Riverdale Park's History Hits Bookstores

Arcadia Publishing released "Riverdale Park," Monday, a book about the extensive history of Riverdale Park, going back over two hundred years to the present day.

Written by Riverdale Park residents and Historic Association of Riverdale Park (HARP) members Don Lynch, Tom Alderson, and Melissa Avery, this book on Riverdale Park's history is the first of its kind, according to Avery. However, another book was written about Riverdale Park's history in 1996. "The Riverdale Story: Mansion to Municipality," was published by the Town of Riverdale.

"We knew there was a lot of history in the town that people don't know about," said HARP president and book co-author Avery.

She added that the neighboring towns of Hyattsville and College Park have books written about their histories, so HARP felt it was time Riverdale Park has its history written as well.

The authors begin the story with the geography of the land and move forward through time chronicling the towns many inhabitants, who include prominent politicians, a Nobel-prize winning poet, war heroes, and musical pioneers.  They also pay special attention to the trolley lines and railroad that help foster Riverdale Park's growth and economic development.

As of October 31, the book will be available for sale at Arcadia Publishing, Amazon.com, and on the Barnes & Noble website.

HARP also plans to have the book for sale at , Books-a-Million in Beltway Plaza, and at the Riversdale Mansion. They also hope to have it sold at , the Riverdale Park Farmer's Market, and the Riverdale Park Holiday Market. Plans are also in the works for book signings at , Riversdale Mansion, and .

"Riverdale Park" was one-and-a-half years in the making, and the authors said they are very excited about its release. 

"People only look at [Riversdale Mansion], and don't realize that the town around it has significant history," said Avery. "We're championing that history."