Riverdale Park in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to the Riversdale Garden
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 3, 2021
1. Welcome to the Riverdsale Garden Marker
Many details about the history of the garden are not known, but it is clear that it was always an essential part of the Riversdale estate. We do know that Henri Stier, the first owner of Riversdale, planted thousands of tulip and hyacinth bulbs as the house was being constructed. After his daughter, Rosalie Stier Calvert, took ownership, her letters made frequent mention of plants and plans for the garden, including building a brick wall on its north and west sides in 1806.
Mrs. Calvert's son, Charles Benedict Calvert, inherited the property and commissioned a survye in 1853. The image on the right shows the boundary of the garden at that time.
Many enslaved and free workers cared for the land owned by the Stier and Calvert families. We also honor their labor as we maintain this small sample of what they cultivated.
[Caption:]
*Looking straight ahead from where you stand everything in view was once within the garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.
Location. 38° 57.627′ N, 76° 55.868′ W. Marker is in Riverdale Park, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Oliver Street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Betty's Garden (a few steps from this marker); The Riversdale Dependency (within shouting distance of this marker); This Demiculverin (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverdale School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Signs of War (about 300 feet away); Riverdale Park (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Riversdale (about 400 feet away); The Harry Smith House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverdale Park.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 3, 2021
2. Welcome to the Riversdale Garden Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
