PGParks History

08/31/2026

Update from the Paleontology Lab!

The paleontology team have been working hard preparing the bones collected from the Dinosaur Park Bone Bed this summer.

The latest specimen is the bone from near the end of the tail of a large sauropod dinosaur. Sauropod's were large long necked herbivores that adapted to either feed high from the tree tops or vacuum up plants from the ground.

This fossil from the lab was collected in 2023 and it can take many months or even years to clean a single bone.

08/30/2026

Join Darnall’s Chance for a new FREE virtual lecture on Thursday, September 10th at 7 PM. Hear author, Dr. Richard Bell, speak about the struggle to define a woman’s place in colonial politics, voting, and public leadership. Gain a new understanding of how women took on crucial roles in the decades leading up to the American Independence.

Sign up to get a reminder and Microsoft Teams link by emailing the museum at [email protected] or by calling 301-952-8010.

In the decade leading up to American independence, white women took on crucial roles in a series of boycotts, petitions, and protests that allowed them to assert themselves as political actors as never before.

08/29/2026

🍎 Educators! Getting ready for the 2026–27 school year?

Marietta Historic Site & Museum has engaging, inquiry based field trip opportunities built on the Maryland DoE Social Studies Standards and Frameworks.

Located in Glenn Dale, MD, Marietta is the historic home of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Gabriel Duvall and the enforced home of enslaved men, women, and children, including the Duckett, Butler, and Jackson families. We’re open for field trips Monday through Friday from 11am – 4pm.

Reach out to our Museum Educator for more information at 301-464-5291 or [email protected].

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please take a moment to fill out our Community Interest and Opinion Survey. Your feedback provides valuable insight as we plan for future parks, facilities, programs, and services.

08/28/2026

Prince George’s County residents played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, challenging segregation and advocating for equality in their own communities and beyond.

On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the March on Washington, calling attention to civil rights and economic inequalities.

Among them was Geneva Mays of Prince George’s County, who served as a field marshal. She personally heard Mahalia Jackson call out to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Tell them about the dream, Martin.”

Mays continued her service in Prince George’s County, becoming a pioneering civic leader and helping establish the county chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Today, we honor Geneva Mays and the many Prince Georgians who helped advance the fight for equality and justice.

Learn more about Prince George’s County history:
https://bit.ly/4qon0cZ

08/27/2026

🎉 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Riversdale!

Join us on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 11 am–2 pm for a fun-filled Hispanic Heritage Month Community Day with the Riversdale Kitchen Guild!

Step back in time as our historic cooks prepare seasonal fruits and vegetables over the open hearth using authentic 19th-century cooking techniques. Discover the flavors, traditions, and stories that connect us through hands-on history, cultural experiences, and interactive demonstrations for all ages.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking for a unique way to spend the day, there's something for everyone. Come celebrate community, culture, and history with us—we can't wait to welcome you!

Commemorate America 250 and discover the history in your own backyard at the Riversdale Historic Site & Museum!

08/26/2026

🍂🌻 Harvest Fest is coming to Riversdale! 🌻🍂

Bring the whole family to Riversdale Historic Site & Museum for a fun-filled fall day celebrating harvest, history, and the great outdoors!

🌱 Learn about seed saving with our Historic Site Gardener
📖 Enjoy a fun storytime
🔎 Take part in a Harvest Scavenger Hunt with prizes! 🏆

Perfect for families of all ages, Harvest Fest is a wonderful way to enjoy the season while discovering a little history along the way. 🍎🍁

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM–2 PM
📍 6005 48th Ave., Riverdale Park, MD 20737
🎟️ $5 per person

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/rhsm-festsandconcerts

Come celebrate the season with us! 🍂 We can’t wait to see you at Harvest Fest!

08/25/2026

Explore history in new and exciting ways! Visit the Sankofa Mobile Museum inside Historic Chelsea House and experience all that Chelsea has to offer.

Sankofa Open House

When: Saturday, October 3 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Historic Chelsea House (601 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro 20774)
Who: Open to all. Families encouraged

This event is FREE. Complimentary food and beverage while supplies last.

What to Expect:

• Visit the Sankofa Mobile Museum
• Shop at the Watkins Park Farmers Market at the Urban Farm Incubator
• Experience Historic Chelsea House
• Connect with community resources
• Participate in our oral history program by telling your story and becoming a part of a community archive
• Educational craft activities

For More Info:

https://mdpgparksweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=PST&FMID=537511008

08/21/2026

Darnall’s Chance has packed this summer full of history and fun. Visitors explored the 18th century urban dwelling, discovered the stories of women patriots, enjoyed music by local musicians, learned espionage skills used by General Washington’s spies, whipped up a batch of tasty colonial-inspired pickles, and so much more! But the fun and learning never stop. Get ready for Fall at Darnall’s Chance with our FREE Community Day celebration on Saturday, September 19th from 11 am – 2 pm.

Explore local stories, meet our community partners, and experience the people and places that make our county’s history so unique. Family activities include lawn games, colonial trivia, and ice cream station. Don’t forget to get your Pastport stamped or pick one up!

Commemorate America 250 and discover the history in your own backyard at Darnall’s Chance Historic Site & Museum!

08/20/2026

Did You Know?

The natural clay in Maryland has a unique and distinct color. If you have ever visited one of PG Parks’ Archaeology excavation sites, passed by an active construction site, or even dug in your own backyard, you’ve likely come across that famous Maryland red clay!

The clay in the Piedmont and Coastal Plains regions of Maryland gains its bright color from several factors: the bedrock is very high in iron, and as that bedrock weathers over thousands of years and interacts with oxygen and water, it oxidizes.

This chemical reaction turns the clay soil into that bright rust-red shade. Because iron is a heavier mineral, it stays behind as water washes out lighter minerals during the weathering process; this makes the iron concentration higher and deepens the color.

How neat is that!

08/19/2026

Last year, we had the honor of photographing more than 300 families at historic sites and community history events across Prince George's County. Many of you agreed to be part of "We Prince George's: Community Gallery," a portrait exhibition series celebrating the people who make our county vibrant, welcoming, and unique.

Beginning August 22, visit the galleries during our History Community Days. The exhibition will premiere at three historic sites throughout the county!

If you participated, come find your portrait. If you didn't, come discover the faces, stories, and connections that make Prince George's County feel like home 💚

"We Prince George's: Community Gallery" Exhibition Openings:
• Surratt Historic Site & Museum | August 22
• Montpelier Historic Site & Museum | August 29
• Marietta House Museum | September 26

Learn more about our FREE History Community Day series:
https://pgparks.com/event_list/history-community-day-series/2026-08-22