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.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
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); a different marker also named Riverdale School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Signs of War (about 300 feet away); Riverdale Park
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 3, 2021
2. Welcome to the Riversdale Garden Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Riverdale School (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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 283 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
