Page 22 - Prince Georges - 2021 Destination Guide

HISTORY

THE PAST
Prince George’s approximately 100 square Here are other notable Upper Marlboro, which
County has a long
and rich history. The area was originally
inhabited by the Piscataway Indian Nation, three branches of which still exist today. (If you’re interested in the lives and livelihood of the Native Americans of Prince George’s County, we recommend a visit to the American Indian Village
at Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro!)
The first colonists arrived in the 1600s, and the county was founded in 1696. To this day, many historic and heritage sites provide a window into the ensuing 325 years of history.
A great place to begin your exploration is the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (anacostiatrails. org). It encompasses
miles in northern Prince George’s County.
For guidance and background, make sure you stop at the Maryland Milestones Heritage Center (anacostiatrails. org/heritage-center) in Hyattsville, where exhibit spaces tell the story of the communities within the heritage area. The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area nonprofit has compiled a large number of themed driving and walking tours such as “Aviation Milestones,” “Prince George’s County in the Civil War,” and “Trail Blazing Stories
of African-American History.” Find a full list and download tour maps at anacostiatrails.org/ heritage-routes.
sites:
HISTORICAL PARKS The National Colonial
Farm (nps.gov/pisc/ planyourvisit/ncf.htm)
in Accokeek is a living museum that depicts a middle-class family farm on the eve of the American Revolution. The beautiful grounds surrounding
the farm adjoin the Potomac River, and offer stunning views of George Washington’s Mount Vernon residence across the water.
One of the most significant historical sites in Prince George’s is Mount Calvert Historical & Archaeological Park (pgparks.com/3007/ Mount-Calvert-Historical- and-Archaeologi) in
illuminates more than 8,000 years of human culture, ranging from
the original Piscataway inhabitants to a tobacco plantation from the 1800s. Want to go further back in history? Try the Dinosaur Park (pgparks.com/3259/ Dinosaur-Park) in Laurel, where fossils from the Cretaceous period are still being discovered today.
Fort Washington Park
(nps.gov/fowa/index.htm)
is home to the remnants of Fort Foote, which was built to defend the river approach to Washington, DC in the War of 1812.
For a look at the lives of the enslaved residents of Prince George’s County, pay a visit to Northampton Slave Quarters and
20 PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY DESTINATION GUIDE