Marietta (Glenn Dale, Maryland)

Marietta
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Nearest city:	5626 Bell Station Rd., Glenn Dale, Maryland
Coordinates:	38°57′56″N 76°47′57″W / 38.96556°N 76.79917°W / 38.96556; -76.79917Coordinates: 38°57′56″N 76°47′57″W / 38.96556°N 76.79917°W / 38.96556; -76.79917
Area:	24 acres (9.7 ha)
Built:	1812
Architectural style:	Federal
Governing body:	Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
NRHP Reference#:	94000729[1]
Added to NRHP:	July 25, 1994

Marietta, is a historic home located in Glenn Dale, Prince George's County, Maryland.

History

Marietta is a 2 ¹⁄₂-story brick Federal house, begun c. 1812, in a traditional I-house plan. It is an important example of a late Federal style brick house. The main block is five bays by two, and entrance is through the central bay of the south facade. Attached to the north of the main block at right angles is a two-story rear wing, built c. 1832, and attached to the west gable end is an L-shaped wing added in 1968. Marietta stands on terraced, landscaped grounds with two contemporary outbuildings: a brick law office and a stone and brick root cellar/harness storage room.

Marietta was built for Gabriel Duvall, one of Prince George's County's most outstanding citizens. Born in 1752, Duvall pursued a career of public service which lasted for more than 60 years. After serving in several positions during the American Revolutionary War, he served in the Maryland House of Delegates, the United States Congress, the Maryland Supreme Court, and as Comptroller of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson. Soon after 1812, when he was appointed by President James Madison to the U.S. Supreme Court, Duvall began construction of Marietta. Over the next 20 years he developed the 325-acre (1.32 km²) plantation, and constructed a substantial rear wing for added living space. He served on the Supreme Court until 1835; in January of that year he retired to spend the rest of his life at Marietta, where he died in 1844. Marietta remained the residence of his heirs until 1902.

Marietta House Museum

The site is operated as the Marietta House Museum of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. It also used to serve as the headquarters of the Prince George's County Historical Society. The house is operated as a historic house museum, and is furnished to reflect three generations of Duvalls from 1815 to 1902. The Museum has a Junior Docent Program, which allows students above the age of 12 to become interactive in the history of the home. Various Events hosted by the museum are only possible with the help of the docents.

It was announced in 2010 that the Prince George's County's Parks and Recreation Department was considering closing Marietta due to slippage in the number of visitors.^[2]

Gallery

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  Marietta House Museum in August of 2007

References

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ Historic Md. home in danger of closing - wtop.com

External links

• Marietta, Prince George's County, Inventory No.: PG:70-20, including photo in 1993, at Maryland Historical Trust website
• M-NCPPC Inventory of Historic Sites (Prince George's County); Marietta, entry 70-020, p. 75
• Marietta House Museum - Prince George's County Dept. of Park & Recreation
• Prince George's County Historical Society