Chronicling the progress of the restoration projects at Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale Park, Maryland.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Salon Restoration
Riversdale is also getting ready to restore the pilasters in the Mansion's Salon. Over the years, paint has become built up on the pilasters, hiding the finely detailed grape vine decoration.
Riversdale, a National Historic Landmark, was begun by Henri Joseph Stier, a Flemish aristocrat who fled from political turmoil in Europe. Construction of the stucco-covered brick mansion near the new Federal City, Washington, began in 1801. After Stier's return to Europe in 1803, he gave the house to his daughter, Rosalie, and son-in-law George Calvert, member of Maryland's founding family, who completed the house.
Rosalie Stier Calvert wrote to her family in Europe about the intimate events of life as well as the political, social and economic issues of early nineteenth-century America. In 1991, these letters were translated, edited and published as Mistress of Riversdale.
The Calverts' son, Charles Benedict, owned the property from 1839 to 1864. He was the principal founder of the Maryland Agricultural College, known today as the University of Maryland, College Park.
The Riversdale House Museum offers a glimpse into the early nineteenth-century life of both the owners of the estate and the servants and slaves who worked there.
Riversdale is owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County, Natural & Historical Resources Division. The Riversdale Historical Society, a volunteer organization, works with the division to preserve cultural heritage and maintain the mansion as a historic house.
LOCATION: 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park, Maryland 20737
OFFICE/ VISITOR CENTER HOURS: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
TOURS: Year round, Friday and Sunday, 12:15 - 3:15pm, Tours begin at the Visitor Center every half hour, and the last tour begins at 3:15pm
FEES: $3/ adults, $2/ seniors (age 60 and over) & groups of 10 or more, $1/ ages 5-18 & students with valid ID, FREE/ ages 4 & under
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