Smallwood State Park is a public recreation and historic preservation area located on Mattawoman Creek near Marbury, Charles County, Maryland. The state park preserves Smallwood's Retreat, the plantation home of former Continental Army officer and Governor of Maryland, Major General William Smallwood. The park's 984 acres (398 ha) include a marina, boat ramps, picnicking facilities, campsites, cabins, trails, and nature center.[2]
| Smallwood State Park | |
|---|---|
 Smallwood's Retreat | |
  Smallwood State Park Location in Maryland | |
| Location | Charles County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Marbury, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 38°33′23″N 77°11′07″W / 38.55639°N 77.18528°W |
| Area | 984 acres (398 ha)[1] |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.91 m) |
| Established | 1957 |
| Administered by | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Website | Official website  |
History
editAfter a succession of occupants left Smallwood's Retreat a "standing ruin", a group of local citizens organized the Smallwood Foundation to restore the historic house.[3] The house and ten surrounding acres were acquired in 1938. In 1957, the state began property acquisition for Smallwood State Park, purchasing 323 farmland acres from three owners. The park saw its formal dedication in 1958, when the Smallwood Foundation transferred the ten acres containing the restored Smallwood's Retreat to the state.[4]
Gallery
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Pre-restoration ruins -
Southeast facade -
Gen. Smallwood grave
References
edit- ^ "DNR Lands Acreage Report" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "Smallwood State Park". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
- ^ "Smallwood State Park History". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
- ^ K. Grandine; et al. (June 30, 2004). "Smallwood State Park" (PDF). Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form. Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
External links
edit
- Smallwood State Park Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Smallwood State Park Map Maryland Department of Natural Resources