C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T SJa n u a r y – D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2

Darnall ’sChance

H O U S E M U S E U M

ARNALL’S CHANCE

was built in 1742 for

James Wardrop, a Scottish

immigrant who amassed a fortune as

a merchant and entrepreneur in the

bustling 18th century port-town of

Upper Marlborough, Maryland. In

1748, he married Lettice Lee, daugh-

ter of Phillip Lee, the progenitor of the

Maryland branch of the illustrious Lee

family of Virginia.

The Wardrops’ 15-room Georgian

mansion was the mainstay of a dwelling complex that included

eight brick outbuildings, a rare brick burial vault, ornamental and

vegetable gardens, an orchard and livestock. The household included

32 enslaved African Americans who worked in the house, outbuild-

ings and gardens, as well as at Mr. Wardrop’s store.

Following Wardrop’s death in 1760, Lettice Lee married

medical pioneer Dr. Adam Thomson and later Revolutionary War

patriot Colonel Joseph Sim. She died on April 3, 1776.

The house was remodeled in 1857, which produced such a

drastic change that the home’s 18th century heritage was forgotten.

In 1986, the history of the house was rediscovered; it was saved

from demolition and restored to its original appearance.

Museum tours highlight the similarities and differences be-

tween Lettice Lee’s life and the lives of other 18th century women.

In addition, the Museum offers special events, exhibits, and pro-

grams.

Lettice Lee, 1726-1776

D

Port

rait

of L

ettic

e Le

e on

loan

from

the

Virg

inia

Hist

oric

al S

ocie

ty, R

ichm

ond,

VA.

Celebrate the Bicentennialof the War of 1812Nearly thirty years after the American Revolution, the

United States once again declared war on Great Britain.

At the time it was called the Second War of Independ-

ence, though today we know it as the War of 1812. America de-

clared war on Great Britain for a number of reasons which included

trade restrictions, impressments of American sailors, and British oc-

cupation of North American territories. The war was fought prima-

rily on the Canadian-American border; however, in 1813 and 1814

campaigns were waged in the Gulf

Coast and in the Chesapeake Bay re-

gion. In August 1814, the British in-

vaded Washington, D.C. and burned

numerous government buildings in-

cluding the U.S. Capitol, the Library

of Congress, and

the White House.

Hodges’ Chance: Treason and the War of 1812Darnall’s Chance is one of over 300 historic sites in Maryland that

has a connection with the war. At the time, Darnall’s Chance was

owned by a wealthy Upper Marlboro merchant named John

Hodges—the only person known to be tried for treason during

the War of 1812! His tale is one of heroism, terror, ultimatums,

hostages, and harrowing midnight rides. There is no denying that

the events that led to his capture are dramatic and that his trial

was full of blazing rhetoric and conflict that influenced how

U.S. treason law is interpreted today.

As a part of Maryland’s Star-Spangled 200 celebration, Dar-

nall’s Chance will be featuring programs and special events high-

lighting our unique connection to the war and how it helped

shape a new nation. Be sure to check this calendar and future ones

for exciting War of 1812 programs and find out if Hodges was

guilty or innocent of treason!

British capture and burn the WhiteHouse, 1814.

Darnall ’s ChanceJanuary–December 2012 Calendar of EVENTS

FRIDAYS, MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1 & 3 PM

ENSLAVED WOMEN OF

DARNALL’S CHANCE TOURSJoin us for a tour that focuses on the AfricanAmerican women who lived at Darnall’sChance with a special emphasis on the Bentley Family of Upper Marlborough. Reservations not required. Tours begin promptly

at 1 and 3 pm —please arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour time. FREE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 2 PM

HIGHLAND TEACelebrate Darnall’s Chance’s Scottish heritageand partake in a cozy winter afternoon tea.Enjoy the tastes and sounds of Scotland. Capacity is limited; Reservations and advance payment required. Fee: Resident $20; Non-Resident $24

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 7–9 PM

COLONIAL TAVERN DINNERBe our guest as we recreate the atmos-phere and flavor of a mid-18th centurytavern dinner in Upper Marlborough.Enjoy colonial food and spirits. Followingdinner, listen to Ship’s Company sing seachanties and tavern songs of the period.Capacity is limited; Reservations and ad-vance payment required. Fee: Resident $35;Non-Resident $42

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 12 NOON–3 PM

MUSEUM OPEN HOUSECelebrate Prince George’s County’s316th birthday at Darnall’s ChanceHouse Museum! You are invited to takea self-guided tour of the museum. Children can participate in hands-oncraft activities, enjoy light refreshmentsand browse the gift shop for unique gifts at our open house sale! No reservations necessary. FREE

SATURDAY, MAY 5 11 AM–4 PM

PIRATE FESTAhoy, matey! Have ye ever dreamedwhat life on the high seas was like in the18th century? Why did sailors swab thedeck? Did they really walk the plank?Come to Pirate Fest and find out theseanswers and more. Featuring swash-

buckling reenactors, hands-on children’s activities, live music, concessionsstand, children’s pirate costume contest, a treasure hunt and more forwannabe pirates and landlubbers alike! Children’s program. No reservations necessary. Fee: $5/person

SUNDAY, MAY 13 12 NOON–4 PM

FREE MOTHER’S DAY TOURSComplimentary tours of the museum for mothers andgrandmothers when accompanied by a paying child orgrandchild. No reservations necessary. FREE

SATURDAY, MAY 26 8 AM–5 PM

WAR OF 1812: BRITISH INVASION OF PRINCE

GEORGE’S COUNTY BUS & BOAT TOURWar of 1812 scholar Dr. Ralph Eshelman will be our ride-along guide aswe travel via bus and boat (weather permitting) along the routes and waterways the British traveled through the county in August of 1814.Bus departs from and returns to Darnall’s Chance. Capacity is limited;Reservations and advance payment required. Fee: $65/person

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 12 NOON–4 PM

FREE FATHER’S DAY TOURSComplimentary tours of the museum for fathers andgrandfathers when accompanied by a paying child orgrandchild. No reservations necessary. FREE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 & FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 12 NOON–4 PM

JAMES WARDROP BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONHelp us celebrate James Wardrop’s 297th birthday! Free tours of thehouse will be offered on the hour. Enjoy ice cold lemonade and cupcakes.No reservations necessary. FREE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 1–3 PM

GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOPHave you wanted to enter our gingerbread house contest, but weren’t really sure how to make a gingerbread house? Darnall’s Chance is sponsoring a two-hour workshop to help you learn basic gingerbreadrecipes and techniques. Get helpful hints from a gingerbread pro! Capacity is limited; Reservations required by September 4th. Fee: $5/person

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 11 AM–2 PM

THE WEE SCOTTISH GAMESIn celebration of Darnall’s Chance’s Celtic roots, the museumis sponsoring a children’s version of Scotland’s famous high-land games. All lads and lasses 5–12 years of age are welcometo compete in games such as the wee caber toss, the stonethrow, tug of war, etc. Children will compete within their

own age bracket and ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rdplaces. All others will receive a participant ribbon. Face painting, story-telling, craft activities, highland dancers, and bagpipers will also be available. No reservations necessary. Fee: $5/person

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 8 AM–5 PM

WAR OF 1812: BRITISH INVASION OF PRINCE

GEORGE’S COUNTY BUS & BOAT TOURWar of 1812 scholar Dr. Ralph Eshelman will be our ride-along guide as we travel via bus and boat (weather permitting) along the routes andwaterways the British traveled through the County in August of 1814.Bus departs from and returns to Darnall’s Chance. Capacity is limited;Reservations and advance payment required. Fee: $65/person

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 7 PM

THE GREAT JACK O’ LANTERN

CAMPFIRECome see a dazzling display of hand-carved illuminated jack o’ lanterns! Bask in the warmthof a campfire, roast marshmallows, and listen to

haunted Halloween tales. Kids can win a prize on a hunt for glowing jacko’ lanterns, and everyone can enjoy popcorn, marshmallows, and hotcider. Rain date is Sunday, October 28 at 6 pm. No reservations required. Fee: $3/person (cash only)

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23–25 & THURSDAY–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 2 & THURSDAY–SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6–9 12–5 PM

13TH ANNUAL GINGERBREAD

HOUSE CONTEST AND SHOWFor a sweet treat, come and view an amazing display of edible gingerbread houses. No nib-bling allowed! Visitors will have the opportunityto vote in the Viewer’s Choice Award Competi-tion. No reservations necessary. Fee: $1/person

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 2 PM

HANSEL & GRETEL TEA PARTYVisit Darnall’s Chance when it is decorated like a gingerbread house to listen to the story of Hansel and Gretel and enjoy tea and dessert. Registration fee required for all attendees—children and adults.Capacity is limited; Reservations and advance payment required. Ages 5 & up. Fee: Resident $12; Non-Resident $15

DARNALL’S CHANCE HOUSE MUSEUM14800 Governor Oden Bowie DriveUpper Marlboro, MD 20772

DIRECTIONS: From the Capital Beltway (I-95), take Exit 11A, Pennsylvania Avenue,South (Route 4). Follow Route 4 seven miles and exit at Upper Marlboro. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Water Street. Go through the first light (Main Street). Pro-ceed past the County Administration Building (right) and School House Pond (left). Dar-nall’s Chance is the first driveway on the left after School House Pond.

Tours by appointment:Tuesday–Thursday, 10 am–4 pm

Walk-in tours welcome:Friday & Sunday, 12 noon– 4 pm

Tour Admission/Fees:Adults $3, Seniors $2, Children $1

Gift Shop Open:During Museum hours.

Information:301-952-8010; TTY 301-699-2544

The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.

Darnall’s Chance is owned and operated by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, De-partment of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Natural and Historical Resources Division. PPC-PR-NHRD 2/12