Montpelier Mansion9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708
301-377-7817; TTY 301-446-3302; Fax 301-377-7818
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com
 A fine example of Georgian architecture, popular in Maryland in the late 1700's, Montpelier Mansion sits on approximately 70 acres of beautiful parkland. Architectural and building construction details, as well as historical research, suggest that the house was constructed between 1781 and 1785. Major Thomas Snowden and his wife Anne, original owners of Montpelier Mansion, welcomed many distinguished guests into their home, including George Washington and Abigail Adams.
Montpelier Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, is operated as a house museum and rental facility. Select rooms have been researched and furnished as they would have appeared from the end of the 18th century until 1830. A boxwood-lined pathway runs through the garden to the original 18th century summer house.
In conjunction with the Friends of Montpelier volunteer organization, staff offer tours, concerts, festivals, re-enactments, exhibits, lectures, and seminars. In addition, teas are offered periodically. Montpelier Mansion is available for weddings, receptions, luncheons, and meetings.
Calendar of Events
Photo Tour
History
Visitor Information
Group Tours
Featured Events
Teas
Smithsonian Exhibit
Rental Information
Girl Scout Programs
School and Homeschool Tours
Volunteer!
Location and Directions
Public Transportation
History
Ann Ridgely and "Major" Thomas Snowden, each a member of prominent Maryland families, married in 1774. In 1781, the couple commissioned the building of Montpelier, a five-part Georgian home near present-day Laurel in Prince George's County, Maryland. Situated upon a high knoll above the Patuxent River, the site commanded an unequaled view. Two firebacks in the house are inscribed "TSA 1783" indicating the owners and probable completion year of the mansion.
Seventy acres and the house remain of what was once a 9,000-acre plantation containing an array of outbuildings, including tobacco barns, stables, and slave quarters. Although limited documentation is available about the daily operations, enslaved Africans and indentured servants provided the labor as field hands and skilled craftsmen at the plantation and the nearby Patuxent Ironworks.
The Snowdens' reputation for genteel hospitality and the proximity of their home to the main road to northern cities, such as Philadelphia and New York, made Montpelier host to many influential people. George Washington visited several times, most notably on his way to and from the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Abigail Adams also stayed at Montpelier and described the estate as a "Large, Handsome, Elegant House, where I was received with what we might term true English Hospitality."
Montpelier remained in the Snowden family until 1890. Throughout the years following 1890, the estate changed ownership several times and new facilities were constructed. In the early 1900's, the kitchen and servants' quarter¿s extension off the south wing were added, as was the seven-stall garage, known as the carriage house. The house was restored in the 1980s to reflect the occupation of Nicholas Snowden who inherited the house from his father and owned it until his death in 1831.
Montpelier Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, is one of the finest examples of 18th century Georgian architecture in the state. Large trees and boxwood grace the landscape which features a rare surviving 18th century summer house.
Montpelier Mansion is open to the public for tours and shopping opportunities. Montpelier Mansion is available for weddings, receptions, luncheons, and meetings.
Mansion Tours
March–November
Monday–Thursday: Drop-in self-guided tours, 11 am–3 pm
Sundays: Guided tours at noon, 1, 2, and 3 pm
December–February Monday–Thursday: Drop-in self-guided tours, 11 am–3 pm
Sundays: Guided tours at 1 and 2 pm
Admission for Mansion Tours:
$3/adults, $2/seniors/groups, $1/ages 5-18, FREE/ages 4 & under
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm
The Montpelier Mansion Gift Shop Hours
Sunday–Friday, 11 am–4 pm
The Montpelier Mansion Gift Shop is now located in the mansion office. Montpelier memorabilia, books, music and old-fashioned toys are for sale. Call staff at 301-377-7817 for more information.
Group Tour Information
We offer tours for all different age groups, from pre-school to senior citizens. Some tours include a variety of hands-on activities, from old-fashioned crafts to 18th century social dances. The price per person depends on the type of tour. For more information, call 301-377-7817.
Featured Events
Due to the impending snow storm, the concert by the Society for the Preservation of African American Arts (below) has been rescheduled until March 6 at 2pm. You can still make reservations for this concert by calling (301)377-7817. $10 - members/seniors 60+/students/Prince George's County Residents.
Celebrate Black History Month with the Society for the Preservation of African American Arts Saturday, March 6, 2pm.
The Society for the Preservation of African American Arts is dedicated to preserving the music and culture of the African experience in America. In addition to period spirituals, SPAAA engages audiences in storytelling and living history demonstrations of plantation life in the 1800s. The singers have performed throughout Maryland, captivating audiences of all ages. This performance is sponsored in part by the Maryland State Arts Council
The George Washington Musicale with Pro Musica Rara Sunday, February 14, 3pm (Snow Date, Sunday, February 28, 3pm)
Pro Musica Rara - meaning "of music rarely heard" - includes members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The group is now in its 35th season, and has performed many types of music, from Renaissance to early 19th Century. For this concert, the group will perform music for string quartet, featuring the music of Haydn, Mozart, and others. $10 Friends of Montpelier Members; $15 Non-members Reservations required. (301) 377-7817 This performance is sponsored in part by the Maryland State Arts Council
The Teas Are Back!
Friday, January 22, 2:30 (Snow Date, January 29, 2:30) Valentine's Tea! Saturday, February 13, 2:30 (Snow Date, February 20, 2:30) Fridays, March 12 and 26, 2:30
Join us for authentic English afternoon tea served by The Tea Trolley. Treat yourself or a special someone to a relaxing atmosphere while indulging in a selection of fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones and your choice of two quality loose leaf teas, served on imported English china and tiered silver stands.
Advance reservations required. Space is limited.
Fee: $25 per person.
For information call 301-377-7817.
Montpelier Mansion Awarded Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit! 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. Between Fences will be on view beginning September 18 and continuing through November 7.
Montpelier Mansion and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by the Maryland Humanities Council to host Between Fences as part of the Museum on Main Street project – a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural and suburban cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour six communities in Maryland from September 2010 through August 2011. Read more »
Rental Information
Montpelier Mansion sits on approximately 70 acres of beautiful parkland. Select rooms of the mansion have been researched and furnished as they would have appeared in the early 1800s. The mansion features two wings lit by chandeliers with high ceilings and crown molding. The house is surrounded by several varieties of evergreens and 200-year-old boxwoods.
Availability
Daily year around, except Sundays and Holidays
Capacity (indoor or outdoor)
85 people maximum
Rates
Saturday Rates: $1,150/7 hours
For fees and availability please call 301-377-7817 for more information.
Girl Scout Programs
Brownie Try-It Programs
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Etiquette - This program includes a tour and tea party, where girls will learn the proper way to behave in this delightful ritual.
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Listening to the Past - Brownies will step back in time and experience a day in the life of a colonial child.
Junior Badge Programs
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Folk Art - Juniors will study 18th and 19th century visual art, dance, music and literature.
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Toymakers - Girls will make their own toys, invent their own games, play with old-fashioned toys, and more.
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Architecture - Montpelier is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in Maryland. Junior scouts will learn about this style by examining the house in many different ways.
Schools and Home Schoolers please note: The Girl Scout programs above can also be adapted for school groups and home school groups. Volunteer!
The Friends of Montpelier, a volunteer organization, working with M-NCPPC staff, help furnish the mansion through donations, tour fees, and fundraisers. This group helps develop and present an array of programs and serve as docents. Find out about membership to the Friends of Montpelier.
M-NCPPC volunteer opportunities also are available.
The Montpelier Arts Center on the Mansion grounds is free and open seven days a week from 10 am-5 pm except holidays. For more information about art exhibits and artists in residence call 301-377-7800, TTY 301-490-2329.
Location/Directions
Located in Laurel, Maryland, near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
From the D.C. or Baltimore area, take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Route 295) to Route 197 (Laurel-Bowie Road). Turn west onto Route 197. Turn left onto Muirkirk Road. Turn right into Montpelier grounds.
From Route 29, turn East onto Route 198. Cross I-95 & Route 1, turn right at the next intersection onto Route 197 (Laurel-Bowie Road). Proceed to Muirkirk Road and turn right. Turn right into the Montpelier Mansion grounds.
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