Montpelier Mansion, also known as the Snowden-Long House or New Birmingham, is a significant piece of Maryland’s history in Laurel. Built between 1781 and 1785 by Major Thomas Snowden and his wife, Anne Dorsey Ridgeley, this Georgian-style plantation house is architecturally significant and relevant to the complex history of the region. The mansion became a National Historic Landmark in 1970. The Snowdens, Dorseys and Ridgeleys were rich and powerful Maryland families, who, between them, owned tens of thousands of acres of land in Colonial Maryland.
Don’t confuse Montpelier in Laurel with James Madison’s Montpelier in Virginia.
Today, Montpelier Mansion remains a vital link to Maryland’s colonial past, offering visitors a chance to explore its well-preserved interiors, stroll through its gardens, and learn about the lives of those who once lived and worked on the estate. As a museum and cultural center, Montpelier keeps alive the stories of the Snowden family, the enslaved people who labored on the plantation and the prominent figures who visited its halls.
As you tour the rooms of the mansion, you learn the stories and names of those enslaved on the property by the Snowdens, as well as the Snowdens themselves. The summer house is dedicated to exhibits on the individuals the Snowdens enslaved. Among the exhibits are lists of “inventories” of enslaved individuals from the wills of Thomas and Nicholas (Thomas’ son), who died almost 30 years apart. Thomas enslaved 141 – 169 individuals. Whether working at one of Thomas’ iron forges along the Patuxent River, planting crops at Montpelier, or laboring as brick makers and carpenters building their mansion, the men, women and children the Snowden’s enslaved increased the wealth of the Snowden family. The exhibits also discuss local communities that consisted of formerly enslaved individuals that sprang up around Montpelier.
A Rich Historical Background
The Snowden family’s roots in America date back to Richard Snowden, who migrated from Birmingham, England, in 1658. Richard started his time in colonial Maryland as an indentured servant. The family’s prominence grew over the generations, particularly with Major Thomas Snowden, a participant in the American Revolution, who built Montpelier Mansion around 1783. The estate, originally a 9,000-acre slave plantation, reflects the Snowden family’s wealth and status during that era. The mansion remained in the Snowden family until 1890, passing through several generations, including Major Snowden’s son, Nicholas.
After leaving the Snowden family, Montpelier Mansion went through a series of owners, including New York-based investors and notable writers. The last private owner, Christine L. Willcox, daughter of Breckinridge Long—a U.S. Undersecretary of State under Franklin D. Roosevelt—donated the property to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in 1961. Following a state-funded renovation, the mansion opened to the public in 1985 and now serves as a cultural center and museum, hosting educational programs, tours and special events.
Over the years, many prominent historical figures visited Montpelier Mansion. Abigail Adams, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Washington, Martha Washington, and Woodrow Wilson among them. These connections underscore the mansion’s importance as a social and political hub in Maryland’s history.
Montpelier Mansion exemplifies Georgian architecture, characterized by its five-part structure, including a central block flanked by end pavilions. The mansion’s notable architectural features include large projecting chimneys, intricately carved woodwork, and a secret doorway hidden behind paneling in the drawing room, adding a touch of mystery to its refined design.
In the 1970s, formal gardens surrounded the mansion, with terraces outlined by boxwood hedges and a 200-year-old boxwood maze. While most of the boxwood hedges have since been removed, the 18th-century hexagonal summerhouse still stands, preserving a piece of the mansion’s original landscape design.
A Haunted Legacy?
Montpelier Mansion, like many historic sites, has its share of ghost stories and local legends. Some visitors and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, mysterious voices and cold spots. These tales, while not universally accepted, add an intriguing layer to the mansion’s already rich history. One frequent ghostly tale is of a Confederate soldier slowly climbing the steps of the mansion.
Visitors and staff have reported hearing unexplained footsteps or voices. These sounds are often attributed to the spirits of former residents or enslaved individuals who lived on the estate during its long history. There have also been accounts of sudden drops in temperature or “cold spots” within certain rooms of the mansion, a common phenomenon often associated with hauntings. Though less commonly reported, sightings of apparitions are fleeting. Most believe these are the spirits of the Snowden family or other individuals connected to the estate.
Given the mansion’s age and its history as a working plantation, it’s not surprising that stories of hauntings have developed over the years. The mansion was home to several generations of the Snowden family and others who worked on the estate, including enslaved individuals, which adds layers of history that might contribute to the ghost stories.
Whether you’re drawn by its architectural beauty, its historical significance or the ghostly legends that surround it, Montpelier Mansion offers a fascinating journey into America’s past.
Know Before You Go
There is ample parking available on site. Plan to spend at least an hour touring the mansion. Self-guided tours available year-round.
Getting there: 9650 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD
Hours: Grounds open daily, all year round. House open to tours Thursday – Monday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Website: Montpelier House Museum
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