Smallwood was the home of General William Smallwood, a Revolutionary War officer who was the 4th Governor of Maryland. His house, called Smallwood's Retreat, has been restored and is open to visitors. Sweden Point Marina has 50 boat slips and excellent access for fishing on the Potomac River. Smallwood's Retreat plantation house is open free to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays from May until the end of September. Tours are conducted by costumed docents. Group tours are available upon request. For information about scheduling a group tour call 301-743-7613. Besides the restored house, the 628 acre park offers a marina, boat launching ramps, a picnic-camping area and nature trails. On occasion, there are craft demonstrations, military exhibitions and other special events. A park map is available from the park office. General Smallwood State Park was dedicated in September 1958, as a historic park. At the time, the park consisted of 30 acres of land which included the Retreat House and the grave site of General William Smallwood. Smallwood State Park takes its name from General William Smallwood, a native born Charles Countian. He was the highest ranked Marylander who served in the American Revolutionary War. During his term as the 4th Governor of Maryland, Maryland ratified the Federal Constitution. Smallwood reached the rank of major general for his service as a patriot leader during the Revolutionary War. He was elected Governor of Maryland in 1785, and later served in the Maryland Senate. The plantation house reflects Smallwood's lifestyle as a gentleman planter. Sweden Point Marina was not always known as Sweden Point. At one time it was referred to as Sweetman's Landing. The area that is referred to as Grinder's Wharf (which is only a few exposed pilings today) was built on a naturally deep water channel in the Mattawoman Creek. The Grinder family was one of the areas major brick manufacturers in the Chicamuxen area. They in turn used Grinders Wharf to ship their brick out to the wholesalers. In the mid 1800's the wharf was used by the Washington Steamship Lines on the Potomac. The steamers would pick up water on their journey south to the Chesapeake Bay. Smallwood State Park 2750 Sweden Point Road Marbury MD 20658 (301) 743-7613 Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/smallwood.html DIRECTIONS: Take Route 301 south to La Plata, to west on Route 225 to Route 224. At the light at Route 224 turn left (south). Park entrance is approximately 3 miles on the right. From Route 210 south towards Indian Head, take a left (east) on Route 225 to Route 224. At the light at Route 224 turn right (south). Park entrance is approximately 3 miles on the right. Back to Pathfinders Guide Potomac Heritage Partnership 1623 28th St., NW Washington, DC 20007 Phone: 202.333.4478 Fax: 202.333.6733 info@potomacheritage.org