 Rosaryville State Park and Mount Airy Mansion |
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Rosaryville State Park and Mount Airy Mansion |
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Rosaryville is a 982 acre day-use park and the location of the historic Mount Airy Mansion. Miles of trails for hiking, biking and equestrians are available for day use. To gain access to Rosaryville State Park, make a right turn into the entrance just south of Osborne Road while traveling south on U.S. 301.Two pavilions, each accommodating 200 guests, are available for rent. A bathroom is a short distance from the pavilion area. A $100 security deposit is required for all pavilion rentals. For pavilion reservations at Rosaryville State Park please call 301-856-9656.
RESERVING ROSARYVILLE STATE PARK
Pavilion Rentals - Available April through October, $200 per pavilion
Annual Pass - For year round use of Rosaryville State Park only, it is $50 per person. You may obtain the annual pass by calling 301-856-9656 or for more information, you may visit their web site at www.mountairymansion.org.
Reservations for all uses are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
TRAIL GUIDE
Check out a copy of the Rosaryville State Park Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the hiking, biking and equestrian trails, is available for sale at Cedarville State Forest headquarters.
ENTRANCE SERVICE CHARGE
Honor system chargeable at all times. Open year-round from sunrise to sunet. Full service use of the park and picnic pavilions is May through October, Friday through Sunday. Reduced service access to the park is available at all other times (gate is closed after the first parking lot).
- $3/vehicle; $4/vehicle out-of-state residents
- $10 per small bus
- $20 per school/charter bus
Rosaryville State Park
c/o Mount Airy Mansion
8714 Rosaryville Road
Upper Marlboro MD 20772
301-856-9656
MOUNT AIRY MANSION
Beautiful Mount Airy Mansion is located in the heart of Upper Marlboro's hunt country. Mount Airy is one of the oldest Calvert mansions in Maryland and is rich in history. The oldest section of the mansion is the restored remains of a hunting lodge built by Charles Calvert, the Third Lord Baltimore, when he came from England around 1660. The oldest section consisted of one 50 foot room with fireplaces on each end. A few years later the north and south wings were added to the original structure. Then during the 1750's the main section of the mansion was added to accommodate Benedict Swingate Calvert's family, making the stately building guests see today.
On February 4, 1774 George Washington attended his step-son's, John Park Custis, wedding to Eleanor Calvert. Washington had opposed the marriage due to their youth but finally gave in and joined the festivities in the Calvert room at Mount Airy. He later became a frequent visitor and is said to have given the Calverts the boxwood in front of the home.
During the late 1920's Mount Airy Mansion was run as a fashionable restaurant named The Dower House. In 1931, Cissy Patterson, the owner of the Washington Times-Herald, bought and restored the mansion. She also added the swimming pool, tennis court, guest cottages and a large green house to house her collection of orchids.
Miss Patterson entertained lavishly and her guests included the Franklin Delano Roosevelts, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Robert Considine, Author Adela St. John, and other well known people of the time. In spite of the fact that she had several other homes, one as close as Dupont Circle, she spent summers as well as frequent weekends at Mount Airy from 1931 until her death in the house in 1948.
The land at Mount Airy was later willed to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest and Park Service and named Rosaryville State Park in 1972.
For additional information on Mount Airy Mansion and its history, visit www.mountairymansion.org
RESERVING MOUNT AIRY MANSION
Parties, great and small, weddings, births, deaths and visits from seven Presidents have left their marks, leaving a wonderful feeling of expectancy to the lovely old home. Visitors can experience the history and atmosphere of Mount Airy. Your own celebrations and special memories will enrich and secure Mount Airy for the enjoyment of future generations.
Pineapple Alley Catering, Inc. is the manager and exclusive caterer for Mount Airy Mansion. For reservations, please call 301-856-9656.
MOUNT AIRY MANSION RENTAL RATES
Social Engagements (Eight hour usage, includes first floor, grounds and one changing suite):
- Monday-Thursday after 5 p.m. ($900)
- Fridays ($2,000)
- Saturdays ($3,200)
- Sundays ($2,500)
Location - In Upper Marlboro, located 10 minutes from the Beltway.
Mount Airy Mansion
8714 Rosaryville Road
Upper Marlboro MD 20772
301-856-9656
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Updated on March 19, 2007
