas' celebrations. The invitations are in the mail. Church has particular significancebecause of its close associationwith its Rector Thomas Sharon Howe Sweeting, Editor Prince George'sCounty Historical Society HeritageCalendar April 2002 Z- ,'ArcheologicalFindings at the RiversdaleDependency" Don Creveling RiversdaleHouse Museum 7'.30 301-864-0420 $$ 6- TavernNight MontpelierMansion 7'.003 0l -953-137 6 $$ 6- ColonialTavern Dinner Darnall'schance House Museum 301-952-8010$$ 7- CandlelightConcert JamesGholson, clarinet St BarnabasChurch 4:00 301-249-9671 9- "1933Chicago World's Fair Contest on Quilts" BelairMansion 7'.30 301-809-3089 $$ I 3& I 4-MarchingThrough Tinre-History Encampment MariettaHouse Museum I I -5 301-464-5291$$ l6- "MedicalPractices in the EarlyNineteenth Century" Barbara Glover RiversdaleHouse Museum 7'.303 0l -864-0420 $$ 17- "FashionablyIndependent-styles of the FederalPeriod" Mary Doering Montpeli:rMansion 7'30 301-953-1376 free 20- Flandson History DaY His Lordship'sKindness TBA 301-856-0358$$ 21- St George'sDaY Dinner PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society 2'.A0 202-575-1424$$ 27- Herb,Bread &TeaFestival MontpelierMansion l0-4 30l -953-137 6 free 28- l Sth CenturyArchitectural Tour BillingsleyHouse Museum l2-4 301-627-0730 30- "ScientificFindings from an African SlaveBurial Ground" Mark Mack RiversdaleHouse Museum 7'.30 301-864-0420$$ Prince George's County Historical Society Annufll Preservation Conference &R[\i Il'\L_t/,\l l( )\]n Annuel Mcmbership Applicrtion Detc: Name. 2002 Address: I\{aryland'sAnnual Preservation& RevitalizirtionConfcrencc City. State.zrP. will beheld in theI{istoric Mount Vernon Clultural Disrrict I\{ay'3 and 4,2002 Telephone Home: Pre-registrotiondeadline: April 19,2002 Business: ConferenceProgram Registrationlnforlnation I\{ap & Directions Pleaseindicate _New _Renewel Additional Information IlegistrationForm (PDF) RegistrationForm (H'INIL) Check below the cetegory you sclect: Ii.egistrationinfornration rvill be mailcd in c:arlyMarclr. For informationabout sponsorships, cxhibit opportuniticsand gcrrcral confcrcncc infonnation, Dleasccontacl. Kath lccrrKrcLrl. f'on fcrcncc Duescategories: Coordinator,at 410 685-'2886cxt i0l Membcr/Family...... S25.0O SustainingMember...... $50.00 InstitutionalMembcr...... $50.00 LrfeMembcrship ...... $300.00 Wanted AdditionrlContribution CountyHigh Schoolmemorabilia-year books, programs,literary magazines. Call Sarah am also interestedin helping the Societyas a _l 30I-277-5468to arrangepick-up or deliver voluntecr. Please contact me regarding volunteer to Marietta opportunities. For mcmbershipin thc Merylend Historicrl Localorganization -wonlelt's Society, include an additional $30.m for memorabilia rndrvidual,or $40.00for family. clubs,service clubs, scout troops, civic organrzations,Call Sarah 301-217-5468 Our opcrrtrng support comcl from your ducs utd contnbuuonr All contnbutrons quelify for tex deductron.Wc eppreclrtc your suPPorl Typists and Filers for Library Death NoticeFiles. Work at homeor at the Pleasemake checks payable to PGCHS FrederickS. DeMarr Library. to: Mail checksand form Call Sharon 301-927 -45t4 PrinceCeorge's County Histoncal Society Post Office Box l4 Rrverdale.Maryland 207l8-0O I 4 l0l -464-0590 PRINCE GEORGE'SCOUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PTIBLICATIONS Prince George'sCounty: A Pictoriul History by AlanVirta Revised1998 LJpdated Edition. Hardcover30S pages. Price $42.95 S&H $3.00x The historyand essence of PrinceGeorge's County come alive in wordsand pictures in thisbeautiful collector's edition. Writtenin a lascinatingnarrative with morethan 350 photographs, maps and illustrations, many in full colorand previouslyunpubl ished. Culvert of Maryland Reprintof JamesOtis Kaler's l9l0 publication.Hardcover 166 pages, pen and ink illustrations.Price $6.95 Thisfhct-based novel shows the home lil'e of thecolonists from a child'sviewpoint. This story is told in the first personby youngGeorge Calvert, godson of the first Lord Baltimore,George Calvert. Atlas of fifteen Miles oround LVushingtonincluding the County of Prince GeorgeMaryland Reprint1915. Softcover 47 pages.Price $ I 0.00 Cornpiled.Drawn & Publishedfrom ActualSurveys by G.M. Ilopkins1878 including "historical" sketches. Indexed. Atlss of Prince George'sCourrty, Maryland I86l Reprint1996. Softcover 32 pages.Price S10.00 Atlaswas adapted fiorl Martenet'sMap of PrinceGeorge's County Maryland, with infonnationfrom 1860 f'ederalcensus for eachElection District. Indexed. Prince George'sCounty, Maryland Indexesof Church Registers1686-1885 Volume I Protestctnt Epi.scopal Church, King George's Parish & Qtteen Anne's Parish by Helen W. Brown Reprint2000 Softcover200 pages. Price$18.00 Prince George'sCounty, Marylond Indexesof Church Registers1686-1885 Volumc 2 Proteslunl Epi.scopal Churclt, Sl. Paul's Pari.sh and Prince ()ertrge's Parish by Helen W. Brown Reprint 2000 Soficover 196pages. Price$18.00 Out of tlre Post - Prince Georgeansund their Land by R. LeeVan Horn Reprint1996 Hardcover422 pages. Price$20.00 Chrorricleof everydaylif-e in PrinceGeorge's County, Maryland from thetime of itsfounding in 1696until the beginningof the Civil War frorn inforrnationgleaned from publicrecords, newspapers and private papers. Tricentennial Cook Book Compiled& Editedby DorothyRainwater & TricentennialCelebration Committee Printed1996. Softcover, spiral bound 150 pages. Price $10.00 Containsrecipes collected from countyresidents as part of thetricentennial celebration. Journey Through Time - A Pictorial History of tlte Prince GeorgetsCounty Police Department by Lt. DenrrisCarrrpbell Printed 1991. Ilardcover 304 pages. Price $40.00 S&H $3,00* A historyof thecounty police department coving over 200 years. Indexed. Shipping& Handling: * P.G. Pictorial History, *Journey Through Time & * Landmarks of Prince GeorgetsCounty Shipping& Handlingis $3.00each for thesebooks. They areshipped separate. ALL OTHER BOOKS - S & H $2.50EACH AND sOpFOR EACH ADDITIONAL BOOK. InternatiorralOrders Please add $ 10.00 to thecost of shippingand handling. Sendorders to: Prince George'sCounty Historical Society Make checkspayable to: PublicationSales Prince George'sCounty Historical Society P.O.Box 14 Maryland residentsplease add 57o salestax Riverdale,MD 20738-0014 PRINCE GEORGE'S Non-ProfitOrg. COUNTY HISTORICAL U.S.Postage Paid SOCIETY Riverdale,MD PermitNo. 1948 Post Office Box l4 Riverdale,Maryland 20738-00 l4 PETRO MR & MRS JOHNJ PO'rrrrircn BOX 1668 Erlv ILLE MD 207 17 1,n1,,,,,,,,:,,,.'.,,,::;'iiit,;,i,',11,n1rrtr.1,,;,',ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION President JohnPetro Vice President JimWolfe Secretary i{i:*!itNAME: DustyRhodes ADDRESS: Treasurer JoyceUber CITY.STATE, ZIP: Historian SusanPearl TELEPHONEHome Busi ness Editor PLEASEINDICATE: NEW RENEWAL SharonH. Sweeting Membership DUESCATEGORY (PLEASE CHECK ONE) DonnaSchneider MEMBER/FAMILY $25.00SUSTAINING MEMBER $50.00 Directors BillUber INSTITUTIONALMEMBER $5O.OOLIFE MEMBER $300.00 EugeneRoberts ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION MildredGray lrisMcConnell I am also interested in helping the Society as a volunteer. AnnaHolmes LynnRoberts Pleasecontact me regardingvolunteer opportunities. ri1i Andy Wallace i:ri For membershipin the Maryland Historical Society, includean JohnMitchell SarahBourne additional$30.00 for individualor $40.00for family. DianeStultz Pleasemake checks payable to PGCHS JoyceDowling WallisCain andform to: PrinceGeorge's County HistoricalSociety Mailchecks Bob Crowley PO Box Riverdale,MD 20738-00l 4 PhyllisHerndon Our operatingsupport comes from your duesand contributions. All contributionsqualify fo. tax deduction.We appreciateyour suPPort! PrinceGeorge's Counfy HistoricalSociety News andNotes \ *. I HABS AT ST. GBORGE'SDAY Our celebrationof St. George's Day this year was unusualin that we were able to present St. George's awards not only to Jack E. Boucher, the current principal architecturalphotographer for the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), but also to John O. Brostrup, one of his earliestand most important predecessors.When we in the Historical Society informed thesetwo photographersof their selectionfor awards, and when to our great delight, John Brostrup indicatedthat he would try to attend, a wonderful progressionof eventsbegan to unfold. HABS staffwas of course eagerto meet and talk to Mr. Brostrup, ffid the HABS ofEce lent its support to ensureMr. Brostrup's attendance.The days around our St. George's Day observancesproved to be an exciting and unique adventure! The Historic AmericanBuildings As HABS staffmembersbegan to Survey(HABS) is the oldest federal assembleall of this infonnationin preservationprogram in existence.Its preparationfor their 70tranniversary extensivearchives of historic structuresis celebrationin 2003,they foundthat scarcely regardedamong the nation'spremier anyrecord survives of the day-to-day architecturalcollections. HABS wascreated responsibilitiesof the earliestHABS teams- in the late fall of 1933as a make-work so of course,the currentHABS staffcould programfor unemployedarchitects. hardly wait to meetand talk to John Accordingto its author,National Park Brostrup, who photographednearly all of the Servicearchitect Charles Peterson" the 97 sitesthat wererecorded in Prince selectionof stnrcturesto be recordedwas to George'sCounty in the 1930s.The representa completeresum6 HistoricalSociety and the ParksDepartment of the builder'sart, from the smallest of M-NCPPCtogether arranged to recorda utilitarian structureto the largestand most conversationwith Mr. Brostrupthe day after monumental. our St. George'sDay celebration.The interviewwas conducted by JackBoucher, While the initial HABS experiment CatherineLavoie and Martin Perschler(all of lastedfor only four months,the enthusiasm HABS) in the parlor at Marietta;it covereda for the programwas overwhelming.A wide rangeof questions,and lively numberof statessought their own WPA reminiscencesof Mr. Brostrup'swork here fundsto continuethe work, ild through morethan 65 yearsago (not to mention their effortsothe programwas kept alive. dramaticintemrptions by an accidentally HABS survivedlargely due to the dedication tnpped securityalarm and the subsequent of its eartyparticipants and the foresightof stormingin of the ParkPolice . . . ) its all-inclusiveoriginal proposal. In 1934, the NationalPark Seruicejoined with the JohnO. Brostrupcame to Library of Congressand the American Washington"D.C., from Onxatr4Nebraska, InstituteofArchitects asco-sponsors of the duringChristmas week of 1935. He had program- HABS continuestoday and next previouslyhad severalyears ofphotographic yetr will celebrateits 706 anniversary. work experiencein Omaha,ild whenhe saw a short article in the WashingtonEvening The early programmobilized Stardescribing the beginningsof the Historic approximately1000 professionals in a very AmericanBuildings Survey, he went to the shorttime. Work was coordinatedby the Surveyheadquarters, and was hired almost centraloffice in WashingtoruD.C., through immediately.He worked asphotographer district ofrces that hired stafi assigned for HABS from March 1936until the endof fieldwork, and assembledlocal advisorsto 1937. His work in PrinceGeorge's County assistin selectingsites. In its nearly70 years wasdone with the assistanceof Forrest of work, HABS hasrecorded 28,265 historic Bowie of Mount Lubentia who rnadethe structures,and has produced 151,324 large- contactswith propertyowners and arranged formatphotographs, 49,250 sheets of the field schedule.Mr. Brostrup spoke measrneddrawings, and 90,695pages of fondly of his rnernoriesof ForrestBowie, written tristories. their planningrneetings at Mount Lubentia and their drives through the countrysideto the many historic placesthat they recorded. During the interview he was also able to give some information about the personneland working €urangementsin the Washington, D.C., offrcesof HABS. One of the highlightsof Mr. Brostrup's visit this April was an afternoon at Mount Lubentia, which he rememberedso fondly as the home of his friend and colleague,Forrest Bowie, and which was the sceneof their many planning meetings. Andy and Sondra Wallace, who have in the last five years made Mount Lubentia a FromMt. Lubentia,Andy showplaceagain, welcomed \{r. Brostrup and his family to Mount Lubentia, and Wallacewrites: showedhim through the house. Mr. Brostrup was particularly happy to seeagain SaintGeorges Day weekend- furthernotes the beautiful "beaux faits" (china cupboards) in the dining roonL which he had WhenJohn O. Brostrupvisited Mount photographedin 1936. He arranged(with Lubentiaon April 20, it broughtback a flood the help of Jack Boucher) to have his of memoriesto the pioneerHABS photographof one of thesecupboards photographer.He hadmentioned to Susan framed and signedas his gift to the Historical Pearlover the phonethat ForrestBowie had Society, ( seephotograph) and formally beenhis guidein photographingPrince presentedit at the St. George'sDay dinner George'sCounty, ild that theyhad started at St. Thomas' Church. We at the Historical offeach day from Mount Lubentia"but how Society will treasurethis wonderful memento had he encounteredForrest Bowie in the first of our connection with the excellent Historic place?Sitting on the backporch on American Buildings Survey collection, and of Saturdayafternoon, Mr. Brostrupfilled in a very specialSt. George's Duy, 20021 someof the gapsin this intriguingstory. As it happened,Forrest Bowie had Submittedby Historian Susan G. Pearl, alsogotten a job with the HABS Washington May 2002 (with thanks to CatherineLavoie regionaloffice aroundthe sametime that for inforrnation on HABS history) Brostup andhis mothercame to town from Nebraska.Brostrup andBowie werethe sameage, in their earlytwenties, and, in the midstof the depressio&in needof work. Both had skills that qualifiedthem to work for HABS. ForrestBowie had training as an becamea partnerin this project, alongwith architecturaldraftsman and was intimately the Park Serviceand Library. Recently,a familiarwith the architecturallandscape of third component,the Historic American PrinceGeorgeos County. As Brostrup tells LandscapeSurvey (HALS), hasbeen added it, he met Forest Bowie in the HABS office to the progftlrrl While administrative shortlyafter startingwork. They quickly responsibilityfor the programshas always becamefriends and were assignedby Delos restedwith the National Park Service,part of H. Smith,the HABS District Director, to the Departmentof the Interior,the collection work in the county. The choicewas is housedat the Library of Congress,in the fortuitous and the result was one of the most Prints and PhotographsDivision, in the thoroug[ andwide-ranging, county surveys JamesMadison Building, whereit can be of any in the country at that time. JohnO. usedby the public. The full catalogueis also Brostrup also did HABS photographyin availableon-line on the Library of Congress MontgomeryCounty, Maryland,ffid Prince web site:www. loc. ggv/FIAB S/FIAER. William County,Virginia. ForrestBowie did Simplyclick on AmericanMemory on the detailedarchitectural drawings of Mount home pageand then the collectionfinder. Lubentiain 1936,ood, one supposes,other HABS is undereer$t and Architecture." You sitesin the county. For somereason the canthen searchby geographiclocation, Motrnt Lubentiadrawings, drafted for subjector keyword. You cansee all of Mr. HABS, nevermad€ it into the HABS Brostrup'sphotos as well asthose of fellow record,but were passeddown in the family. awardeeand current HABS photographer WhenHABS historianCatherine Lavoie JackBoucher. found out that they still existed,she was excitedabout the possibilityof finally adding themto the collectioq almostseventy years MORE HABS! after they were done. Whilewe're on the subjectof HABS, we A note on HABS want to let our readersknow that we have availablefor salecopies of Landmarksof HABS is the only project begunas a WPA Prince George'sCounty. This beautiful, programto surviveto the present,truly the coffee-table-tpebook, published in 1993by last remnantofthe New Deal public works JohnsHopkins UniversityPress, brings politicallegacy. It's alsoone ofthe earliest together125 photographs by JackE. examplesof cooperationbetween multiple Boucher,chief photographerfor the Historic governmentagencies and the private sector. AmericanBuildings Survey, and the Although devisedas an employment descriptionsand histories of 51 special prograrn,since the end of World War II historicplaces in PrinceGeorge's County. HABS hasemployed summer teams of Copiesof Landmqrksare now availableat a advancedundergraduate and graduate reducedprice of $18. You canorder copies architectrnalstudents to carry out most of by rnail from the Historical Society,with an the documentation.In 1969the Historic additional$3.00 for shipprrg(see order AmericanEngineering Record (HAER) was fornUpage of this newsletter),or you can addedas a secondprogram to docurnentour pwctrasecopies on your next visit to the vanishingindustrial and engineeringheritage. newly enlargedand reopened Marietta Gift The AmericanSociety of Civil Engineers Shop! PRESENTATION OF ST. GEORGE'S DAY AWARDS TO JOHN O. BROSTRT]PAI\[D JACK B. BOUCIIER sT. THOMAS'CHURCH, CROOM, APRIL 2t,2002 Someof you know that muchofmy 97 historic placesin PrinceGeorge's were time is devotedto researchingthe land and recordqd.Since one third of those97 buildingsof PrinceGeorge's County. In this buildingsare now gone,these images are work I havemade much use of the Historic often our only sourceof informationabout AmericanBuildings Survey, that federal ttrern The narne"John O. Brostrup, governmentprogram instituted during the photographer"is attachedto almostall of the GreatDepressiorU that put unemployed 1936and 1937 HABS photosof Prince architects,historians and photographers to George'sCounty, ood that namehad come work recordingthe country'sarchitectural to exemphfyfor me the early HABS treasuresduring the difficult 1930s.The collection. But it ncver occurredto nrethat Historic AmericanBuildings Survey (we I would havethe opportunityto talk to John know it asH A B S or HABS) continues Brostrup abouthis work. However,quite today,part of the NationalPark Service,and serendipitouslylas year,w€ rnadecontact, becauseof it we havea wealth of and throughconversations and reminiscences photographsof PrinceGeorge's County we havelearned much about his work of structwes. The HistoricalSociety takes rnorethan 65 yearsaglo, when, guided by greatpleasure in recognizingtwo historianForrest Bowie of Mount Lubentia photographers(John O. Brostrup andJack he traveledour county ftrding and E. Boucher)who, throughtheir individual documentlngon film so nuny of the count5r's work for HABS, from the 1930sto today, architecttraltreasures. havecontributed immensely to the herit4ge of PrinceGeorge's County. (I hopethat you The Historical Societythought it will spendsome time looking at our display highly appropriateto recogni?s, with qpecial of someof their photographs.) St. George'sDay Awards,these two photographersofyesterday and today, who I've hadthe pleasureof working with haverecorded the landnnrksof Prince the p.resentprincipal architectural George'sCounty for our greatbenefit today photographerfor HABS, JackBoucher - it's and for posterity,We could hardlydare hope his photosthat so wonderfullyillustrate our that IvIr. Brostrup would be ableto be beautifulLandmarks of Prince George's presentfor tlre occasioqbut we wetrelucky - Countybook. It is an educationto work his son hasdriven him herefrom their home with Jack,and lots of frur as well" asthose of in upstateNew York, so we havebgth Mr. you know who attendedthe illustrative Brostrup andMr. Boucherwith us today. programthat he presentedfor the Society For their very importantcontributions to the last fall. Jackhas recorded more than 900 recordingof PrinceGeorge's County's imagesof 62 historicplaces in our county; heritage,I am delightedto presentthis St. you are familiar with manyof thern,and we George'sDay awardto JohnBrostrup and are very fortunateto havethem. JackBoucher. But I havealso made much use of the SusanG. Pearl ear{iestHABS photosfrom the 1930s,when St. George'sDay, 2002 Carolyn C. Rowe, for her work and with the ST. GEORGE'S DAY AWARDS.2OO2 PrinceGeorge's County chapterof the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Pat Williams for years of work and leadership Society,her successfulorgantzation of the with Prince George's Heritage, particularly Society'sannual conference, and her work with during the developmentof the Anacostia Trails the Rosenwaldcommemorative project of the Heritage Areq and for her preservationwork in PrinceGeorge's Historical and Cultural Trust. the Mount Rainier Historic District. Barbara Sikora, for her continuedand Sally Bucklee, for researchand publication of enthusiasticwork on the cultural aspectsof the book on St. Philip's EpiscopalChurch in PrinceGeorges County history, in particular Laurel. regardingthe County's Catholic heritage,above and beyondher work at Darnall's Chance. Reverend Jenome Fowler, for gracious and enthusiasticparticipation at eventswhich Gene and Lynn Roberts, for yearsof steady touched the history of the Plummer family and enthusiasticsupport, as well as constant through slavery into freedonUand his active and generousofferings of professional presentationof the family's role in the history of assistance,to the Historical Society,both Riversdale. individuallyand together. Ann Ferguson, for her leadershipover three John O. Brostrup and Jack E. Boucher, decadesin the establishmentand active work of HAB S photographers extr aor dinaire s, for their the RiversdaleHistorical Society, and her invaluablecreation and preservationof the constantparticipation in the restoration and imagesof PrinceGeorge's County's historic interpretation of the RiversdaleMansion. architecture. CELEBRATE AT MOUNT AIRY! The Maryland Historical Society,the RosaryvilleConservancy, the Aman Trust, and Senator Mike Miller cordially invite you to Maryland's birthdayparty at Mount Airy Plantation.The eventmarks the proclamation from Governor Parris Glendeningestablishing June 20 as Maryland CharterDay. The original Charterwas issuedby King CharlesI of England on June 20,1632, and this eventwill be celebratedboth in Englandand in PrinceGeorge's County. In Englandthe celebrationwill take place at Kiplin Hall in North Yorkshire, birthplace of Maryland and ancestralhome of the Lords Baltimore; Kiplin Hall was built by GeorgeCalvert, first Lord Baltimore,in 1623. In Maryland,the celebrationwill takeplace at Mount Airy, the home of Lord Baltimore's descendants,built in the eighteenthcentury. The celebrationis supportedby PineappleAlley Catering,the PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society,Prince George's Heritage, the Prince George'sCounty Historical & Cultural Trust, and the GraduateProgram in Historic Preservation at the University of Maryland, College Park. The CharterDay country housegarden party at Mount Airy is opento the public; a $10 donationis suggested.It will be held on the Sunday afterthe official CharterDay, on June 23r200} from 3:00 to 5:00 P.H. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Prince George'sCounty: A Pictorial History by Alan Virta Revised1998 Updated Edition. Hardcover308 pages. Price 54295 SHIPPING$3.00* The historyand essence of PrinceGeorge's County come alive in wordsand pictures in this beautifulcollector's edition. Writtenin a fascinatingnarrative with morethan 350 photographs,maps and illustrations,many in full colorand previouslyunpublished. Calvert of Maryland Reprintof JamesOtis Kaler's l9l0 publication.Hardcover 166 pages, pen and ink illustrations.Price S6.95 This fact-basednovel showsthe hornelife of the colonistsfrom a child'sviewpoint. This storyis told in the first personbyyoung GeorgeCalvert, godson of the first Lord Baltimore,George Calvert. Atlas of fifteen Miles around Washington including the County of Prince GeorgeMaryland Reprint1975. Softcover 47 pages.Price $10.00 Compiled,Drawn & Publishedfrom Actual Surveysby G.M. Hopkins1878 including "historical" sketches. Indexed. Atlas of Prince George'sCounty, Maryland 1861 Reprint1996. Softcover 32pages. Price $10.00 Atlasrvas adapted from Martenet'sMap of PrinceGeorge's County Maryland, with informationfrom 1860 federalcensus for eachElection District. Indexed. Prince George'sCounty, Maryland Indexesof Church Registers1686-1885 Volume I ProtestantEpiscopal Church, King George'sParish & QueenAnne's Parish by HelenW. Brown Reprint2000 Softcover200 pages. PriceS 18.00 Prince George'sCounty, Marylund Indexesof Church Registers1686-1885 Volume2 Protestant Episcopal Church, St.Paul's Parish and Prince George'sParish by HelenW. Brown Reprint2000 Softcover196 pages. Price $18.00 Out of the Psst - Prince Georgeansond their Land by R. Lee Van Horn Reprint 1996 Hardcover422 pages. Price$20.00 Chronicleof everydaylife in PrinceGeorge's County, Maryland from thetime of its foundingin 1696until the beginningof the Civil War from infbnnationgleaned from publicrecords, newspapers and private papers. Tricentennisl Cook Book Compiled& Editedby DorothyRainwater & TricentennialCelebration Committee Printed1996. Softcover,spiral bound 150pages. Price $10.00 Containsrecipes collected from countyresidents as part of the tricentennialcelebration. Journey Through Time -A Pictorial History of the Prince GeorgetsCounty Police Department by Lt. DennisCampbell Printed1991. Hardcover304 pages.Price $40.00 SHIPPING$3.00* A historyof the countypolice department coving over 200 years.Indexed. Lsndmorks of Prince George'sCounty 125black and white photographsof the rich architecturallegacy of PrinceGeorge's County by JackE. Boucher. Arrangedchronologically, the photographsand captionsoffer a panoramicoverview of the County'sarchitectural and historicaldevelopment. lndexed. Hardcover 144 pages. Price $18.00 SHIPPING$3.00* Shipping: * P.G, Pictorial Hisro,!, *.toaney Thtough Tine & 'Lqndnarks of Prince George'sCot rt, Shipping$3.00 each. Shippedscparate. ALL OTHERBOOKS - Shipping$2.50 EACH AND 501FOR EACH ADDITIONAL BOOK. IntemationalOrders Please add $10.00 to th€ costofshipping. Sendorders to: Prince George'sCounty HistoricalSociety Makechocks payable to: Publicrtioo Sdcs PrinceGeorge's County Historicrl Society P.O.Box 14 Maryland residentsplease add 57osalcs trx Riverdrle. MD 20738-0014 Ft-5-2002 PRINCE GEORGE'S Non-Profit Org. COUNTY HISTORICAL U.S.Postage Paid SOCIETY Riverdale,MD PermitNo. 1948 Post Office Box 14 Riverdale,Maryland 20738-00| 4 AN N UAL MEMBERSHI P APPLICATION President Petro DATE John Vice President JimWolfe Secretary NAME: Dusty Rhodes ADDRESS: Treasurer JoyceUber CITY.STATE, ZIP: Historian SusanPearl TELEPHONEHome Business Editor PLEASEINDICATE: NEW RENEWAL SharonH. Sweeting Membership DUESCATEGORY (PLEASE CHECK ONE) DonnaSchneider MEMBERJFAMILY $25.00SUSTAINING MEMBER $5O.OO Directors BillUber TNSTTTUTTONALMEMBER $50,00L|FE MEMBER _ $300.00 EugeneRoberts ADDITIONALCONTRI BUTION MildredGray lris McConnell I am alsointerested in helpingthe Societyas a volunteer. AnnaHolmes Pleasecontact me regardingvolunteer opportunities. LynnRoberts Andy Wallace For membershipin the Maryland Historical Society, includean JohnMitchell SarahBourne additional$30.00 for individualor $40.00for family. DianeStultz Pleasemake checks payable to PGCHS JoyceDowling WallisCain Mail checksand form to: PrinceGeorge's County HistoricalSociety Bob Crowley PO Box 14, Riverdale,MD 20738-0014 PhyllisHerndon Our operatingsupport comes from your duesand contributions. All contributionsqualify for tax deduction. We appreciateyour support! PrinceGeorge's Counfy HistoricalSociefy News andNotes Rochambeau There is an old saying in the Stateof Virginia that goeslike this: "Anybody who is anybodyis from Virginia, except maybeUlysses Grant.u A variation of this statementcould apply to the town of Bladensburg:"Anybody who was anybody during the founding of our nation passedthrough Bladensburg,Maryland," which leadsto the visit of GeneralJean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, the Comte de Cmrte tle Rmlurrnbau by G. de Saint+Auhi+ Muse Bouat hyutrne, Rochambeau,in 1781and 1782. Franrrl. The RevolutionaryWar was not going very well. GeneralWashington was in New York with his army keepingthe British underGeneral Clinton in check. It was 1780,Washington was expectingour new French allies to arrive, ffid togetherthey would attackClinton who was holding New York City. GeneralRochambeau arrived at NarragansettBuy, Rhode Island,July 11, 1780,with 32,000people rn32 cargoships protected by ll warships.Rochambeau met with Washingtonand it was decidedthat they would decoy the British in New York by making Clinton believethat the armieshad not moved. Rochambeauwith his 5,000troops and Washington's4,000 troops would march600 miles throughRhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut,New York, New Jersey,Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia in the springof 1781 to engageGeneral Cornwallis whoseBritish army was encampedon the Yorktown peninsulain Virginia. Over the yearsthere have been severalattempts to mark the Rochambeauroute from New Englandto Virginia, with historic signs and parks.The first attemptwas made in 1925. There havebeen at leastfive otherattempts since then. In 1958,during one of theseattempts, the 14'h StreetBridge in Washington,D.C., was renamedthe RochambeauMemorial Bridge eventhough Rochambeaucrossed the Potomacat Georgetown. Now there is anotherattempt called the ll/ash in gt on-Ro ch amb e a u Revo I uti on ary Route, National Heritage Act of 2000, Public Law 106-473. The purposeis to The supplycolumn headedwest on identify all the siteswhere the army camped September2l't out of Annapolis toward on its way to Yorktown PrinceGeorge's County on the old and to raiseto a high level the quality of Annapolisroad. Arising at 2 a.m.,they heritagepreservation along the route by marcheduntil noon and then campedin intemrption programsand historic markers orderto avoid the heatof summerdays in at eachcampsite. The armies startedtheir Maryland. They coveredl0 to l5 milesa marchsouth on Monday,June 18, 1781. day. One of the French staff officers When they arrived at Wilmington, directingthe train, Louis-AlexanderBerthier Delaware,General Washington proceeded wrote a journal of the placesthey stopped aheadto his home at Mt. Vernon where he and composedsketches of many of the had not been in six years. The next day places. On the first-day march from Rochambeaualso left and proceededto Mt. AnnapolisSeptember 2l , 1781, they crossed Vernon. One can only speculatethat the the county line and enteredPrince George's route they took was through Baltimore, County. They set up camp at the "Easton Bladensburgand Georgetownby way of the Brothers" Plantation(the Ashton Brothers old colonial road that becamethe national Plantationpriests were locatedat White highway or Route One today (or they could Marsh Churchnear present day Bowie). have gone south from Bladensburgalong the The secondday out of Annapolis,September Addision Chapelroad to Alexandria Ferry in 22, 1781,the columnmoved from Ashton what is now Oxon Hill, Maryland.) Brothersto the Age House(near Bladensburg). We are fortunatehere that The main part of both armiescontinued to Berthier scoutedthe areaaround move souththrough Maryland camping Bladensburg.One of his objectiveswas to overnight at l0 different locations. When identiff camp areasthat they might useon the armies reachedAnnapolis they found their return march north. It must have been that the shipsthey expectedwere not quite an exciting day in Bladensburgas the plentiful enough to carry the whole army to supporttroops, wagons and animalsrolled Williamsburg, Virginia. There was room into the small town, a paradethat was many only for the soldiersand some field pieces. miles long. The Army left Annapolis September 21, l78l , arriving at Williamsburg on The next day September23, the column September 25, I 78I . The supportunits of moved on to Georgetownwhere they the armies,supplies, animals, heavy crossedthe Potomacand moved through equipmentand supportpersonnel would Virginia to Yorktown and their rendezvous have to go over land to Williamsburg. The with history. In July 1782,the FrenchArmy long column, consistingof 220 or more going north cameback to the same area wagons,1,500 horses, 800 oxen with where they had campedgoing south. This support troops and camp followers hired time they went on to Baltimore and did not along the way, would cover the distanceto go to White Marsh or Annapolis. Williamsburg in 17 days arriving in Williamsburg October 7, 1781. Notes:(l) Frenchmap of the campsite control projects,etc., have erasedmany of outsideof Bladensburg.See below. (2) The the landmarks. However, notes from the Rochambeauarmy was not all French. officers of the wagon train/supplycolumn There were severalcompanies of Italian headingsouth in September1781, as well as troops. (3) The definitive book on Louis-AlexandreBerthier's beautiful and Rochambeauin America is "The American informative sketchesfrom the return trip in Campaignsof Rochambeau'sArmy 1780, July 1782,give us someuseful hints. ,See 1781,1782,1783", by AnneS. K .Brown below. and Howard C. Rice Jr., and is locatedat the Hall of Recordsin Annapolis. When the supply troops headedwest from Annapofis, 2l SeptemberI 781,they Writtenby Robert A. Crawley traveled the first day as far as the Ashton Brothers' [the Frenchofficers recordedit as "Easton"Brothers] plantationon the Prince t7.^*C'**?.Efo, t). tt :r{' rt tq George'sside of the PatuxentRiver. This '' t..-4(;/"t a was Whitemarsh,the large plantation ,,.i ),i//,r-- Q,17,^/(on' lc 2q cr.tl.,l"*. operatedby Jesuitpriests and headedby John Ashton. The mid-eighteenth stone n 1j chapelsurvives as part of the old Sacred Heart Chapel(Historic Site 7lA-19), standingon the hill overlooking the modern SacredHeart Church on Maryland Route 450. Before the Declarationof Rights (November 1776),it was not permittedfor the Roman Catholic Church to hold property. The land on which the chapel fj fcuJettlrlrrr"l stood had to be held in the nameof an individual tax-payingpriest - in this case, John Ashton. Afterwards, during the years of the American Revolution, Catholicscould againworship publicly, but the Whitemarsh property was still recordedin the nameof MORT ON ROCHAMBEAU'S Ashton. The extensivefarmland (over 2000 acres)that supportedthe clergy included ARMY dwellings and farm buildings in additionto the chapel,and was cultivatedby a labor Bob Crawley'sinteresting article in this force of 63 slaves. Notes from the officers issueof News and Notes on the Comte de of the supply troops indicatethat at Rochambeau(1725-1807) notes the current Whitemarshthey had found "abundant effort to mark the route of Rochambeau's forageand water within reach." army southto (and north from) Yorktown in 1781and 1782. It is interestingto try to [It was at Whitemarsh,just a few yearslater tracethe movementsof the army through (April 1789),that John Carroll of Upper PrinceGeorge's County, but it is difficult Marlboroughwas electedthe first American becausetime, development,and flood bishop of the Roman Catholic Church,an electionthat was confirmed by the Vatican identify it with someof the homesof the in 1790.1 Hodgesfamily (the name"Hodges" would, by a Frenchman,be pronouncednearly The wagon train left Whitemarshthe next identicallyto the Frenchword "Age"), but morning (22 September),following the most of the Hodges'plantations were Annapolis-Bladensburgroad, roughly the locateda few miles south of the Bladensburg alignmentof today's MD 450. Soonafter road and thereforeseem unlikely. I haven't leaving their camp at Ashton's, the supply given up, however, and when I have time, column passed"quite a fine houseon the I'll try again to searchout everythingI can Ieft." This was very likely Belair, the 1740s about all of the housesthat were standing brick plantation housebuilt for Provincial anlnvherenear Bladensburgin 1781. Governor SamuelOgle (Historic Site #71B- 4, listed in the National Registerof Historic The next morning,z3 September,the wagon Places).In 1781,Belair was the country train left the "Age House,"continuing west seatof the Governor'sson, Benjamin, on the "chemind'Anapolis" through himself soonto be chosenas Governorof Bladensburg,and onto the road to the new Stateof Maryland. During the Georgetown.The column passedthrough 1780s,however, the Oglesspent most of Bladensburgwithout stopping,but their time at their townhousein Annapolis, Berthier'snotes suggest that he did indeed now the Naval Academy alumni club known scoutthe areafor possiblefuture use - asOgle Hall. "headquarterswould be well lodgedon either side of the River . . . there are fine [On this subject,it is interestingto note the campsiteshere, as well as pastureand opinionsof Benjamin Ogle's wife, forage." (This provedto be useful Henrietta. During the springof 1781,six information during the return trip the months before Rochambeau'sarmy arrived following summer.) But in September1781, in Annapolis, Henrietta Ogle the supply column merely passedthrough enthusiasticallyrecorded her delight at the the town of Bladensburgand continued arrival of anothergroup of French officers in toward Georgetown,then crossingthe Annapolis: "I like the Frenchbetter every PotomacRiver to Virginia. Lessthan a hour," shewrote to her Lowndes cousinsat month later,l9 October1781, the British Bostwick in Bladensburg."The divine surrenderedat Yorktown. But that's another Marquisde la Fayetteis in town, and is quite story! the thing. We aboundin French officers, and someof them very clever. But the Nearly eight monthsafter the battleof Marquis - so diffident, so polite, in short Yorktown (in July 1782),Rochambeau's everythingthat is clever!"] army made the return trip through Prince George'sCounty. This time the entirearrny, The night of the 22nd/23rdof September not just the supplycolumn, passed through 1781was spent,according to officers' PrinceGeorge's County. Berthier'ssuperb journal, at the "Age House" near sketchof the army's lTth encampmentnear Bladensburg- this location is still a mystery! Bladensburggives considerabledetail, and it Many have tried to discoverwhat and where is possibleto identify with a fair degreeof the "Age House" might have been,but the accuracythe location of the camp. On the solutionstill eludesus. I havetried to return trip the army was groupedinto four divisions,each division a day behindthe one before,each using the encampmentsite just In any case,Rochambeau's army continued left by the precedingdivision. The first north l3 miles from the Bladensburg division cameeight miles from the previous encampment,the first division reachingthe camp at Georgetown;they arrived in the next (18'n)encampment22 July. The l8th Bladensburgarea l9 July 1782,spent two encampmentwas at Snowden'sIron Works, daysthere, and proceedednorth on the 22nd. north of Montpelier andjust acrossthe The fourth and last division left the PatuxentRiver in Anne Arundel County. Bladensburgencampment, heading north, on Again, Berthier's sketchof the encampment 24 luly. gives somedetails of the arrangements. The first division moved on the next day(23 The encampmentwas actually not in July) nine more miles north to Spurrier's Bladensburgproper, but approximatelya Tavern (which has interestingconnections to mile to the north, on both sidesof the old our Riversdale!),then on to Baltimore, roadwhich would, r,r'ithina generation,be Philadelphia,New York and New England improvedto becomethe Washingtonand over the next severalmonths. Rochambeau BaltimoreTurnpike (we know this section left American shores8 January1783, todayas AlternateU.S. Route 1). Someof returningto Francel0 February1783. the infantry campedon the eastside of the Unlike LaFayette,who returned to the road, north of the NortheastBranch in the United Statesin 1824125(see News and generalvicinity of today's EastHyattsville, Notes XYIII, Numbers 2 and 3, February and now a solidly commercial/industrialarea March 1990),Rochambeau never returned. nearthe presentHyattsville Viaduct. Other His troops,however, both throughmilitary units of artillery and wagonswere camped action and detaileddocumentation, made an on the west side of the road, stretchingsouth important contribution to the new United toward the confluenceof the Northeastand Statesand to Prince George'sCounty. NorthwestBranches of the Anacostia. Still anothersomewhat smaller contingentwas By ,Szsan G. Pearl July2oo2 campedon the southside of the Northwest Branch,along the old road to Georgetown, in an areawhich is today part of North Brentwood. I havenot yet beenable to find recordsof archaeologicalinvestigations in this area, but I am working with staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineerssearching for recordsof their findings during the flood controlproject of the 1950s. It is hardto imagine that therewould be much physical information remaining after the changes brought about by that massiveproject, but I am still hopeful that recordsof the work in 1954may shedsome light on the subject. We will keepyou posted. Mark Your Calendars Take me out to the Ballgame HISTOzuCAL SOCIETY SUMMER PICNIC Prince of a County Reception 2002 Sunday,August 18, 2002 Annual Fundraiseris scheduledfor Picnic: 2:00 to 4:00 at Marietta; Sunday,September 29, 2002,at RAIN OTSHINE Il/averly, Bring your own Picnic Foods; a beautiful1855 Italianate-style Societywill provide drinks and dessert housein the rural areaof Croom. Travel to Baysox Stadiumaround 5:00. More detailsin next issueof Newsand Notes. All Membersand GUESLS Welcome A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY A new schoolyear is aboutto beginwith new leadershipand new enthusiasm.The Societyis offering YOU an opportunity to be a part of this renaissance. When the Board of Educationimplemented the SocialStudies unit aboutthe History of Prince George'sCounty, the Societyoffered several in-service training sessions to preparethe teachers. For a variety of reasonsthis opportunity hasnot beenavailable for severalyears. Many sixth gradeteachers are not from the areaand do not havea backgroundin the rich historical and cultural heritageof our county. We believethat everyteacher should have accessto a copy of A Pictorial History of Prince George'sCounty to enrichtheir awarenessof local history. you can purchasea copy of this valuablebook at a reducedprice of $40.00 includingshipping andwe will arrangefor deliveryto the schoolof your choice. If you do not havea schoolto designatewe will selectone for you. A bookplatewith an appropriateinscription will be placedin each book. This would be an excellentway to memorializea loved one or to recognizea favorite teacher. For additionalinformation or questionscontact Sarah at 30l-277-5468- [email protected] PRINCE GEORGE'SCOUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Londmorl Colven,of Morylond Ihis fact-basednovel shows the home life of the coloniss from a child'sviewpoint. This story is told in the first personby young 3eorge Calvert,godson of the first Lord Baltimore,George Calvert.. {eprint of JamesOtis Kaler'sl9l0 publication.Hardcover 166 pages, pen andink illustrations.Price $6.95 Atlos of fifteen Miles oround Woshington includingthe County of PrinceGeorge Moryland 3ompiled,driwn & Publishedfrom Actual Surveysby G.M. Hopkins 1878including "hist'oricil" sketches. lndexe-il. leprint 1975.Soft cover 47 pages.Price $ 10.00 Atlas of Prince George's County, Motylond I 851 Atlaswas adapredfrom Martenet's Map of Prince George'sCounty Maryland,with information from 1860federal cenius for eachElecrion )ist ict. Indexed. Reprint 1996.Soft cover 32 pages. Price $10.00 PrinceGeorge's County, Morylond lndexesof Church Registers| 586-1885 YolumeI ProtestontEpiscopol Church, King George's Porish & QueenAnne's Porish by HelenW. Brown Reprint 2000 Soft cover 200 pages. Price$ 18.00 PrinceGeorge's County, Monllond lndexesof Church Registerst 686-i,885 t/olume2 ProtestontEpiscopol Church, St Poul'sPorish ond PrinceC'eorge's Porish >yHelen W. Brown Reprint 2000 Softcover 196pages. Price $ | 8.00 Out of the Past- PrinceGeorgeons and their Lond 3hronicleof everydaylife in PrinceGeorge's County, Maryland from the time of its foundingin 1696until the beSinninSof the CivilWar iom informationSleaned from publicrecords, newspapers and private papers. ry R LeeVan Horn ReD.int1996 Hardcoyer422 pales. Price$20.00 fricente nniol Cook Book 3ontainsrecipes collected from county residentsas part of the tricentennialcelebration. Compiled & Editedby Dorothy Rainwater& l-ricentennialCelebration Committee. Printed | 996. Soft cover,spiral bound | 50 pages.Price $ 10.00 lourney Through Time - A Pictoriol History of the Prince George'sCounty Police Deportment { history of the county police department coving over 200 }rears. lndexed. ry Lc DennisCampbell Printed 1991. Hardcover304 pages.Price $40.00 Shipping$3.00* Shipping: * P.G. Piaoriol History, *lourney Through Time & * Londmarl Sendorders to: Prince George's County Historical Society Makechecks payable to: Publication Sales Prince George's County Historical Society P.O. Box ll Maryland residents pleaseadd 5%sales tax Riverdale,MD 20738-00l4 PRINCE GEORGE'S Non-Profit Org. COT'NTY HISTORICAL U.S.Postage Paid SOCIETY Riverdale,MD PermitNo. 1948 Post Office Box 14 Riverdale,Maryland 20738-00 | 4 MR JOHNJ PETRO& MS KATHLEEN LITCHFIELD PO BOX1668 MITCHELLVILLEMD 20717 ANN UAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION President Petro DATE John Vice President JimWolfe Secretary NAME: Dusty Rhodes ADDRESS: Treasurer JoyceUber CITY,STATE, ZIP: Historian SusanPearl TELEPHONEHome Business Editor PLEASEINDICATE: NEW RENEWAL SharonH. Sweeting Membership DUESCATEGORY (PLEASE CHECK ONE) DonnaSchneider MEMBER/FAMILY $25.00SUSTAINING MEMBER $5O.OO Directors BillUber TNSTTTUTTONALMEMBER $50.00LIFE MEMBER _ $300.00 EugeneRoberts ADDITIONALCONTRIBUTION MildredGray lris McConnell I am alsointerested in helpingthe Societyas a volunteer. AnnaHolmes Roberts Pleasecontact me regardingvolunteer opportunities. Lynn Andy Wallace For membershipin the Maryland Historical Society, includean JohnMitchell SarahBourne additional$30.00 for individualor $40.00for family. DianeStultz Pleasemake checkspayable to PGCHS JoyceDowling WallisCain Mail checksand form to: PrinceGeorge's County HistoricalSociety Bob Crawley PO Box 14, Riverdale,MD 20738-00l4 PhyllisHerndon Our operating support comesfrom your duesand contributions. All contributionsqualifr fo tn'o aPPreciateyour suPPort! EI O PrinceGeorge's Counfy z C z & -l HistoricalSociefy News andNotes WAVERLY We arevery fortunatethis year to be ableto celebrateour annualPrince of a County eventat Waverly, a houseand settingthat is truly uniquein PrinceGeorge's County. Waverly is a beautifulItalianate-style frame house located on rolling farmlandbetween Croom andMount Calvert. It was built for the family of JohnW. Burroughs,son of RichardBurroughs of Brookridge,? prosperousplanter of the Croom area.In 1852,John Burroughs married a young woman from MontgomeryCounty' andthree years later purchased2T3 acres of the largetract known asMount CalvertManor. The largeand handsome house that we know asWaverly was built at aboutthis time. (Thereis a long-standing,but unsubstantiated,tradition that the house was actuallybuilt by striking shipbuilCersfrom Baltimore. If anyonehas any documentationfor thistradition, please let me know!!) Waverly exhibitsmany of the finest and overhangingeaves punctuated by detailsof the Italianatestyle of architecture, jigsawn brackets.The wash/woodhouse with its widely overhangingeaves supported and the meaVmealhouse still standin good by bold decorativebrackets. Burroughs' conditionjust to the rear of the dwelling. new houseintroduced a new style to this rural area,and its bold Italianatefeatures and After the Civil War, like many other unusuallylarge size attractedthe noticeof plantersof PrinceGeorge's County, John otherlocal residents.Certainly Waverly Burroughswent into debt, mortgagedhis must haveinfluenced Edward G. W. Hall, property,ffid soondefaulted on payments. who lived in a fine old 18th-centurybrick The propertywas offeredfor salein 1878, houseon the northeastedge of Upper advertisedas "a very handsome, Marlborough.In 1858,within a few years commodiousand well appointedframe of the completionof Waverly,Hall dwellingcontaining 10 or 12 roomsand undertookthe conversionof his spaciouscellars, one double house for Marlboroughhome into the imageof servants,meat house, stable, poultry houses, Burroughs'new house. Hall's house(now carriagehouse and granary,all recently rebuilt to its original 18th-century built." The propertywas purchasedby the configuration,and opento the public as the Franklin Bank of Baltimore and for the next Darnall'sChance house museum) was two decadeswas the home of tenantsand originally a one-and-one-half-storygambrel- severalshort-term owners. After the death roof structure. When its renovationwas of the last of theseshort-term owners, completedin the summerof 1858,it had testimonyfrom local residentsdescribed takenon most of Waverly'sfeatures, albeit Waverly as "too large for the in brick ratherthan wood: its deeply neighborhood."Then in 1899,the 273-acre overhangingeaves with centralcross-gable farm was sold to William H. Duvall, and anddecorative jigsawn brackets, its Waverly becamethe Duvall family home for projectingbay which lighted the formal the next century. parlor,and evenits interior chimneys (a major alterationfrom their original exterior In 1894,in a ceremonyat St. location). Thomas' Church,Croom (wherewe celebratedSt. George'sDay this past Waverly is distinguishedby board- April!), William Henry Duvall had married and-battensiding, unusual in Prince Matilda Wood, who had grown up at George'sCounty in this period.Waverly's Brookewood,the,Wood family farmjust interior also exhibits severalparticularly fine west of the village of Croom. Five years elementsof Victorian Italianatedecor, o.9., later,Duvall purchasedthe "handsome," the pastelmarble mantels, the massiveand "well appointed"(even if "too large" . . .) ornatethree-story staircase, and the molded and its 273-acrefarm. The Duvalls raised plastercornices and ceiling medallions. eight childrenon this beautifulfarm. Their Another attractivefeature about Waverly eldestson, W. H. Duvall, Jr., born a few was the setof outbuildingsthat Burroughs yearsbefore his parentspurchased Waverly, had constructedto servicethe residence. was raisedon the Waverly farm, and spent They are particularly interestingin that they the rest of his life in the Croom area. Much reflectthe style of the houseon a simpler of his life was devotedto collectingantique level - hip roofs,board-and-batten siding, American farm implementsand other memorabiliaof early farm life. Mr. Duvall was one of the earliestrecipients of our Six sixth-gradeteachers from our public HistoricalSociety's ,S/. George's Day schoolsspent a week early in August Awards for his outstandingcollection, and studying the overall history of the County todaythe William Henry Duvall Tool and visiting a variety of historicplaces. I Collectionis one of the treasuresof the M- spentone day traveling with them to various NCPPCmuseum system. African-American historic places,including the NorthamptonArchaeological Park, the Many of the otherdescendants of Ridgely Church and School and Dorsey William Henry and Matilda Wood Duvall Chapel,and was pleasedby their obvious haveremained in the Croom area,and interestand enthusiasm. severalof the eightchildren spent their entirelives at Waverlyall of their lives,into I was remindedduring our travelsof Joe the 1990s.Then rn 7997,the beautiful Citro's role in our introductionto HABS Waverlyhouse and 12 acresof the original photographerJohn Brostrup, who together farm were purchasedby Andrew and Sarah with JackBoucher, was amongthis year's Duley,who will be our hostsat this year's St.George's Day awardees(see News and Prince of a Countyreception. Notes, Vol.XXXI, No. 3, May/June2002). Early lastyear Professor Citro, who often The Duleys havemade some visits family membersin Rochester,New interestingand wonderful improvementsto York, met Mr. Brostrup at his retirement the interior of their house,including the home in that city. Familiar with the creationof a gourmetkitchen in oneof the wonderfulHistoric AmericanBuildings rearparlors, and conversionof the original Survey(HABS) photographcollection, and kitchenwing into a family room. The fine knowing how often I usedand lovedthat decorativedetails, such as the magnificent collection,Joe called and told me aboutMr. staircase,marble mantels, 12-foot sliding Brostrup,whose name to me exemplifiedthe pocketdoors, and ornateplasterwork have earlydays of HABS. ThroughJoe Citro, we beenpreserved intact. Waverlyis once madethe connectionwith Mr. Brostrup,and again"very handsome,commodious and the rest,as they say,is history . . . The well appointed!" We look forwardto a very HistoricalSociety is still savoringthe specialday on September 29, at beautiful excitementof Mr. Brostrup'sSt. George's Waverlv. Day visit this pastApril, and the many things we learnedfrom him aboutHABS in SusanG. Pearl,August 2002 the 1930s. We are still working on editing the photo-recordedinterview which we did with Mr. Brostrup and currentHABS staff. AIso from PGCHS Historian Pearl Thank you again,John Brostrup!And thanks, JoeCitro! Again this summerI had the pleasureof working with history professorJoe Citro (PrinceGeorge's Community College) on the summerinstitute on PrinceGeorge's CountyHistory for County schoolteachers. 50'h Anniversary Dinner Thursday,Ir{ovember 7,'' 2002 Join us in celebrationof the originalmeeting of the foundersof the PrinceGeorge's County Historical Societvin the music room of the CalvertMansion "Riversdale' Here in the room at Riversdalewhere twelve prominentcitizens of PrinceGeorge's County met in1952 to form our Society,you will be servedamenu of traditionalMaryland fare including: Salad--- Crabcake- --Ham---Vegetable---D essert- --Co ffee & Tea 6:00 to 7:00 Socialhour------Dinner served at7:00 Priceof $30.00per person Seatingis limited,so mail your reservationsearly to: SarahBourne 6808Dartmouth Ave. CollegePark, Maryland 20740 Cateredbv Calvert HouseInn Reservationsbv November1.2002 I{OMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ELECTION 2OO3 DIRECTORS I Year . SarahBourne OFFICERS Anna Holmes John Mitchell Lynn Roberts President JohnPetro Andrew Wallace V. Pres. JamesWolfe Secretary Dusty Rhoads 2Year Wallis Cain Treasurer DonnaSchneider Robert Crawley Historian SusanPearl JoyceDowling Editor SharonHowe Sweeting Phyllis Herndon Membership Donna Schneider/Anna Diane Stultz Holmes 3 Year Mildred Ridgely Gray Gift Shop StellaUber Iris McConnell Marietta House SusanWolfe JoyceUber William Uber BUS TKIP WHEN: Satt,r'o';,y, 0ctober 19th Leaving Marietta at 8:45 a. m. returning at 5:45 p.m. WHERE: Frederick County Historica Society Museum, library and Garden. National Museum of Civil War Medic ine Buffet lunch at Richardson's Jonathan Hager House and Museum Washington County Historical Society's Miller House and garden. C0ST : $4 5 . 00 per person ( a1 1 inclus ive ) Space is limited Please register ear1y. NAME(S) Phone: Make check payable to PGCHS and nail to: Bill Uber For information call 2A Southway 301-345-9797 Greenbelt, MD 20770-I732 Welcometo New Members The following individualsbecame members of the Prince George's County HistoricalSociety during the 2001-2002 membershi p period: PatriclaBelser Andrew W. House Dr.and Mrs.Christopher Bever Evelyn Hughes JackBoucher Lois and DonaldJackson JohnO. Brostrup KimberlyE. Johnson Leo Bruso MargaretC. Johnson SallyM. Bucklee Margaret Kastner GraceElaine Catchings LindaKelly Dr.Joseph F. Citro ElizabethH. Lingg Mr.and Mrs. Frank M. Drane Evelyn Love MichaelG. Dressler RichardA. Morris DebiDurgadeen BarbaraM. Murphy Ann Ferguson Nila M. Reynolds DavidP. Fogle Carolyn Roue Rev.L. JeromeFowler Mr. and Mrs. Edward Scott KimberlyHampton-Tuckson Barbara Sikora NinaA. Haramis ElaineTayler NicoleHarmon CarltonWm. M. Teslik Ann-MarieHarris Victoria Thompson NicholasSnouden Hill lV David Turner Virginia BeauchampNamed Outstandin g Crtrzen LongtimeHistorical Society Member Virginia Beauchamphas been named Outstanding Citizenof Greenbeltfor 2002. Virginia, &r authorityand writer on women's issues,currently serves as a reporter for the GreenbeltNews Review and it was in that capacitythat she attended Greenbelt'sannual Labor Day Festival. The story however,focused on her and her extraordinary volunteeractivities which earnedher the OutstandingCitizen award. One of her Historical Societyrelated-activities was a fascinatingprogram on authorsof PrinceGeorge's County, held at the University of Maryland severalyears ago. Shehas been a constantand faithful donorto our library. Congratulations,Virginia. PRINCE GEORGE'SCOUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Londmarksof Prince George'sCounty | 25 blackand white photographsof the rich architecturallegacy of PrinceGeorge's Counry by JackE. Boucher. Arranged :hronologically,the photographsand captionsoffer a panoramicoverview of the County'sarchitectural and historical Cevelopment.Indexed. Hardcover144 pages. Price $18.00 Shipping$3.00t Prince George's County.' A Pictoriol History I-hehistory and elsenceof PrinceGeorge's County come alivein words and picturesin thisbeautiful collector's edition. Writren in a ascinaringnarrative with more than350 photographs,maps and illustrations, many in fullcolor andpreviously unpublished. ry AlanVirta Revisedt998 UpdatedEdition. Hardcover 308 pages.Price $42.95 Shipping$3.00* Colven of Morylond Ihis fact-basednovel shows the home lifeof the colonistsfrom a child'sviewpoint. This story is told in the first personby young 3eorge Calven, godson of the first Lord Baltimore,George Calvert.. \eprint of JamesOtis Kaler'sl9l0 publication.Hardcover 166 pages, pen andink illusrrations.Price $6.95 Atlos of fifteen Miles oround Woshington including the County of Prince George Morylond Compiled,dritn & Publishedfrom AcrualSurveys U! C.m. Hopkinsl8)8 including"hist'oricil" sketches. Indexei. Reprint| 975.Soft cover 47 pages.Price $ 10.00 Atlosof Prince George'sCounty, Marylond 186l Arlaswi! adapted from Manenet's Map of Prince George'sCounty Maryland.wich information ftom 1860federal censui for eachEleclion Diitrict. Indexed. Reprint 1996,Soft cover 32 pa8es. Price $10.00 PrinceGeorge's County, Manllond Indexesof Church Registers| 686-1885 Volume, ProtestontEpiscopol CAurch, King C'eorge's Porish & QueenAnne's Porish by Helen W. Brown Reprint2000 Soft cover 200 pages. Price$ 18.00 PrinceGeorge's County, Monlland Indexesof Church Registers1686-1885 lolume 2 ProtestontEpiscopol Church, St Poul'sPorish and PrinceC*orge's Porish ry Helen W. Brown Reprint200O Softcover 196pages. Price $ 18.00 Out of the Post - PrinceGeorgeons ond their Lond 3hronicle of everyday life in Prince George's County, Marylandfrom the time of is founding in 1696until the beginningof the CivilWar irom information gleanedfrom public records. newsPaPersand private PaPers. >v R. Lee Van Horn Reprint 1996 Hardcover 422 pares. Price $20.00 Tricentenniol Cook Eook Contains recipes collected from counry residens as part of the tricentennial celebration. Compiled & Editedby Dorothy Rainwater& TricentenniatCelebration Committee. Printed 1996. Soft cover.spiral bound 150Pages. Price $10.00 lourney Through Time - A Pictoriol History of the Prince George'sCounty Police Depoftment { history of the county police depanment coving over 200 years. lndexed. ry Lc DennisCampbell Printed 199l. Hardcover304 pages.Price $40.00 Shipping$3.00* Shipping: * P.G. Pictoriol History *loumey ThroughTime & * Londmark of PrinceGeorge's County Shippingis $3.00each for thesebook. Theyare shipped sePararc. ALLOTHER BOOKS - SHIPPING$2.50 EACH AND 5OIFOR EACH ADDITIONAL BOOK. lnternationalOrders Pleaseadd $ 10.00to the costfor overseasshipping. Sendorders to: Prince George's County Historical Society Makecheck payableto: Publication Sales Prince George's County Historical Society P.O. Box | { Maryland residents pleaseadd 5%sales tax Riverdale, MD 20738-0014 PRINCE GEORGE'S Non-Profit Org. COI,'NTY HISTORICAL U.S.Postage Paid SOCIETY Riverdale,MD PermitNo. 1948 Post Office Box l.f Riverdrle, Marylend 20738-00l,{ ANN UAL M EMBERSH I P APPLICATION President JohnPetro DATE Vice President JimWolfe Secretary NAME: DustyRhodes ADDRESS: Treasurer JoyceUber CITY,STATE, ZIP: Historian SusanPearl TELEPHONEHome Business Editor PLEASEINDICATE: NEW RENEWAL SharonH. Sweetrng Membership DUESCATEGORY (PLEASE CHECK ONE) DonnaSchneider MEMBERJFAMILY $25.00SUSTAINING MEMBER Directors BillUber INSTITUTIONALMEMBER $5O.OOLIFE MEMBER $3OO.OO EugeneRoberts ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION MildredGray lris McConnell I am alsointerested in helpingthe Societyas a volunteer. AnnaHolmes LynnRoberts Pleasecontact me regardingvolunteer opportunities. Andy Wallace For membershipin the Maryland Historical Society, includean JohnMitchell SarahBourne additional$30.00 for individuator $40.00for family. DianeStultz Pleasemake checks payable to PGCHS JoyceDowling WallisCain form to: PrinceGeorge's County HistorrcalSociety Mailchecks and Bob Crawley PO Box 14. Riverdale,MD 20738-0014 PhyllisHerndon Our operatint supportcomes from your duesand contributions. All contributionsqualify for tax deduction. We appreciateyour suPPort! E] Prince O George'sCounfy z C z & -t HistoricalSociety News andNotes SOGIETY trIGTS OFT ITS 'UBIIEE T'Ef,N On September15, 1952,a group of 12 distinguishedPrince Georgeans gathered in the musicroom at Riversdale,the CalvertMansion, to initiateplanning for the formationof what becamethe PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society. The peoplewho met on that eveningin 1952were: T. HowardDuckett, M. Hampton Magruder,John S. Stanley, Leroy Pumphrey,Kent R. Mullikin,A. Gwynn Bowie,T. HammondWelch, Mrs. RhodaChristmas Bowling, Mrs. G.W.S.Musgrave, Mrs. Susanna Cristofane, and Oden Bowie. The photo shows the sole survivorof that intrepidband of Prince Georgeans,Oden Bowie, deliveringremarks at a dinner held on November7, 2002, to commemoratethe beginningof the Society'shemi-centennial. The following informationwas providedby EugeneB. Roberts,Jr., as an introductionto Mr. Bowie'sremarks. "OdenBowie has joined us tonightat "Riversdale"to honor the historyof Prince George'sCounty, just as he joined a groupof 12 distinguishedcitizens of PrinceGeorge's at this very house,in this very room, on September15, 1952,to initiatethe planningfor an organizationthat, in time,became the PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society. AhINUAL HOLIDAY PARTY DECEMBER 14 AT MARIETTA 2 PM BRING ALL THOSE FAI{CY FOODS YOU REMEMBER FROM THE l95Os AI{D BRING YOUR FRIENDS "Mr. T. HowardDuckett was electedTemporary Chairman and Mr. John Stanleyas MembershipChairman. lf I remembercorrectly, Mr. Duckettis alsocredited with starting Parkand Planning,WSSC and one of the localbanks, so clearlythis was a meetingof peoplewho counted. "Weare honored that OdenBowie could be with us tonightand we are gratefulto himand hisco-conspirators who builtthe HistoricalSociety that we haveall enjoyedparticipating in. "Justas the Society,Oden has had a busyand successfulfifty years. "Odenwas bom in 1914and has lived all hislife at'Fairvie#, his family's ancestral home in Bowie,Maryland. 'Fairvieu/ was built in roughly1790 by BaruchDuckett, Oden's great- greatgreat-grandfather.In 1802, Kitty Duckett,daughter of BaruchDuckett, married WilliamBowie of Walterwho movedinto 'FairvieWupon their marriage. Consequently, as of this year,there have been Bowiesliving at Fairviewfor 200 years.'Fairview' is a large house and it has often accommodatedtwo generations.Tonight Oden is accompaniedby hisdaughter, Ambler Bowie Slabe and her husbandBill Slabe, who also liveat 'Fairvieu/. "Odenfollorrued the patternof manyof hisancestors by leadinga successfullife, combining agricultureand public service. Oden graduated from the Universityof Marylandand then returnedto farmat iFairvieu/.Over the yearshe grewtobacco, general crops and cattle. Asthe tobacco market weakened he shifted more to cattleand then in the 1980she began growingturfgrass in cooperationwith his neighbors and cousins, the Roberts,at Fainrood Turf Farm. Fainrood,historically, was a partof 'Fairview'. "ln 19il, Odentook a job in the officeof Secretaryof StateSenate of Marylandand forty- twoyears later he retiredas Maryland'slongest serving Secretary of the StateSenate. (He was Secretaryof the State Senatefor 27 years, from 1969 to 1996.) | once asked someonefamiliar with the legislaturewhat was Oden'ssecret of fong-termsuccess in Annapolis.After all, Statelegislatures are volatileplaees, people come and go, etc. "Theresponse came back'Oden treats everyone the same. He playsno favorites.He is an absolutelystraight shooter. He wouldnot know how to be dishonest,disingenuous or devious.Everyone respects him.' "Odenretired to 'Fairvieu/in 1996where he continues,to thisday, to cutand bale hay for his horses.He checksdaily on his horsesat the BowieRace Track and on the progress of the sod growingoperation and nowthe constructionproject at 'Fairwood.' "Actuallythere is a third reasonwhy it is appropriatethat OdenBowie be in this room tonight.'Riversdale' was builtby anotherone of Oden'sgreat-great-great-grandfathers, BaronHenry J. Stierof Belgium. "'Riversdale's'most noteworthyperiod was under the stewardshipof Henry Stier's daughter,Rosalie Eugenia Stier Calvert and her husband George Calvert, Oden's great- great-grandparents.George and RosalieEugenia's daughter, Rosalie Eugenia Calvert marriedCharles Henry Carter of 'Goodwood'and theirdaughter, Alice Carter married OdenBowie of 'Fairview',Oden's grandfather, who becameGovernor of Marylandfrom 1869to 1873. "Withoutfurther ado I would like to introduceOden Bowie- one of the foundingfathers of the PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society." SOCIETY CONNECTIONS WITH HISTORIC PLACES Riversdale is nationally significant for its architectureas one of the last and best of the Maryland five-part mansions,a regional form that developedfrom Palladianbeginnings as expressedthrough British architecturebooks ofthe eighteenthcentury; it is, however, distinguishedfrom other examples 'Rf cHAftEs € Pf rErs mlzr 6 Ar a&AL c*flrtr@ To Pi@Et ua w0 tffis *Mo 6Y lE sltr aERfr u|re s@€Y of this type by the European design or TH€ NITTNL PA* s€&rcE Arc ]E AtErA[Ut f HLATLPAG. firs 5€l f rAWre WAS€|l.llre N ]993 details brought to America by its original Flemish builders. The plantation complex was documented from its beginning by original family letters and papers that still sun'ive. Riversdaleis uniquely important as the repository (during the early years of the nineteenth century) of the Henry JosephStier family's collectionof Old World paintings,the most outstanding collection of its type in the United States at that time. The property is also significant for its associationwith Charles Benedict Calvert. During the middle of the nineteenth century, the Riversdale plantation was brought to its greatestprominence by Calvert,the prime mover inthe establishmentofthe Maryland Agricultural college(now the University of Maryland at College Park) on part of the extensive Riversdale acreage, and also in the establishmentof the federal-levelBureau of Agriculture, now the U.S. Departmentof Agriculture. During the twentieth century,Riversdale was the home ofa successionofUnited Statescongressmen: Senator Hiram Johnson of California, SenatorsThaddeus and Hattie Caraway of Arkansas, and CongressmanAbraham Lafferty of Oregon. Owned for the last half-century by the Maryland- National Capital Park and PlanningCommission, it was restored and openedto the public in 1993. It was designatedas a National Historic Landmarkn 1997. It was at Riversdalein the fall of 1952 that a group of Prince George's County citizens began planningto establishthe PGCHS; and Riversdalewas the site of meetingsof the Society in the early yearsof its existence,and during the period when Montpelier was undergoingrestoration in the early 1980s. Having begun to acquire some artifacts and a significantly growing number of books, under the leadershipof Fred DeMarr, Riversdalebecame the Society'sheadquarters in the early 1980sand remainedsuch until the move to Marietta in 1985. Montpelier, alsodesignated as a National Historic Landmark,is the grandestofthe manySnowden family plantations built in the Laurel area. Wealthy Quakers, the Snowdensdominated the local economyfrom the late 1600swith their iron works and later textile mills. Major ThomasSnowden built Montpelier about I 783 on the family estate,which at one time totaled 27,,000 acres. Among the guests entertainedhere were George and Martha Washingtonand Abigail Adams. The statelytwo - story,hipped-roo f Georgian mansion, with flanking hyphensand wings, is elegantlybalanced and classicallyinspired. Its interior detailing cornices with agricultural motifs, a round-arch china cabinet,and elaboratemantels -- is without equal in the county. A terracedfront lawn with formal boxwood gardens includes a rare hexagonalsummer house from 1796. Montpelier remainedin the Snowdenfamily until 1888. Its kitchen and servantswing date from about 1916. The last private owner-resident was Breckinridge Long,, assistantsecretary of state under PresidentsWilson and Franklin Roosevelt. Montpeher was conveyedto the Maryland-NationalCapital Park and PlanningCommission in 1961,wffi restoredand is now open to the public. Montpelier was the regular meetingplace of the PGCHS for a number of yearsuntil it was closedfor its major restorationin the early 1980s. fiRnr(a0u On behalfof the Boardof Directors,the Officersand all of the membersof the Prince George'sCounty Historical Society,we wish to extendthanks to Sarahand Andrew Duley for their generosityand hospitalityin the use of their beautifulhome Waverlyfor the Society'sfundraiser in September. Sfones and Bones -- CemeteryRecords of Prince George'sCounU, Maryland NOW ON CD-ROM STONESAND BONES CEMETERYRECORDS OF The PrinceGeorge's County Genealogical Society has PRI:{CEGEORGE'S COUIiTY publishedan electronicversion of the 1984hardback UARYLAND edition of Stones and Bones and included the ffi Addendumpublished in 2000. t-'tD V The hardbackversion of Sfones and Bones whichwas publishedoriginally in 1984 and reissuedin 1988, m coveredall the knownchurch cemeteries, as wellas the privateand family burialgrounds in thecounty. The book includeda brief history of each church,and cemeterieswere groupedby religious denomination.This publication also contains records of tombstonesfound in the smaller churchand family cemeteries in the County.A listingof the largercommercial ceneteries wasalso included. The 2000 Addendumcovered new material,corrections to the originalwork and the discoveryof additionalgrave sites. Nowthe originalwork and the 2000Addendum are availableon a CD-Rom,The CD is windowscompatible, requires 23 MB of harddrive space,16 MB of memoryand a monitorresolution of 800 X 600 or higher. The CD is drivenby InfosolutionsFolio Viewer software, which makesit easy to installand use. Thereis an electronicindex with an everyword search capability, as wellas bookmarks, stickynotes, highlighter and a cutand paste function. The CD was producedto fill the needsof thosewho wantedthe out-of-printhardback edition.Installation of the databaseis quickand easy and you can be up andsearching in a matterof minutes.The electronic index makes it veryeasy to searchfor familynames. Namescan be highlightedand printed out or cutand pasted into other documents. lf you are doingfamily research in PrinceGeorge's County, this is a musthave research tool. TheCD is availablefom thePrince George's County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 819, Bowie,Mp 20718-0819,$36.00 plus $2.50 shipping. The Genealogical Society is having a Christmassale from 10 Novemberto 31 December2002, and during that period Sfones andBones can be purchasedfor $30,00plus $2.50 shipping, For additional information aboutthe saleand other publications of the GenealogicalSociety check out their website at http://www. rootsweb. com/-m dpqcgs. - DianeStultz A SpecialChristmas Present Hereis YOURopportunity to makea differencein ourpublic school education curriculum! Whenthe Boardof Educationimplemented the SocialStudies unit aboutthe Historyof PrinceGeorge's County, the Society offered several in-service training sessions to prepare theteachers. For a varietyof reasons,this opportunityhas not beenavailable for several years. Manysixth grade teachers are notfrom this areaand do not havea background in the rich historicaland culturalheritage of our County.We believethat everyteacher shoufd have access to a copy of A Pictorial History of Prtnce George's County, publishedby the Societyand written by Alan Virta, to enrichtheir awarenessof local history. The PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society has madeit possibleto acquirea copyof this valuablebook at a reducedprice of $40.00inclusive of shippingand handling,for deliveryto the schoolof yourchoice. lf you wishto donatebut do not havea particular school in mind,w€ can assistyou in selectingone. A bookplatewith an appropriate inscriptionwill be placedin each book. This is an excellentway to memorializea loved oneor to recognizea favoriteteacher. Foradditional information, please contact Sarah Bourne at 301-277-5468 or by emaifat [email protected] YOU! ANOTHER'BLASTFROII THEPAST' This issueof Newsand Notes has beenedited by a guest- yes Les Sweetingwas in town for a fewdays around Thanksgiving and he putthis one into the computer.Les has been livingand working in Macedonia- and eventhough he is 6 timezones to the Easthe does notforget the PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society. He has undertakenthe job of creatingan electroniccopy of all Newsand Notesissues since Volume 1, Number1 appearedin March1973. He has completed scanning and editing 1973through 1989 and hasbrought them back on a CD-Romso thatthe Boardcan considerwhether to publish them. Overthe nextfew months Les will work on the issuesbeginning with January 1990 andeventually we will havea completeelectronic version of this resource. So HappyHolidays from a past presidentand one who thinksfondly of PGCHSevery week! -Les Sweeting gR €J RgffI EffIE A'?42F "JFA E6? A couple of years ago, the Society Holiday Party was built around a theme - "Food through the Millennia"and this was a lot of fun for the researchersand those who attendedthe event. This year - in honorof our Jubilee- we are harkingback to the Fifties - a time when life seemed sweeterand Americawas still innocent. Pleasejoin the membersof the PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society on December14 beginningat 2 PM and bringa guest (or two) and your favoritesnack from the Fifties! Everyonemakes fun of our childhood! Comediansjoke about it. Grandkidssnicker - twenty-somethingsshudder and say "Eeew!" Butwas our childhoodall that bad? Judge for yourselves! . In 1953the U.S.population was lessthan 150million - yetyou knewrxf,repeople then, and you knewthem better- and that was good! . The averageannual salary was lessthan $3,000- yetour parentscould put some of it awayfor a rainyday and we still liveda decentlife - and that was good! . A loaf of bread cost about 150- but it was safe for a five-year-oldto skateto the storeand buy one - and that was good! . Prime-timemeant I Love Lucy, Ozzieand Harriet,Gunsmoke and Lassie- so no one ever heardof ratingsor filters- and that was good! . We did not have air conditioning- so the windowsstayed up and half-a-dozen mothersran outsidewhen you fell off your bike - and that was good! o four teacherwas eitherMiss Matthews or Mrs.Logan or Mr.Adkins - but not Ms. Beckyor Mr. Dan- and thatwas good! . The only hazardousmaterial you knewabout was a patchof grassburrs(nettles) aroundthe lightpole on the corner- and thatwas good! . You loved to climb into a freshlymade bed - becausethe sheetswere dried on a clothesline- and thatwas good! . People generallylived in the same hometownwith their familiesso child care meantgrandparents or auntsand uncles- and that was Good! o Jelevisionwas in blackand white- but outdoorswas in gloriouscolor - and that was certainlygood! . Your Dad knew how to adjust everybody'scarburetor - and the Dad next door knew how to adjustthe TV knobs- and that was very good! . Grandmagrew snap beans in the back yard - and chickensbehind the garage- and that was definitelygood! 'really AND Just when you were about to do sonething bad' - Chan@swere that you'd run intoyour Dad'shigh school coach - or the nosyold ladyfrom up the street- or your little sister's piano teacher- or somebodyfrom church-All of them knew your parents' telephonenumber - and your first name- and, yet, THAT WAS GOOD! REMEMBER? SEE YOU AT 2 PM ON THE 14IHOF DECETUBERAT MARIETTA! Prince George'sCounty Historical Society Heritage Calendar December 2002 7 - Farmhousetedby Candlelight NationalColonial Farm 5-8PM 301-283-21l3 free 7 Holiday Tea RiversdaleHouse Museum I -3 30l-864-0420 $S 7 - Dickens ChnstmasParty His Lordshrp'sKindness 6-9 301-856-0358$S 7-8 Belair Christmasby Candlelight Museum& Stable 4-7 301-809-3089 $$ 7,8,9 HolidayCandlelight Tours MariettaHouse Museum 6-8:30 301-464=5291$$ 8 Family Holiday Fun Bowie Train Museum l2-4 301-809-3089free I I - l4 Holiday CandlelightTours MontpelierMansion 6-9 301-953-1376 $S ll/29 3rd Annual GingerbreadHouse Show l2ll4 Darnall'sChance House Museum l2-4 301-952-8010S$ 11-12 WWII WelcomeHome ChristmasCandlelight Tours l5-16 His Lordship'sKindness 5-9 301-856-0358SS l9 12&26Holiday High Tea BelairMansion 301-809-3089S$ l3 ChristmasCarols SingingCelebration & Refreshments DorseyChapel 7-9 301-352-5544free 14 Colonial Christmasfor Kids BelairMansion l0 AM 301-809-3089$$ 14 Holiday High Tea His Lordship'sKindness 2-4 301-856-0358SS l4-16 A Civil War Yuletide SurrattHouse 5-9 301-868-I l2l $$ l5 Hansel& GretelTea Party Darnall'sChance House Museum 2-3 301-952-8010$$ 26&27 Winter Evenings RiversdaleHouse Museum 7-9 301-864-0420 $$ PRINCE GEORGE'SCOUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Londmorl Calven of Marylond Ihis fact-basednovel shows the home lifeof the colonistsfrom a child'sviewpoint. This story is told in the firstperson by young 3eorge Calvert.godson of the first Lord Baltimore,George Calvert.. \eprint of JamesOtis Kaler'sl9l0 publication.Hardcover 166 pages, pen andink illustrations.Price $5.95 Atlos of fifteen Miles around Woshington including the County of Prince George Morylond Compiled,Driwn & Publishedfrom ActualSurveys bt G.M. Hopkins1878 including "historical" sketches. Indexed. Reprint1975. Soft coyer 47 pages.Price $10.00 Atlosof Prince George'sCounty, Moryland 186I {tler wal adipted from Manenet'r Map of Prince George'sCount/ Maryland,with information from 1860federal census for eachElecdon )irtricr Indexed. Reprint 1996.Sof! cover 12 pages. Price $10.00 PrinceGeorge's County, Morylond Indexesof Church RegistersI 686-r885 VolumeI ProtestontEpiscopol Church, King C*orge's Porish & QueenAnne's Porish by Helen W. Brown Reprint2000 Soft cover 200 pages. Price$ 18.00 PrinceGeorge's County, Motylond lndexesof Church RegistersI 686-t 885 'lolume2 ProtestontEpiscopol Church, St Poul'sPorish ond PrinceGeorge's Porish ry Helen W. Brown Reprint 2000 Softc over 196 pages. Price $ 18.00 Out of the Post - Prince Georgeonr ond their Land ihronide of werydaylife in PrinceGeorge's County, Mrrytmd from the time of its foundintin 1696until the beSioninSof the Civilft. Lom informrtion Slernedfrorn prblic rccords, newspaper:end privete prpers. bv R. LeeVan Ho.n ReDrint 1996 Hrrdcqver 422 puet. Prke S20.00 fricente nnial Cook Book 3ontains recipes collected from county residentsas part of the tricentennialcelebration. Compiled & Editedby Dorothy Rainwater& l-ricentennialCelebration Committee. Printed 1996. Soft cover. spiral bound | 50 Pates.Price $ 10.00 lourney Through Time - A Pictoriol Histoty of the Prince George'sCounty Police Deportment A history of the county police department coving over 200 yea6. Indexed' by Lc DennisCampbell Printed 199l. Hardcoyer304 pages.Price $40.00 Shipping$3.00* Shipping: * P.G. Pictorial History, *lourney Through Time & * Londmorlcsof Prince George'sCounty Shippingis $3.00 eachfor thesebooks. They are shippedseparate. ALL OTHER BOOKS- SHtpptNG$2.50 EACH AND 501FOR EACH ADDITIONAL BOOK. InrernacionalOrders Pleaseadd $ 10.00to checost for overseasshipping. Sendorders to: Prince George's County Historical Society Make checkspayable to: Publication Sales Prince George's County Historical Society P.O. Box l4 Maryland residents please add 5% sales tax Riverdale, MD 20738-001 4 PRINCE GEORGE'S Non-Profit Org. COI.JNTY HISTORICAL U.S.Postage Paid SOCIETY Riverdale,MD PermitNo. 1948 Post Office Box l4 Riverdale,Maryland 20738-00 l4 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION President Petro DATE John Vice President JimWolfe Secretary NAME: Dusty Rhodes ADDRESS: Treasurer JoyceUber CITY.STATE, ZIP: Historian SusanPearl TELEPHONEHome Business Editor PLEASEINDICATE: NEW RENEWAL SharonH. Sweeting Membership DUESCATEGORY (PLEASE CHECK ONE) DonnaSchneider MEMBERJFAMILY $25.00SUSTAINING MEMBER $5O.OO Directors BillUber |NST|TUTTONALMEMBER $50.00LIFE MEMBER _ $300.00 EugeneRoberts ADDITIONALCONTRIBUTION MildredGray lris McConnell I am alsointerested in helpingthe Societyas a volunteer. AnnaHolmes Pleasecontact me regardingvolunteer opportunities. Lynn Roberts Andy Wallace For membershipin the Maryland Historical Society, includean JohnMitchell SarahBourne additional$30.00 for individualor $40.00for family. DianeStultz Pleasemake checks payable to PGCHS JoyceDowling WallisCain Mailchecks and form to: PrinceGeorge's County HistoricalSociety Bob Crowley PO Box 14, Riverdale,MD 20738-0014 PhyllisHerndon Our operatingsupport comes from your duesand contributions. All contributionsqualify for tax deduction. We appreciateyour support!