Tag: African-American History

Holy Family Catholic Church (Mitchellville MD)

Holy Family Catholic Church |12010 Woodmore Road, Mitchellville, MD 20721 | 301-249-2266 | See website for hours and schedule of services | On the list of African American Heritage Sites in Prince George’s County.

20180512_154902880_iOSThis was a pleasant visit! The Holy Family Catholic Church ring all the bells for an African American Heritage site:

  • Plenty of free parking
  • Well-maintained grounds
  • Picturesque views
  • Positive history
  • Friendly staff

Rev. Joe Jenkins permitted me to take photos inside the church and shared historical tidbits while my camera snapped away. His face beamed as he talked about the current congregation at the church.

20180512_155822937_iOSThe church was built in 1890 to meet the needs of African American people in the area at the time. People traveled from over 100 miles when the church opened.

The church has a very diverse congregation today. Elder whites, African Americans, and Filipino Americans make up the largest segment according to the pastor.

20180512_154329485_iOSOne of the most interesting historical tidbits … a beautiful dark wood ceiling laid out like the planking on a ship in sections. The wood used to build the work of art came from a disassembled slave ship. I call that positive!

The church has an excellent website. Visit Holy Family Catholic Church.

Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!

 

Ridgley Methodist Episcopal Church in Photos (Landover MD)

Ridgley Methodist Episcopal Church & Cemetery | 8900 Central Ave., Landover, MD 20743 | 301-925-7599 | Visit by Appointment Only | Privately Owned | On the list of African American Heritage Sites in Prince George’s County.

 

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African American Heritage Sites in Prince George’s County MD – The List

20161228_165007570_iosIt’s funny how a small project for my blog has grown into a real journey. It started with the idea to visit every African-American Museum in the state of Maryland (MD). I spent time on Google and a few travel sites and collected a list of 14 museums and 1 point of interest. It’s a small list but I was only searching for museums.

My first visit from the list was the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center in North Brentwood, MD. I found a brochure on the information table at the center, “Maryland’s African-American Travel Guide” and thought … why not. I’ll expand my list to include all the places in the brochure.

20180325_173042692_iOSI visited Abraham Hall in Beltsville MD and learned about the Black History Program that operates there. The staff introduced me to two other heritage sites in the county they help manage (Ridgeley Rosenwald School and Dorsey Chapel).

My visit to the Ridgeley Rosenwald School in Capitol Heights, MD has expanded my list even more. I found another brochure, “African American Heritage Sites in Prince George’s County“. There are 17 sites and I’m adding 2 points of interest for the county.

Here’s the list:

  1. Abraham Hall (Beltsville MD)
  2. Belair Mansion (Bowie MD)
  3. Blacksox Park (Bowie MD)
  4. Cherry Hill Cemetery (Riverdale MD)
  5. Columbia Air Center (Upper Marlboro MD)
  6. Dorsey Chapel (Glenn Dale MD)
  7. Holy Family Catholic Church (Mitchellville MD)
  8. Mount Calvert Historical & Archaeological Park (Upper Marlboro MD)
  9. Northhampton Slave Quarters & Archaeological Park (Lake Arbor MD)
  10. Poplar Hill on His Lordship’s Kindness (Clinton MD)
  11. Queen’s Chapel United Methodist Church Site & Cemetery (Beltsville MD)
  12. Ridgley Methodist Episcopal Church & Cemetery (Landover MD)
  13. Ridgeley Rosenwald School (Capitol Heights MD)
  14. Riversdale House Museum (Riverdale Park MD)
  15. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (Laurel MD)
  16. St. Paul United Methodist Church (Oxon Hill MD)
  17. The Charles Duckett Log Cabin at the Patuxent Rural Life Museums (Upper Marlboro MD)
  18. The Black History Program at Abraham Hall (BHP@AH)
  19. African American Heritage Preservation Group of Prince George’s County

 

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Meeting Living History at the Ridgeley Rosenwald School (Capitol Heights MD)

20180422_184007078_iOSI visited the Ridgeley Rosenwald School in Capitol Heights, MD to work on a post for my blog. The school is an African-American heritage site in Prince George’s County. Its managed by the Black History Program at Abraham Hall (BHP@AH) and the Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

I had a wonderful time at the school! Mae Williams (a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) gave me a tour of the school. Her enthusiasm was equally matched by her extensive knowledge of the school’s history and renovation.

I also met a woman who actually attended the school as a child. She could point to herself in one of the old photos mounted on the school’s wall. It was a pleasure meeting you Shirley Taylor (Spriggs)!

Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!

 

Ridgeley Rosenwald School in Photos (Capitol Heights MD)

Ridgeley Rosenwald School | 8507 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 | 301-333-6560 | Visit by Appointment Only | Managed by the Black History Program at Abraham Hall (BHP@AH) and the Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

 

More coming soon. Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!