Sunday, May 13, 2012
Drop by from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. and get one free tour per paid admission.
If you're looking for a way to celebrate mom this weekend beyond the classic brunch and flowers, why not take her for a tour of Riverdale Park's very own 200-year old estate? From 12:15 to 3:15 p.m., you can bring your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or other special lady to Riversdale House Museum and receive one free tour per paid admission. A national landmark, the Riversdale House was built in 1801 by a Flemish aristocrat, Henri Joseph Stier, who had fled from Europe. When Stier returned to Europe two years later, he gave the house to his daughter, Rosalie, and her husband, a member of Maryland's founding family, George Calvert, who completed construction of the house. For more information, visit the Riversdale House Museum website.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Drop by from 1 to 3 p.m. to collect eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny.
Today is Good Friday in most Christian denominations, widely considered the most solemn day on the liturgical calendar. But come Saturday, that seriousness will give way to celebration and bright colors as Riverdale Park holds its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of Riversdale Mansion (4811 Riverdale Rd.). The hunt is scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Children should bring their own baskets to collect as many eggs as possible. Making a special guest appearance: the Easter bunny. Be sure to drop by and say hello—the weather's expected to be sunny with a high of 61°. If you or your children can't make it Saturday afternoon, Hyattsville and Greenbelt are both hosting Easter egg hunts in the morning, and the big bunny himself will be…
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Though not a registered historical site, some artifacts on the site could be of interest to Riverdale Park and local historians.
From US Route 1 in Riverdale Park, the Caftiz property seems a wooded oasis, marked off by "no trespassing" signs and a tall, locked gate. Beyond the sign, things look a little different. The ground within is littered with old appliances, broken televisions, and refuse of all kinds. Brambles and thickets threaten to ensnare anyone willing to pass the signs threatening prosecution—not to mention concrete slabs from the post-war Calvert Homes project and the ruins of the 1860s McAlpine Mansion. It’s that mansion—once owned by descendants of the Calverts of Riversdale—that has sparked the interest of local historians, including Riversdale House Museum Director Edward Day and Prince George’s Heritage Vice Chair Mike Arnold. The Ice House A …
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The doll club showed off their work earlier this month.
Dolls and doll-making have been part of society and culture since the beginning of time. Historians have traced the use of dolls as toys to 100 AD. They have played a role in religious and magic rituals from their earliest days and reflect the status of a generation. Locally, their history is rich and deep, and the growing interest in them was celebrated recently with a tea party at the Riversdale House Museum. Hosted by the Riverdale Park Arts Council’s Doll Club, the Oct. 15 event brought together nearly a dozen Riverdale Park children who have been enjoying weekly doll-making classes, and nine members of the Dollology Club of Washington, DC, a chapter of the United Federation of Doll Clubs. In fact, the Dollology Club, which aims to …
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Last week, special guests got the chance to see the salon after an 18-month restoration.
A group of invitation-only guests and some local officials got the opportunity to see the newly-restored salon at Riversdale House Museum last week. The 80 guests, including Jan Matthysen, the ambassador from Belgium to the United States, and Wallace Loh, president of the University of Maryland, were among the first to see The Grand Salon in all its glory. “The restored Grand Salon now ranks among the most beautiful examples of neo-classical design in the mid-Atlantic area”, said Patrick Gossett, President of the Riversdale Historical Society. Work on the restoration, performed by nationally known artisans Matthew Mosca and Brandon Thompson, took over 18 months, and was funded by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (…
Monday, August 15, 2011
War of 1812 enthusiasts gathered at the Riversdale House Museum on Saturday to celebrate the Battle of Bladensburg.
Editor's Note: This story has been corrected. In a previous version of the post, we incorrectly used historical terminology. We also misidentified a group of reenactors in a photograph. A battle brewed in Riverdale Park Saturday. Brigades of men lined up shoulder-to-shoulder with guns mounted at their sides. Fire! A barrage of loud pops and musket smoke filled the air. The stench of saltpeter settled as the men began to reload. During the War of 1812, almost 200 years ago, this reenactment was a reality for the residents of Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas. On Saturday, the Riversdale House Museum along with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, celebrated this milestone at the 16th annual Battle of …
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Their annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment will mark the 200th anniversary of the war against the British.
To mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, towns across the nation are celebrating their war history. Aaron Marcavitch, Executive Director of Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, said the anniversaries of both wars could lead to nearly 250,000 tourists travelling to the region. In Riverdale and the surrounding area, their stake is the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812. Although the British defeated American troops which led them into Washington to burn the city, a few weeks later the momentum switched in the Americans favor in Baltimore and the Star-Spangled Banner was born. Tuesday night will mark the opening of this region's celebration with a raising of a flag in Colmar Manor at 6 p.m. …
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Riversdale House Museum
4811 Riverdale Rd, Riverdale, MD
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Thursday, July 21, 2011
Local band Brulee will be the featured group during Thursday's event.
It's going to be hot all day Thursday. However, you can still enjoy the summer weather without suffocating, Thursday night when the Riversdale House Museum will host Jazz on the Lawn. The event is free and begins at 7 p.m. Local band Brulee will be featured. Bring your own blanket, a picnic dinner (maybe from the Riverdale Park Farmers Market), some bug spray and even sunblock and head over to the lawn. The summer concerts are supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. The next event is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Nick
7:22 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
It looks like the artifact might have been lost to science. Sorry. more ›