Riversdale House Museum

A National Historic Landmark and National Park Service Network to Freedom site, Riversdale was constructed between 1801-1807 for Henri Stier, a Flemish aristocrat who fled political turmoil in Europe. The home was later given to and completed by his daughter, Rosalie, and her husband, George Calvert. In the 1970s, the discovery of Rosalie Calvert's letters to her family in Europe, detailing the intimate events of life as well as the political, social, and economic issues of early Federal America, became the catalyst for restoration of the home. In 1991, these letters were translated, edited, and published as The Mistress of Riversdale.

Over the years, archival records, private records, and archaeology have added to the record of the site. The journal of Adam Francis Plummer, a man enslaved by the Calverts at Riversdale, was discovered in 2001 and provides a rare first-person account of the pre- and post-emancipation experience of an enslaved family. Additional family history continues with the writings of his daughter, Nellie Arnold Plummer, in Out of the Depths. The Plummers were just one of many families enslaved by the Calverts and at the time of George and Rosalie Stier Calvert’s marriage, 77 individuals were enslaved on their properties. In 2012, thousands of documents were loaned to Riversdale by Calvert family descendants, highlighting Charles Benedict Calvert's period of ownership from 1839-1864. The second son of George and Rosalie, Calvert was instrumental in the founding of the Maryland Agricultural College (now The University of Maryland College Park), US Department of Agriculture, and Prince George's County agricultural developments. Account books, letters, and receipts provide more information about the enslaved and free labor force and are currently being utilized to add to the narrative and interpretation at the site.

Today, Riversdale House Museum promotes a multivocal narrative reflective of its diverse experiences. The historic house, open hearth dependency kitchen, Visitor Center, and kitchen gardens provide guests the opportunity to engage, learn, volunteer, and explore with a variety of tour, program, and public event opportunities throughout the year.

The historic site includes seven acres of greenspace and interpretive signage, an historic kitchen garden and orchard, open hearth kitchen, and Visitor Center.

Riversdale House Museum is owned and operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation. The Riversdale Historical Society, a 501(c)3, supports the museum.

Exhibits

Riversdale House Museum will be hosting Echoes of the Enslaved in partnership with Joe McGill and The Slave Dwelling Project.

On Saturday, September 17, join us for a celebration, honoring the enslaved ancestors with a day of family history, wellness, and community engagement. All are welcome at this interactive event featuring archaeology excavations, music, food, and connection.
FREE; No registration required

Further details can be found here: https://www.pgparks.com/5149/Echoes-of-the-Enslaved.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.