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  • Location:
    Meadowside Nature Center
    5100 Meadowside Lane
    (located in Rock Creek Regional Park)
    Rockville, Maryland 20855
    Directions and Map

  • Hours of Operation:
    Tuesday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
    Closed Sundays and Mondays
    Park and Trails open: sunrise to sunset

  • Contacts:
    Phone: 301-258-4030

» Back to: » Parks home » Nature Centers » Meadowside Nature Center » History / Background

History / Background

Pioneer Homestead

This historic site includes two log cabins, a smoke house, a corn crib, gardens and an orchard. The site is interpreted to reflect a small family farm after the Civil War.

Muncaster Mill Site

Also called "Miltons Mill", this grist mill was built in 1820, and burned to its foundation in 1935. It was the last mill on Rock Creek to close. A large dam about 0.5 miles upstream provided the water power. Three millstones ground corn for animal feed; wheat, barley and oats for coarsely ground grain; and buckwheat and wheat for fine flour. Today, only the ruins from the grist mill remain.

Valient Bridge

This covered bridge was built by students from Rockville High School and Montgomery County Student Trades foundation in memory of teacher and environmentalist Joan Valient.

Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden

Meadowside’s garden is filled with an array of native plants to attract local wildlife. Enjoy watching a butterfly or hummingbird sipping nectar from a flower or a bee buzzing flower to flower as it collects pollen and nectar to bring back to its home
NOTE: Open Tuesday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Lake Frank

Lake Frank, is a 54-acre reservoir named after Bernard Frank, a wilderness activist, environmentalist and a co-founder of The Wilderness Society. The lake is great place for viewing migratory birds, enjoying wildflowers, or fishing along the shoreline.
NOTE: Swimming, boating, and ice skating are prohibited.