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Facts about (Rosaryville State Park, and Mount Airy Mansion):
Overview ofRosaryville State Park, and Mount Airy Mansion- Facts,Trivia,and Historical Information :
Rosaryville is a 982 acre day use park and the location of the Historic Mt. Airy Mansion Plantation. Mount Airy has lost much of its eighteenth and nineteenth century architectural integrity through extensive fire damage and subsequent reconstruction. Mount Airy is one of the oldest mansions in Maryland, and has a rich history. The original part of the house was built as a hunting lodge by Charles Calvert, the Third Lord of Baltimore, when he came from England around 1660. The dwelling then consisted of one 50 foot room with fireplaces on each end. During the 1750's, the main section of the mansion was added to accommodate Benedict Swingate Calvert's family, making the grand building visitors see today. On February 4, 1774 George Washington attended his stepson's, John Park Custis, wedding to Eleanor Calvert. Washington had opposed the marriage due to their youth but finally gave in and joined the festivities in the Calvert room of Mount Airy. He later became a frequent visitor and is said to have given the Calverts the boxwood in front of the home. Eleanor's picture can be seen in the Bowie-Smith room. Mount Airy has endured two major fires. The first in April 1752, and again in 1931. At the time of the first fire, the property belonged to Benedict Calvert and was rumored to be arson. The second fire was in 1931, when Mount Airy had been operating as a fashionable restaurant named Dower House. It was after this fire that Cissy Patterson, the owner of the Washington Times-Herald, bought and restored the mansion. She also added the swimming pool, tennis court, guest cottages and a large green house to house her collection of orchids. Miss Patterson entertained lavishly and her guests included Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Robert Considine, Author Adela St. John, and other well-known people of the time. In spite of the fact that she has several other homes, one as close as Dupont Circle, she spent summers as well as frequent weekends at Mount Airy from 1931 until her death in the house in 1948. The land at Mount Airy was later willed to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest and Park Service and named Rosaryville State Park in 1972.
Services,Activities,Amenities,Attractions in (Rosaryville State Park, and Mount Airy Mansion):
The main attraction of Rosaryville State Park is the historic mansion. Enjoying a children's playground, fishing opportunities are hiking are possible.
Contact Information:
Address:Rosaryville State Park, c/o Southern Maryland Recreational Complex, Cedarville State Forest, 10201 B
Phone No:301-888-1410
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