9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708
301-377-7817; TTY 301-446-3302; Fax 301-377-7818
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Experience the rich history of Montpelier Mansion through a variety of events and tours.

Montpelier Mansion and "Between Fences"

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, “Between Fences”
Do “good fences make good neighbors?” Why? Montpelier Mansion, in cooperation with Maryland Humanities Council and the Laurel Museum, will explore this and other aspects of the cultural history of fences and land use as it hosts the local showing of Between Fences, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. Montpelier is honored to be the first stop in this traveling exhibition, which will be in six other Maryland communities. Montpelier will examine the immigrant experience in Laurel, starting with the first Snowden to arrive in the area. Between Fences is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Maryland Humanities Council.

Montpelier Mansion Awarded Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
All hosts of the Between Fences traveling exhibition are charged with creating a companion exhibit – as well as supporting programs such as lectures, performances, school programs, and more – based on their own community’s history with boundaries. Montpelier Mansion has chosen to base their companion exhibit and supporting programs on the metaphorical boundaries faced by immigrants throughout history. Starting with the arrival of Richard Snowden, an indentured servant who’s great, great grandson built Montpelier Mansion, Laurel has always been a destination for those seeking opportunity in a new land. We will explore the challenges and successes of newcomers – both forced migrants like Africans brought here to be enslaved, and voluntary immigrants coming here to find opportunities – to this area from the 1600s to the present, striving to find common ground between the early European settlers and more recent immigrants from Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Do You Want to Be a Part of "Between Fences"?
We all have immigrant stories. Whether you immigrated here yourself or are several generations removed from your ancestors who did, we would like to hear your memories and stories. We are conducting interviews with residents of Laurel about their families’ immigrant experience. The immigrant did not have to settle in Laurel, we’re just looking for family immigrant stories of people who live here now. These stories will be featured somehow in our exhibit. We are also looking to borrow family photographs and mementos that somehow help to tell the story of your immigrant experience. If you would like to get involve with this exhibit, visit our Between Fences page for more information.

EXHIBITS
Visit our Reproduction Kitchen
The Reproduction Kitchen offers visitors a chance to see the work that went into the Snowden's famous hospitality. Learn about the skilled workers - enslaved, indentured and free - who enabled plantations like Montpelier to prosper, from those who built the kitchen to those who cooked the wide array of tempting dishes enjoyed at early Maryland's finest tables.

2010 EVENT CALENDAR

  


Girl Scout Programs
For Brownies:
Listening to the Past Try -It, and Manners Try-It
For Juniors:
Folk Art Badge, Architecture Badge, Toymakers Badge
Fee: $7/scout

Girl Scout Etiquette Teas
A fun 2-hour program that will teach the finer points of tea service, table manners and conversation. Fee includes tea and scones, party favors, and a tour of Montpelier. Reservations required. Please call 301-377-7817 for more information or reservations.
Teas: $15/scout.

Saturday, January 30, 2 pm (Snow Date, Saturday, February 6, 2 pm)
A Black History Month Concert with the Society for the Preservation of African American Arts
The Society for the Preservation of African American Arts was formed to teach the public about African Americans’ rich history through re-enactments, song and theater based on plantation life in the 1800s. Reservations required.
Ages 12 and up.
$10/FoM Members; $15/Non-member. For reservations, please call 301-377-7817 This program is funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council.

Sunday, February 14, 3 pm (Snow Date, Sunday, February 28, 3 pm
George Washington Musicale with Pro Musica Rara
Pro Musica Rara will perform music for string quartet, featuring the music of Haydn, Mozart, and others. Pro Musica Rara consists of members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The group is now in its 24th season, and has performed all kinds of music, from the Renaissance to the early 19th Century. Reservations required.
Ages 12 and up.
$10/FoM Members; $15/Non-member. For reservations, please call 301-377-7817 This program is funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council.

Saturday and Sunday, March 13 and 14, 10 am to Noon
Hands-On History Days – Be a Woodturner’s Apprentice
Work in a woodturner’s shop and help make chairs the old-fashioned way. You’ll learn how the legs and spindles were turned on a lathe, then you’ll get to sand and polish them, and even weave even the seats! When you’re done, you’ll get your very own apprentice’s contract, that you’ll fill out yourself with a quill pen and ink!
$7 per child. Reservations recommended. Call 301-377-7817
Ages 5 and up

Wednesday, March 17, 7:30 pm
Vince Vaise, Park Ranger with the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
He will speak on the events that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the Star Spangled Banner.
Ages 12 and up.
Refreshments Served.
Free. No reservations required.

Wednesday, April 21, 7:30 pm
History Lecture – Hampton House of Baltimore
The Hampton Mansion is one of the most exquisite examples of Georgian architecture in the United States today. However, the fact that the Ridgley family benefited from free labor was not shared with the general public until 2006. Gov. Charles Carnan Ridgley enslaved up to 350 people at height of the family's wealth. Who were the enslaved and enslavers of Hampton? What was the climate and conditions in which these people lived?
Angela Roberts-Burton, Park Ranger with the Hampton National Historic Site, will address these and other questions that still need to be addressed after further research is done.
Ages 12 & up. Refreshments served.
FREE. No reservations required.

Saturday, May 1, 10 am- 4 pm
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts
Click here for Festival Schedule
Vendors of herbs, plants, arts and crafts, tours of Montpelier, cooking and gardening lectures, colonial games and art projects for kids, artist’s demonstrations, a live animal exhibit, and more await you at this annual festival on the beautiful grounds of Montpelier. This year, experience the fascinating culture of India, our “Tea Producing Country of the Year”! Enjoy Indian dance and music, food, tea, even a Bollywood aerobics class!
FREE.

Wednesday, May 19, 7:30 pm
History Lecture – “Gems of Endearment”
Refreshments ServedMaster gemologist and appraiser Lynne Loube will speak on the jewelry of George and Martha Washington. Ms. Loube has been an appraiser for over thirty years, and is one of the leading experts on the Washington jewelry. She was invited by the Society of the Cincinnati to do a qualitative report on the diamonds in George Washington’s Eagle order. This talk is sure to give you a clearer and more detailed picture of America’s first first couple.
FREE.

Sunday, June 20, 12 noon – 4 pm
Free Father’s Day Tours
Complimentary tours of the Museum to fathers and grandfathers when accompanied by a paying child or grandchild.
No reservations necessary.
Regular tour admission price.

Sundays, June 27, July 18, August 1, 4 - 6 pm
Family Fun Days
These free family nights out are becoming an annual tradition for many. Come explore the grounds of Montpelier, play games, dress up in old-fashioned clothes, take a tour and more. A nice way to spend a summer evening. Families are welcome to have a picnic dinner on the grounds, but please have a rain plan since there are no inside eating facilities.
No reservations necessary.
FREE

Friday, July 16, 3 - 7 pm
Exhibit Opening for Needleart 2010
Be one of the first to see our popular annual needleart exhibit, and enjoy light refreshments.
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children

Saturday, July 17 –Friday, July 30, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Needleart 2010
Sponsored by Stitching Pretty of Laurel, Montpelier hosts the 15th annual Needleart show. See the rooms of Montpelier filled with a dazzling array of stitched art, from needlepoint to ribbon work. Judges choose winners in several categories, and you the visitor are invited to vote for the “People’s Choice” award. Demonstrations of various needleart techniques are given daily. Attention stitchers! Click here for applications for the show.

Saturday, July 17 –Friday, July 30, 11 am – 4 pm
Family Fun Days
Sponsored by Stitching Pretty of Laurel, Montpelier hosts the 15th annual Needleart show. See the rooms of Montpelier filled with a dazzling array of stitched art, from needlepoint to ribbon work. Judges choose winners in several categories, and you the visitor are invited to vote for the “People’s Choice” award. Demonstrations of various needleart techniques are given daily.

September 19, 2-6 pm – Opening Reception
September 20 through November 7, 11 am - 4 pm Daily – Exhibition
Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, “Between Fences”
Do “good fences make good neighbors?” Why? Montpelier Mansion, in cooperation with Maryland Humanities Council, will explore this and other aspects of the cultural history of fences and land use as it hosts the local showing of Between Fences, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. Montpelier is honored to be the first stop in this traveling exhibition, which will be in six other Maryland communities. Montpelier will examine the immigrant experience in Laurel, starting with the first Snowden to arrive in the area. Between Fences is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Maryland Humanities Council.

September 18 – November 17
Programs, lectures and exhibits on the “Between Fences” theme
Please call (301) 377-7817 or log onto www.pgparks.com for details.

Wednesdays, September 15, October 20 and November 17
Fall History Lecture Series
Just like the Spring Lecture Series, with enlightening talks, a relaxed atmosphere, and delicious refreshments.
Wednesday, September 15, 7:30 pm
“Between Fences” speaker, TBA
Wednesday, October 20, 7:30 pm
“Between Fences” speaker, TBA
No reservations necessary.
FREE

Wednesday, November 17, 7:30 pm
A Riverkeeper’s Patuxent Journey
By Fred Tutman, Patuxent Riverkeeper
Fred Tutman, Patuxent Riverkeeper and a sixth generation resident on a family farm on that river, works full time as an advocate for Patuxent River water quality in all seven counties along the river. He will share pictures and personal reflections about his 25 years of activism and engagement with the people, problems and issues of Maryland’s longest intrastate waterway. He will also discuss the history of the Patuxent and its stewardship.

Friday, December 10 – Saturday, December 11, 6–9 pm
Holiday Candlelight Tours
Warm up your winter evenings with festive music, lovely candlelight and traditional holiday greens. Local garden clubs display their creative skills throughout the house. Area performers entertain nightly. Light refreshments served. New this year! Stop by the Carriage House for fun, hands-on activities! Learn about the holiday traditions of some of Maryland’s first immigrants, make Christmas crafts, and more!
Fee: $3 adults, $1 children ages 6 – 17 (free for ages 5 and under)