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.

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.

2011 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 29, 1-3 pm
Winter on the Plantation: A Hands-On Black History Month Program
Through hands-on activities, experience the winter chores and pastimes of Montpelier’s enslaved residents. Activities include games to improve hunting skills, preserving foods, weaving, sewing, candle making (weather permitting), and more.
$5/per participant, FREE/ages 4 and under
Reservations required. Please call 301-377-7817; TTY 301-699-2544.

Saturday, February 12, 2:30 pm
Friendship Tea
Bring your best friend, sweetheart or buddy to tea. Includes a selection of fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones and your choice of two loose leaf teas. Tea and food are served on imported English china and tiered silver stands. Tea will be in Montpelier’s elegant South Wing, which will be decorated for Valentine’s Day.
Reservations required. Please call 301- 377-7817; TTY 301-699-2544.
Fee: $25/person

Sunday, February 27, 2 pm
George Washington Musicale with Simple Gifts
Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, Simple Gifts plays everything from lively Irish jigs to hard-driving Klezmer frailachs and haunting Gypsy melodies. This award-winning trio plays an amazing array of instruments and songs from around the world.
Ages 12 and up.
$10/FoM Members; $15/Non-member. Reservations required. Please call 301-377-7817; TTY 301-699-2544

Opening Reception: March 5, 1 pm
Exhibition: March 1-31, 11 am-4 pm Daily
Chesapeake Woodturners Exhibit
See the mansion filled with beautiful turned wood objects, all hand-made by members of the Chesapeake Woodturners. Demonstrations will be given Saturdays and Sundays, 1pm to 4pm, weather permitting (please call to verify).
Free

Saturday, March 12, 1-4 pm
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!
$5 per child. Reservations recommended. Call 301-377-7817
Ages 5 and up

Wednesday, March 16, 7:30 pm
History Lecture – The War of 1812 in Prince George’s County
Ralph Eshelman, author of the recently published book, The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake: A Reference Guide to Historic Sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, will speak on Maryland during that war, with special emphasis on Prince George’s County. Note: This lecture will take place at the Montpelier Art Center, located on the Montpelier grounds.
Refreshments served.
Free

Sunday, April 3, 2:30 pm
Spring Bonnet Tea
Wear your favorite bonnet, hat, chapeau or sombrero! Get creative! Prizes awarded in several catagories. Call for details.
Cost: $25 per person. Payment required in advance.
Reservations required. Call 301-377-7817 (no e-mail reservations please).

Wednesday, April 20, 7:30 pm
History Lecture – Maryland and the Civil War
Civil War historian Charles Mitchell will speak about Maryland on the edge of war, including the political and socio-economic dynamics in the state as war approached. He will also cover wartime topics such as secession and slavery. Mr. Mitchell's book, Maryland Voices of the Civil War, will be available for purchase.
Free. Refreshments served.

Saturday, April 23, 10-11:30 am
Things We Believe In: A workshop on Preserving Family Photographs, Scrapbooks and Other Documents
Kick off Preservation Week with this workshop on preserving family documents. Led by Montpelier Mansion collections manager Karen Whitehair, this workshop will introduce you to the techniques used by archivists to preserve historical documents, and will provide resources you can use to become your own family’s archivist.
Ages 16 and over
Fee: $5/person
Reservations required. Please call 301- 377-7817; TTY 301-699-2544.

Saturday, April 30, 10 am-4 pm
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts
Join us for the 15th year of this family oriented festival. Montpelier Mansion and Montpelier Arts Center join forces to bring you a day that will delight your senses. Hear live music. Indulge in tea and scones in Montpelier’s elegant South Wing. Take a tour of the mansion, or visit the Art Center’s galleries and studios. With over 30 vendors on the grounds, it’s a great opportunity to find the perfect Mothers’ Day gift. Kids can play old-fashioned games, dress up in colonial costume, see a live animal exhibit, and more.
Free

Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 pm
History Lecture – The History of May Day Celebrations
Katy Hayes, historian, re-enactor and longtime Montpelier docent, will speak about the history of May Day celebrations, with a special emphasis on African American celebrations.
Free. Refreshments served.

Sunday, May 29, 2:30 pm
Summer Surprise Tea
Treat yourself and someone special to Montpelier Mansion’s Summer Surprise Tea. Includes a selection of fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones and your choice of quality loose leaf teas. Tea and food are served on imported English china and tiered silver stands. Tea will be in Montpelier’s elegant South Wing.
Cost: $25 per person. Payment required in advance.
Reservations required. Call 301-377-7817 (no e-mail reservations please).

Wednesday, September 21, 7:30 pm
Fall History Lecture – Speaker and topic to be announced.
Free. Refreshments served.

Wednesday, October 19, 7:30 pm
Fall History Lecture – Speaker and topic to be announced.
Free. Refreshments served.

Friday, November 4, 3-7 pm
Exhibit Opening for Needleart 2011
Be one of the first to see our popular annual needleart exhibit, and enjoy light refreshments.
$6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children

Saturday, November 5 – Sunday, November 27, 11 am-4 pm
Needleart 2011
Sponsored by Stitching Pretty of Laurel, Montpelier hosts the 16th 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.

Wednesday, November 16, 7:30 pm
Fall History Lecture – Speaker and topic to be announced.
Free. Refreshments served.
Note: This lecture will take place at the Montpelier Art Center, located on the Montpelier grounds.

Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, 6-9 pm
Holiday Candlelight Tours
Warm up your winter evenings with festive music, lovely candlelight and traditional holiday greens. Local garden clubs decorate the mansion’s rooms in 18th century style. Area performers entertain nightly. Light refreshments served. Kids can learn about the history of Christmas by doing crafts and other hands-on activities.