Join Darnall’s Chance as a guest of our Colonial Chocolate House. Participa
Darnall's Chance House Museum
14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD
Tel: (301) 952-8010
Email: darnallschance@pgparks.com
Hours:
Office : Monday–Friday, 10am – 4pm
Tours : Fri & Sun, 12 Noon & 2 pm
Tues-Thurs by appointment : 10am-3pm
<strong>Events & Programs</strong>
Upcoming Programs
Darnall’s Chance Community Day
Sunday, May 4 from 12 pm – 4 pm: Prince George’s County is an incredibly sp
History Community Day Series
Connect with the people, places, and past that make Prince George’s County
FREE Professional Portraits
Looking for stunning family photos or a standout LinkedIn headshot? Want pr
<strong>Visit</strong>
Come to Darnall’s Chance House Museum and travel back in time to the 18th century. Step inside and take a tour of Lettice Lee’s home to learn about what life was like for the colonial women who lived here. Discover how Darnall’s Chance keeps history alive through innovative, interactive, and engaging programs and special events. Darnall’s Chance House Museum is open year around and offers visitors a variety of things to do.
Admission & Tour Times
Admission:
- Adults: $5/person
- Seniors & Groups: $4/person
- Ages 5-18: $2/person
- Ages 4 & under: Free
- Groups of 10 or more must call ahead to make an appointment. Group discounts may apply.
Guided Tours:
- Tuesday – Thursday (by appointment only): 10 am – 3 pm (last tour 2:15 PM)
- Saturday: Special events
- Friday & Sunday: 12 pm and 2 pm
Guidelines:
- Photography is allowed in the museum.
- Food and drink are not permitted inside the museum.
- All children must have adult supervision while at the museum.
- Pets are not permitted inside the museum. Service animals are welcome with proper identification.
Accessibility
- Mobility-challenged visitors can visit the period rooms in Darnall’s Chance House Museum on the first floor only.
- Photos of all the other interpreted spaces are available upon request.
- An ADA ramp located on the side of the museum is available for visitors who cannot enter the museum from the front steps. Please call the museum when you arrive so a staff member can open this door.
- The first floor of the historic house is completely wheelchair accessible.
Features
- 18th century Georgian architecture
- 18th century underground brick burial vault
- Kitchen Garden
- Site is on the War of 1812 Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
- Site is on the National Underground Network to Freedom Trail
Gift Shop Hours
- Friday & Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm
- Call ahead of time during office hours for additional times (301)-952-8010
Stay in Touch
Stay in touch for the latest news on events, programs, and activities!
<strong>Educational Programs</strong>
Darnall’s Chance House Museum offers a variety of educational opportunities for both adult and child audiences.
Home School Programs
For more information or to schedule a program, please call 301-952-8010 or email darnallschance@pgparks.com.
School Programs and Resources
For more information or to schedule a program, please call 301-952-8010 or email darnallschance@pgparks.com.
Girl Scout Programs
Making Games Badge
Step back in time and experience life as a child in the 18th century. Learn how kids used their imaginations to create games and have fun. Participate in a scavenger hunt to find mystery items from the past. Make and take home a period toy that will entertain for hours. Fulfills requirements for the Brownie Journey Making Games Badge.
- Fees: $7 per scout
- 8 scouts minimum
- One FREE chaperone, additional chaperones are charged $2/person.
Playing Past the Badge
Explore 18th century Upper Marlborough as a thriving port town with ships navigating the Patuxent River and delivering goods to shops on Water Street. If you lived in this time, would you have been a butcher, a baker, or candlestick maker? Pick a trade, dress the part, and see if others can guess the role you play in this colonial town. Scouts will make and take home a tin punch ornament. A short tour of the Museum included. Fulfills requirements for Junior Journey Playing in the Past Badge.
- Fees: $7 per scout
- 8 scout minimum
- One FREE chaperone, additional chaperones are charged $2/person.
<strong>Gingerbread Contest & Show</strong>
2024 Gingerbread House Contest & Show Winners
2024 Viewer’s Choice Award Winners
Adult Winner
Christmas Lights the Way
Family Winner
Tiny Dancers’ Academy
Child Winner
Tangled Christmas
2024 Gingerbread House Committee Selected Winners
Adult Category Winners
1st Place
Meowy Christmas
2nd Place
Christmas Lights the Way
3rd Place
The Polar Express
Family Category Winners
1st Place
Tiny Dancers’ Academy
2nd Place
A Ghostbuster’s Christmas
3rd Place
A Snoopy Christmas
Child Category Winners
1st Place
Tangled Christmas
2nd Place
Little House in the Big Woods
3rd Place
Clark’s Fun Old Fashioned Family Fun
2024 Adult Entries
Adult Contestants: Renee Lakner, Diana Hugue, Patty Russell, Shaunah Cherry, Hailey Guit, Jamie Wiesner, Elizabeth Muldowney, Michelle Howell
2024 Child Entries (Ages 8-16)
Child Contestants: Ruari Hosman, Abigail Hugue, Maeve Hosman, Riley Vogelsang, Violet Stallings
2024 Family Entries
Family Contestants: The Johnson Family, The Black Family, The Hugue Family, The Barrow Family, Simler & Schaerfeld Family, Simler & Schaerfeld Family, Team Overton, Fitzmaurice, Monroe & Cable
2022 Gingerbread House Contest & Show Winners
2022 Viewer’s Choice Award Winners
Adult Winner
Hope for the Holidays
by Michelle Howell
Family Winner
St. Nick’s Sweet Retreat
by Nick’s Legacy
Child Winner
A Cozy Camper Christmas
by Renee Lakner
2022 Gingerbread House Committee Selected Winners
Adult Category Winners
1st Place
Hope for the Holidays
by Michelle Howell
2nd Place
Christmas “Shell”ebration
by Jamie Wiesner
3rd Place
Married Christmas
by Anita Guit
Family Category Winners
1st Place
Heat Miser & Cold Miser Argue about the Thermostat
by Muldowney Family
2nd Place
Lake Town Rebuilt
by McClain-Hosman Family
3rd Place
Christmas at Darnall’s Chance
by Arigo Family
Child Category Winners
1st Place
Coastal Christmas
by Violet Stallings
2nd Place
A Cozy Camper Christmas
by Renee Lakner
3rd Place
Christmas Cruise
by Wyatt Hopkins
<strong>Rentals</strong>
Darnall’s Chance House Museum offers a lighted patio tent that provides a beautiful setting for elegant parties, corporate functions, and other special events. The 30’ x 60’ tent seats 125 people comfortably and is large enough to accommodate a dance floor, buffet tables, bar and a band. The tent also comes equipped with sidewalls in the case of inclement weather.
View a sample layout of the Lighted Patio Rental Tent.
