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The National Colonial Farm, an outdoor living history museum, was established by the Accokeek Foundation in 1958 to educate people about life on a middle-class tobacco farm of 1775. The site features period buildings, gardens and heritage animal breeds. Tours of the farm are led by interpreters who bring the farm's history to life. Weekend demonstrations of colonial life are also offered throughout most of the year.
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The National Colonial Farm is a middle-class farm and outdoor living history museum dating to 1775. While many historical museums focus on the lifestyles of prosperous farmers, it is equally important to understand how a typical family of the late colonial period would have lived. Skilled interpreters lead tours of the National Colonial Farm, highlighting the colonial structures, fields, gardens and animals. Structures located within the colonial site and open to the public include: a circa 1780 farm dwelling, an 18th century tobacco barn, smokehouse, necessary and out-kitchen. A public pier and riverside path provide visitors with scenic views along the edge of the Potomac River and a beautiful view of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.
Interpreters highlight the colonial structures, fields, gardens and animals, bringing the farm's history to life. The tours allow visitors to understand how a typical family of the late colonial period lived. The site features period buildings, gardens and heritage animal breeds.
An extensive garden features 18th century varieties of herbs, flowers, and vegetables, and is the source for much of the Farm's heirloom seed stock. Historic varieties of field crops such as Orinoco tobacco, Virginia Gourdseed corn and Red May wheat are cultivated on a seasonal basis. The National Colonial Farm is a recognized leader in the field of historic plant preservation.
The Museum Garden is an educational garden designed for learning about the crops of Maryland, and how these crops relate to both the natural environment and the people of many cultures. In this small garden, there are hundreds of different vegetables, herbs and even wild plants. Each of these "crops" has a long history in Maryland. Many were here long before recorded history, as wild plants or as crops that were cultivated by the Piscataway Indians and their ancestors. Some were garden plants brought here from cool areas of Europe and were treasured by the English settlers. Others originated in Africa and were known to African Americans who played a large part in the agricultural history of Maryland, first as slaves and then as farmers and farm laborers. The temperate climate in Maryland, with four distinct seasons, provides opportunities and limitations for gardeners as they make allowances to adjust to the climate.
The National Colonial Farm is open throughout the school year for pre-scheduled guided tours. For Visitor Center hours and Public Tour information please call (301) 283-2113.
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Potomac Heritage Partnership |
| 1623 28th St., NW |
Washington, DC 20007 |
| Phone: 202.333.4478 |
Fax: 202.333.6733 |
| info@potomacheritage.org |
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