Guide to Prince George's County Historic Sites and Museums
Prince George's County hosts a network of museums, preserved homes, and small historic sites that offer year round educational programming about colonial life, aviation history, and local culture. This guide outlines key locations, practical visitor notes, and why preservation and access matter for residents, schools, and local policy.
Prince George's County maintains an array of historic properties and small museums that together document colonial settlement, agricultural life, Civil War era history, early 19th century estates, and more recent cultural developments. These sites serve as classrooms for school groups, destinations for family visits, and civic anchors for community memory and local tourism.
Top destinations include the College Park Aviation Museum in College Park, which focuses on the city of College Park's aviation history and offers exhibits and seasonal programming for families and school groups. In the Upper Marlboro area, Mount Calvert and nearby preserved dwellings and outdoor spaces provide tours and interpretive programming about colonial and 18th and 19th century life. In the Bladensburg area, Riversdale House Museum represents an early 19th century estate that hosts guided tours and educational offerings. County historic sites also stage periodic house tours and holiday programs in partnership with local historical societies and schools.
Practical visiting information is essential. Many sites require advance reservations for tours or operate on seasonal hours. Confirm hours, admission, accessibility and special programming on Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission listings and on individual museum pages before planning a visit. Advance planning matters for families, educators arranging field trips, and residents with mobility or scheduling constraints.
Preservation and public access carry policy implications for Prince George's County. Sustaining year round programming depends on stable funding, staff capacity, and coordination between county agencies, local historical societies and schools. Equitable access is a governance concern, since limited hours or reservation systems can create barriers for working families and seniors. County decision makers and municipal officials can support access by prioritizing funding, improving transportation links to sites, and ensuring consistent information about accessibility and admission.
Historic sites are civic assets that support local education, cultural tourism and community engagement. Verify hours and reservation requirements before you go, consider volunteering with local historical organizations, and raise access priorities at public budget and planning meetings to keep these resources open and relevant for all residents.
