|
9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708
301-377-7817; TTY 301-454-1472; Fax 301-377-7818
montpeliermansion@pgparks.com
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Experience the rich history of Montpelier Mansion through a variety of events and tours. To register for events at Montpelier, visitSMARTlink.
2009 EVENT CALENDAR
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.
Saturday, February 7, 2:00 pm (Snow date, Sunday, February 8)
Black History Month Lecture by John Gartrell, Archivist with Baltimore’s Afro- American Newspaper
John Gartrell of Baltimore’s historic Afro-American Newspaper, will speak on his current research on African American history, as well as his work at the Maryland State Archives, where, for four years, he was Lead Research Archivist in the Department of the Study of Slavery in Maryland. While employed at the archives, he was involved with numerous projects, including “Beneath the Underground: The Flight to Freedom and Communities in Antebellum Maryland,” a comprehensive study of the flight from slavery in Maryland from 1830-1860. His last research project for the Archives led to the discovery of the text of Dr. Martin Luther King’s commencement address to the 1958 Class of Morgan State College.
Reservations required (301) 377-7817
Ages 10 and up
FREE
Sunday, February 15, 3:00 pm
George Washington Musicale with the Maryland State Boychoir
Back by popular demand! The maryland State Boychoir impressed a Montpelier audience so much last year, we’ve invited them back again! They have performed in a variety of venues such as The White House, The Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St. Patrick’s and Holy Trinity Cathedrals in New York, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Ireland, and Coventry Cathedral in England. They have toured locally, nationally, and internationally. The choir has produced five recordings and been featured on NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” and on Maryland Public Television. In addition, their Christmas CD, What Sweeter Music, was broadcast nationally on National Family Radio.
Reservations required (301) 377-7817
Ages 12 and up
$5 per person.
Opening Reception: Sunday, March 1, 1:00–4:00 pm
Exhibit: March 1 – 31, 11:00 am–4:00 pm Daily
Chesapeake Woodturners Guild Exhibit
See the mansion filled with beautiful turned wood objects, all hand-made by members of the Chesapeake Woodturners Guild. Some of the works are made from naturally-fallen trees at Montpelier. Demonstrations will be given Saturdays and Sundays, 1 – 4 pm, weather permitting (please call to verify 301-377-7817)
FREE
Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, 10:00 – 12:00 Noon
Hands-On History Day for Kids: Be a Woodturner’s Apprentice
Work in a woodturner’s shop and help make chairs the old-fashioned way. You’ll learn how legs and spindles were turned and get to sand and polish them, and even weave 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!
Reservations recommended, 301-377-7817
Ages 5 and up
$7 per child
Wednesdays, March 18, April 15 and May 20, 7:30 pm
Spring History Lecture Series
The talks are enlightening, the atmosphere relaxed, and the refreshments, delicious!
No reservation required
Ages 12 and up
FREE
Wednesday, March 18, 7:30 pm
Maryland Horse Racing
Pam Williams, Director of The City of Bowie museums, which includes the Belair Stables, one of Maryland’s earliest racing stables, presents a program on Maryland’s proud horse racing history. Light refreshments served. Please Note! Lecture will be held in the Montpelier Arts Center.
Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 pm
Sweetmeats and Conceits: A Brief Social History of Sugar
From Asia via the Arab world to Elizabethan England and the Age of Exploration, sugar became a significant force in transforming trade, economies, foodways and rituals for people all over the globe. Food Historian Katy Hayes will offer some glimpses into the power and enduring love of sugar. Light refreshments served.
Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 pm
Postal Zones in Early Prince George’s County
Susan Pearl, an historian well-known for her knowledge of Prince George’s County history, and formerly with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Historic Preservation Section, will present the whys and wherefores of postal zones in early Prince George’s County.
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am– 4:00 pm (Rain or shine)
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts
Join us for the 12th 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 East 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 admission to the grounds
Sundays, June 28, July 19 & August 2, 4-6 pm
Family Fun Days
Non-perishable food items accepted for donation to local food banks. These were such a hit in 2008, we’re doing them again! Come explore the grounds of Montpelier, play games, do a craft, dress up in old-fashioned clothes, and take a tour. 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.
FREE! No reservations required
Saturday, July 18
Hands-On History Day: A Day in the Life of a Soldier
Re-enactors of the American revolution will show you what it was like to be a soldier in the 18th century, from uniforms to equipment to the fife and drum corps.
Reservations recommended, 301-377-7817
\
Ages 5 and up
$7 per child
Friday, July 17, 3:00–7:00 pm
Exhibit Opening for Needleart 2009
Be one of the first to see our popular annual Needleart exhibit, and enjoy light refreshments.
$6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children
Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 26, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Needleart 2009
Montpelier hosts the 14th annual Needleart show. See the rooms of the mansion 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.
Sponsored by Stitching Pretty of Laurel
$6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children
Wednesdays, September 16, October 21 and November 18
Fall History Lecture Series
Just like the Spring Lecture Series, with enlightening talks, a relaxed atmosphere, and delicious refreshments.
FREE
Wednesday, September 16, 7:30 pm
Attitudes of Early Maryland Quakers
Historian Elizabeth Garrettson speaks on complex and often misunderstood attitudes that early Maryland Quakers had toward slavery, and how those attitudes changed over time.
Wednesday, October 21, 7:30 pm
Food of the Gods
Food historian Pat Reber speaks on everyone’s favorite topic: chocolate! Come hear how this most beloved of foods has been used throughout the centuries, from the ancient rulers of Mexico to the common chocolate shops in England. Samples will be provided! Reservations required.
Wednesday, November 18, 7:30 pm
Country Dances of the 18th and 19th Century
Chrystelle Bond, dance professor at Goucher College, will present a lecture on the country dances popular in Maryland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Members of Chorégraphie Antique, Goucher’s renowned dance history ensemble, will do demonstrations.
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 – 12:00 Noon
Hands-On History Day: Traditions and Lore of the Piscataway Indians
Members of the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians, dressed in traditional regalia, will demonstrate and teach native dances, tell stories, lead nature walks and teach crafts using natural materials.
Ages 5 and up
Reservations recommended, 301-377-7817
$7 per child
Sunday, November 1 – Monday, November 30, 11 am– 4 pm, Daily
What Is It? Exhibit
See Montpelier filled with all sorts of gizmos, gadgets, thingamajigs and whatchamacallits. Your job is to figure out, “what is it?” Parents and grandparents may see things they’ve long since forgotten. Or scratch their heads in puzzlement at something their kids know all about! And kids, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for ipods and laptops after seeing 8-track cassette players and typewriters! A fun journey of discovery for the whole family.
All ages welcome
FREE
Thursday, December 10 – Saturday, December 12, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Holiday Candlelight Tours
Warm up your winter even-ings with festive music, lovely candlelight and traditional holiday greens. Local garden clubs display their decorating skills throughout the house. Area performers entertain nightly. Light refreshments served.
$3 adults, $1 children ages 6 – 17 (5 and under Free)
Saturday, December 12, 10:00 – 12:00 Noon
Hands-On History Day
Topic to be announced. Please call for specifics.
Reservations required, 301-377-7817
$7 per child
2009 EVENT CALENDAR
  
Programs offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
Girl Scout Programs
For Brownies:
Listening to the Past Try -It
Manners Try-It
For Juniors:
Folk Art Badge
Architecture Badge
Toymakers Badge
All Badge and Try-It Programs are $7 per scout.
Girl Scout Etiquette Teas. A fun two-hour program that will teach the finer points of tea service, table manners and conversation. Includes tea and scones, party favors, and a tour of Montpelier.
Teas are $15 per scout. Reservations required. Please call Valerie Peacock at 301-498-8486 for more information or reservations.
Tea Classes at The Little Teapot Gift Shop
For information call 301-498-8486.
February 28, 2009, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Tea Tasting
Teas from India, China, Sri Lanka, and East Africa will be compared along with a group discussion
|
|
)
)
)
)
