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Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park

Woodlawn Manor

16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
General Information: 301-650-4373 |
Field Trips & Programs: 301-570-5722
Private Events: 301-299-5026 - reservations

Woodlawn Stone Barn Visitor Center | Programs | History

This Federal-era Manor House in Sandy Spring, MD contains richly restored furnishings along with a quiet bucolic setting. The Woodlawn Manor has five uniquely designed rooms that are perfect for small meetings or intimate social affairs. The manor sits on several acres of land that include a unique stone barn, four original outbuildings and several champion trees. The Sandy Spring area has strong historical ties to Underground Railroad activity and the Woodlawn Manor Barn is the future site for the Underground Railroad/Quaker Heritage Visitor Center.

Please give us your opinion on this projectWoodlawn Stone Barn Visitor Center Project

Montgomery Parks is currently working to convert the historic Woodlawn Stone Barn into a visitor center. For more information, visit the Woodlawn Stone Barn Visitor Center project web page. We need your input on the futureo of this project. Please review the project background information and then give us your opinion by taking our Online Survey. Once you complete the survey, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Programs

Underground Railroad Experience Trail Self-Guided & Guided Hikes

The Underground Railroad Experience Trai at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park commemorates the involvement of Montgomery County residents in the Underground Railroad and celebrates the Quaker heritage and traditions of Sandy Spring. Free guided hikes are held every Saturday through November 6 at 10:00am. Self-guided hikes are also available along the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Free. Download the Trail Map here. For more information, visit UndergroundRRExperience.org.

Woodlawn Living History Museum Field Trips and Programs

Woodlawn Manor Living History Museum offers a variety of education programs & hands-on history field trips keyed to curriculum (K-8) and environmental studies for groups of all ages. Woodlawn Manor Teas & Tours are also available by reservation. Please call Executive Director Donna Will at 301-570-5722 or email WoodlawnManorMuseum@comcast.net for more information.

History

One of Montgomery County’s most admired historic properties, the Woodlawn Manor was constructed in 1800 by either Richard Thomas or his son, Samuel Thomas, Jr. According to tradition, Samuel and his wife, Anna operated a Quaker boarding school at Woodlawn. Dr. William Palmer, the founder of the Montgomery Mutual Fire Insurance Company, purchased the estate in 1825.

The symmetrical front façade of the five-bay federal style house features Flemish bond brick and a fanlight transom over the central entrance. Palmer expanded the house with a kitchen wing, later his son, Benjamin Palmer, added the northwest wing in 1881.

In 1832, master stonemason Isaac Holland built an exceptional three-story stone bank barn with four large round-arched openings on the basement level. The property also includes a combination diary and smokehouse of stone, a log house and board and batten tenant house.

Grounds includes significant mature trees, include an Osage Orange with an 11-foot trunk circumference, 100-foot high American Linden tree and a 1999 County Champion Norway Spruce.

Last update: July 8, 2010