Hour - Open for tours
Fridays and Sundays
12 noon - 3:30 pm
other times by appointment.
Events 2010
Educational Programs
Kitchen Guild 2010 Events
Scout Programs
January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August / September / October / November / December
January
Twelfth Night Ball—Saturday, January 9, 2010. 7:30 p.m. Come in period attire or black tie to celebrate the traditional end of the holiday season at this Regency-style ball. $25; capacity is limited and advance registration is required by January 4.
Regency/Federal Dress in a Weekend—Friday-Sunday, January 22-24, 2010. Make a serviceable dress for living history events, from cutting to finishing, using a commercial pattern. Sessions are Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon. $50 resident*; $60 non-resident; advance payment required by January 15.
February
Hands-on History: Chef's Apprentice—Friday, February 12, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Riversdale continues the apprenticeship program for children ages 8 to 12 with the trade of the chef, preparing a meal from start to finish. $15 resident*; $18 non-resident; advance payment required by February 5.
Seasonal Selections: The Plummers' Kitchen—Sunday, February 21, Noon - 4 p.m. Adam Plummer was an enslaved worker at Riversdale from 1829 until 1864. His wife, Emily Saunders Plummer, was an enslaved cook at the Three Sisters Plantation in Lanham. After 1864, Plummer and his family lived at Riversdale where Adam was made foreman. By 1870, the Plummers had saved enough money to buy their own farm. Kitchen Guild volunteers will recreate some of the foods that were commonly eaten by African-Americans in the 19th century. Regular admission fees apply, includes tour of the house.
March
Quarterly Lecture: Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart—Tuesday, March 3, 2010, 7:30 p.m. This year, we are trying something new and featuring our scholarly lectures once each quarter. The year's first offering is Michelle Kretsch and Dr. Leigh Ryan on Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart. $5; students $2.50.
Federal Crafts Workshop—Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Participants learn the basics of confectionery, creating sweets to eat, or millinery, making fashionable accessories. Lunch is provided. $38 resident*, $45 non-resident; advance payment required by March 5.
Soup Du Jour—Sunday, March 21, 2010, Noon to 4:00 p.m. Join the Kitchen Guild at the hearth for an early spring cozy afternoon. With little fresh food available at this time of year, it would not be uncommon to eat lots of root-vegetable-laden soups and stews. Drop by and see what the Riversdale cooks stir up! Free; regular fee for house tours.
April
Tavern Night—Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of rousing entertainment by the Ship's Company Chanteymen and partake of tavern-style food and beverages. $20 resident*, $24 non-resident; advance payment required by April 2; must be at least 21 years of age.
Seasonal Selections: Green, Green—Sunday, April 18, 2010, Noon. The Riversdale Kitchen Guild prepares early young green plants from the garden. Free; regular fee for house tours.
The Art of Cookery Made Seasonal and Historic Spring Luncheon— Saturday, April 24, 2010, 1 p.m. Riversdale lays a bountiful table with the locally grown produce of the kitchen garden and orchard prepared using historic recipes. $30 resident*, $36 non-resident; capacity is limited and advance is payment required by April 16.
May
Mother's Day Tours—Sunday, May 9, 2010, 12:15 p.m. Bring your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or other special lady for a free guided tour of the house. Limited to one free tour with each paid admission.
Quarterly Lecture: New Perspectives on the Battle of Bladensburg—Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Donald Shomette. $5 per lecture; students, $2.50.
Seasonal Selections: From the Still Room and Dairy—Sunday, May 23, 2010, Noon. The Riversdale Kitchen Guild churns butter, distills herbal infusions, and more. Free; regular fee for house tours.
June
Rome at Riversdale—Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, 10:00 Saturday and Noon Sunday. Early 19th century America was greatly influenced by the classical world. Celebrate ancient Rome as you participate in activities and watch battle demonstration by Legion XX on the lawn and enjoy neoclassical pastimes inside the museum. $5; $3 students. Admission to grounds includes all activities.
Summer Jazz on the Lawn—Thursday, June 17. This FREE concert features Cheek to Cheek. In case of rain, we move inside. This concert is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
In a Jam: Putting Up Preserves & Jams—Sunday, June 20. Noon to 4:00 p.m. The strawberry patch in the Riversdale garden will be producing lots of strawberries that will need to be preserved. Watch Kitchen Guild members make jams, preserves or jellies out of strawberries and other seasonal fruit. FREE; Regular fee for house tours.
Hands-On History Week: The Artist's Apprentice—Paint and play your way into the past! European masterworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and more serve as the inspiration for activities including arts and crafts, games, and cooking.
WEEK 1: Monday June 28 - Friday July 2, 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Children ages 8-12
$36 non-resident, $144 for all 5 days
Advance payment required by June 21.
July
Hands-On History Week: The Artist's Apprentice
Tuesday-Friday, July 6-9 10:00 am-Noon
Children ages 5-8, paint and play your way into the past! European masterworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and more serve as the inspiration for activities including arts and crafts, games, and cooking.
$18 non-resident, $60 for all 4 days; advance payment required by June 28.
Seasonal Selections: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream—Sunday, July 11, Noon.
Thomas Jefferson and Dolley Madison both served ice cream at events in Federal-era Washington. The Kitchen Guild demonstrates how it was made then.
Free; regular fee for house tours.
Jazz on the Lawn July 15 at 7:00 p.m.
This FREE concert features the Western swing of the Oklahoma Twisters. In case of rain, we move inside. This concert is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
Seasonal Selections: Summer Bounty, Sunday, July 18, Noon.
The Kitchen Guild harvests an abundance of fresh vegetables, such as squash, eggplants, and peppers, from the garden and prepares an array of side dishes and preserves.
Free; regular fee for house tours.
Seasonal Selections: What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking Sunday, July 18, Noon.
Mrs. Fisher's cookbook, published in 1881, is the first to be written by an African American. The Kitchen Guild prepares a sampling of her recipes.
Free; regular fee for house tours.
August
Kitchen Guild: What Mrs. Fisher Knows about Old Southern Cooking August 1, 12 - 3:30 p.m.
15th Annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment Saturday, August 14, Noon. Bring the family to join British and American War of 1812 troops as they camp on the lawn to prepare for the battle. You could be recruited to join the American militia! There are children's activities and live music through the afternoon. The Riversdale Kitchen Guild sells period-inspired refreshments and demonstrates "Cooking for a Crowd" as part of the Seasonal Selections program.
Free; Regular fee for house tours.
Jazz on the Lawn Thursday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us for the last FREE concert of the season. Performers are Buck Hill Quartet. In case of rain, we move inside.
This concert is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
Quarterly Lecture Tuesday, August 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Author Anthony Pitch describes the aftermath of the Battle of Bladensburg with The Burning of Washington and the Birth of the Anthem. $5; students $2.50
Art of Cookery Saturday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Riversdale serves up a bountiful dinner buffet using historic recipes to prepare produce from our own kitchen garden and orchard.
$30 resident*, $36 non-resident; capacity is limited and advance payment required by August 20
September
Flanders in the Fall: Belgian-Style Beverages Friday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Mike Roy, the brewer for Franklin's Restaurant and Brewery in Hyattsville, talks about his craft with an emphasis on Belgian-style beers. Enjoy samples of his and other brews. For ages 21 and up.
$20 resident*, $24 non-resident; capacity is limited and advance payment required by September 3
Kitchen Guild: One Squash, Two Squash, Three Squash, Four, September 12, 12 - 3:30 p.m. The Kitchen Guild demonstrates a cornucopia of squash recipes.
Kitchen Guild: Simple Simon met a Pieman, September 19, 12 - 3:30 p.m. The Kitchen Guild harvests late fall vegetables and fruit and makes a selection of pies.
Flanders in the Fall: Karen Ashbrook and Paul Oorts in Concert Sunday, September 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Paul, a native of Flanders, joins his wife in a program featuring music of Flanders and France from and about the Napoleonic period on hammered dulcimer, wooden flute, accordion, and hommel. Concessions for sale before the concert.
Capacity is limited; advance payment suggested. $15
Flanders in the Fall: Maman, Papa et Moi, Friday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Maman or papa, bring your children ages 4 to 7 in their pajamas for an evening of Flemish fun with a story, snack, and craft.
$ 6/child and 1 adult resident*, $8/child and 1 adult non-resident, $5/each additional child, $2/each additional adult; advance payment required by September 17
Active Aging Week: The Traveling Naturalist, Thursday, September 23 at 10:00 a.m.
Greg Kearns presents a slideshow on the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park, for seniors ages 60 and better.
FREE; capacity is limited and advance reservations required by Sept.16
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day, Saturday, September 25 at Noon
Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media in which participating museums across the country open their doors for free to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket. Read more at http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/
October
Kitchen Guild: Riverdale Park Day: From Field to Forest, October 2, 12 - 3:30 p.m. The Kitchen Guild demonstrates open hearth cooking using native game.
Hands-on History Day: The Gardener's Apprentice, Friday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m.
Children ages 8 to 12 learn the craft of the gardener on this day off from school.
$15 resident*; $18 non-resident; advance payment required by October 8.
Kitchen Guild: The Sweet and Savory Apple, October 17, 12 - 3:30 p.m. See America's fruit used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Moonlight and Shadows Walk, Friday, October 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Walk the Riversdale grounds by the light of the full moon and see the mansion from new perspectives. Then enjoy live music with a cup of mulled cider around the fire. For ages 12 and up. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. $5
Kitchen Guild: Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater, October 31, 12 - 3:30 p.m. Help Peter keep his wife by learning new pumpkin recipes
November
Scout Day—Our Patriotic Past, Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m.
For children ages 5 and up, activities will fulfill requirements for the Brownie "Wave the Flag" Try-It, Junior "Local Lore" badge, and the Cadette and Senior "American Patriotism Interest" Project. Girls may register as individuals or by troop.
$10/child, $2/accompanying adult; advance payment required by Oct. 29
Kitchen Guild: Harvest Feast November 7, 12 - 3:30 p.m. The Kitchen Guild demonstrates a Bill of Fare for November demonstrating a menu of first and second courses, plus dessert.
Quarterly Lecture: Rubens and the Archeology of Myth, Tuesday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. Art historian Dr. Aneta Georgievska-Shine presents Rubens and the Archaeology of Myth. Copies of her book will be available for sale and signing. This lecture benefits the Riversdale Historical Society.
$5; students $2.50
Kitchen Guild: Preparing for Winter, November 21, 12 - 3:30 p.m. Late fall was slaughtering time, and the Kitchen Guild readies the larder by preparing sausages and mincemeat.
December
Breakfast with Sint Niklaas, Saturday, December 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Children and their parents eat a Belgian-inspired breakfast with Sint Niklaas, the Flemish forerunner of our modern Santa Claus, and children receive a gift bag.
$9 resident*-$11 non-resident/child; $5 resident*-$7 non-resident/adult; Capacity is limited and advance payment required by November 30. Sorry, we cannot accommodate walk-ins.
The Calverts by Candlelight, Wednesday, December 29 at 6:00 p.m. Pay an evening call on the Calverts and enjoy refreshments, live music, and children's activities.
$5/adult; FREE children 12 and under with adult.
*Resident fees apply to residents of Prince George's & Montgomery counties. Please note that popular programs where reservations are required may sell out prior to the registration deadline noted.
In a Pickle: Putting Up Vegetables, Sunday, August 23, 2009, Noon to 4:00 p.m. Carrots, cucumbers, beets, peppers, and summer squash will be harvested; those that are not eaten fresh will be pickled in vinegar, salt, and spices. Kitchen Guild volunteers will tackle this summer chore the early 19th century way!
FREE; Regular fee for house tours.
Jazz on the Portico August 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Bring your blanket or lawn chair and relax on the grass for these free summer concerts featuring some of the area's finest jazz musicians. Dinner is available for purchase before the show, or bring your own picnic basket. In case of rain, the concerts move inside. These concerts are supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of Maryland and the National Endowment for the Arts.
September
Health Nut: Sylvester Graham and the 19th Century Whole Foods Movement Sunday, September 20, 2009, Noon. Did you ever wonder where Graham crackers got their name? They are named after Sylvester Graham, who realized that white refined flour was not wholesome and healthy. Instead, he promoted cooking with flour made from the whole grain. Consequently, in the 19th century, Graham flour was synonymous with whole wheat flour.
FREE; Regular fee for house tours.
Hands-on History: Toymaker's Apprentice September 25, 10:00 a.m. We continue the Riversdale apprentice series with children ages 8-12 spending this day off from school making toys similar to those the Calvert children might have enjoyed. Participants bring their own bag lunch.
$15 resident, $18 non-resident; advance registration required by September 18.
October
Riverdale Park Day Saturday, October 3, 2009, Noon to 5:00 p.m. Join the town for this celebration on the grounds with music, tours of the museum, and more. A variety of food will be available for sale. Visit the Riversdale Historical Society's booth to buy bulbs for fall planting at Mr. Stier's Bulb Sale. And see the Kitchen Guild's "From Field and Forest: Native Game" open-hearth cooking demonstration and learn about the native game that was available locally in the early 19th century. Kitchen Guild members will present a variety of dishes using wild game and seasonal vegetables.
Admission to the grounds is free; $2 fee for house tours.
A Taste of Amontillado Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m. Adults ages 21 and over will enjoy macabre readings, including Poe's classic short story, "The Cask of Amontillado," accompanied by appropriate food and beverages suitable to the season.
$25 resident, $28 non-resident; Capacity is limited and advance registration is required by October 19. Sorry, we cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Hands-on History: Edgar Allan Poe's Apprentice Friday, October 30, 10:00 a.m. Children ages 10-14 spend the day off from school engaged in crafts and other activities inspired by the poet Edgar Allan Poe, who was born 200 years ago. Participants bring their own bag lunch.
$15 resident, $18 non-resident; advance registration required by October 23.
November
A Regency Ladies' Day in the Country November 14, 10:00 a.m. Fans of the early 19th century will choose from a variety of pastimes and amusements using herbs and flowers and enjoy lunch and late afternoon tea. Period costume is optional.
$50 resident, $60 non-resident; advance registration required by November 6.
Preparing for Winter: Sausages & Mincemeat Sunday, November 15, 2009, Noon - 4:00 p.m. Late fall was slaughtering time. Join the Kitchen Guild as they ready the larder for winter by turning pork into sausages and using suet to create mincemeat. Take home recipes that you can use to create your own mincemeat for holiday pies!
Free; regular fee for house tours.
December
Breakfast with St. Niklaas Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. Children and their parents will eat a Belgian-inspired breakfast with Sint Niklaas, the Flemish forerunner of our modern Santa Claus, and receive a gift bag.
$8 resident-$10 non-resident/child; $5 resident-$7 non-resident/adult; Capacity is limited and advance registration is required by November 30. Sorry, we cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Calverts by Candlelight Sunday, December 27, 6:00 p.m. Pay an evening call on the Calverts and enjoy refreshments, live music, and children's activities.
$5/adult; FREE children 12 & under.