Accokeek in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Potomac Heritage
The National Colonial Farm
— Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 14, 2020
Before you flows the great Potomac River, a 390 mile stretch of water, forests, fields and wetlands that tells the story of ten thousand years of human habitation. The river begins as a spring at the Fairfax Stone in West Virginia, evolves to a tidal river at Washington, D.C., and eventually expands to a body of water that is over ten miles wide as it empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
When Captain John Smith made his fateful voyage past this site in 1608, he saw Native American villages and stockade forts scattered along the shoreline. A century-and-a-half later, George Washington looked across the waterway to see the same unblemished landscape that one views from Mount Vernon today.
Millions now live and work along this corridor, building upon cultural traditions laid down over ten millennia. The story of the Potomac valley is the story of colonial estates and small farmers and waterman and urban dwellers. It is an expression of the American Experience.
Vast areas of wilderness and open space remain along the river. Countless historical sites have been preserved. It is one of the prime recreational resources of the region. The Accokeek Foundation works with many other organizations to preserve the river’s past, save environmental areas important to our quality of life today, and educated the public about how crucial this precious resource is to the future of our country.
Erected by Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1608.
Location. 38° 41.715′ N, 77° 3.989′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable. Marker is in Accokeek, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Bryan Point Road (Entrance to the Park). The marker is on the grounds of The National Colonial Farm. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Accokeek MD 20607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Hon. Frances Payne Bolton (a few steps from this marker); The National Colonial Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherished Homeland (within shouting distance of this marker); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (within shouting distance of this marker); Join the Adventure (within shouting distance of this marker); People Shaping the Land (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to the Visitor Center (about 300 feet away); Land Shaping People (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Accokeek.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 14, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on December 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on August 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.