Formerly the nation's Capitol, the Maryland State House is the only state capitol building in the country with that distinction. It is also the oldest state capitol that has been used continuously for legislative purposes. The Maryland State House houses the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, house of delegates speaker and senate president year-round. In addition, each year from January to April, the general assembly meets in the Maryland State House for the legislative session, which lasts for 90 days.
A national landmark, the Riversdale House was built in 1801 by a Flemish aristocrat, Henri Joseph Stier, who had fled from Europe. When Stier returned to Europe two years later, he gave the house to his daughter, Rosalie, and her husband, a member of Maryland's founding family, George Calvert, who completed construction of the house.
It still stands today in the middle of Riverdale Park, and with the help of local volunteers and supporters, the grounds are maintained and renovations are made. There is a community garden on grounds that is open to the public daily, while there are also sponsored events on site.
The house is now a museum which is open to the public on weekend afternoons with an admissions fee. However, private group tours, consisting of 10 or more people, can be requested at anytime with two weeks advanced notice.
Samantha Ferris, spokeswoman for the museum, said that camps are arranged for area children, and that the museum works regularly with Riverdale Elementary School.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this historic 23-acre museum and park features history, archaeology and horticulture. The site is owned by Anne Arundel County and operated by the London Town Foundation. The historic area includes the 1760 William Brown House, ongoing archaeological digs and a spectacular woodland garden featuring native plants. The once-a-year plant sale and talk with master gardeners is a highlight for gardeners interested in native cultivars.
Before it was designated a national historic site, the Hampton Mansion was actually home to the prominent Ridgely family for 200 years. The Ridgelys once owned an area roughly equal to half the size of Baltimore City, and today a road in Lutherville and a middle school carry the family's name. When completed in 1790, the mansion was the largest house in America. Today, visitors can explore the massive Georgian manor house and surviving buildings, including a farmhouse, ice box and slave quarters.
