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National Colonial Farm

The National Colonial Farm, an outdoor living history museum, was established by the Accokeek Foundation in 1958. The farm depicts life for an ordinary tobacco planting family in Prince George's County in the 1770s. Historic sites like George Washington's home, Mount Vernon, represent what many believe life was like in the colonial period. However, large plantations were far from the norm. Very few colonists enjoyed such luxury. The majority were poorer planters, tenant farmers, indentured servants, and slaves.

Skilled interpreters lead tours of the National Colonial Farm, highlighting the colonial structures, fields, gardens and animals.

Mrs. Bolton walks toward Laurel Branch, the farmhouse.

Structures located within the colonial site are open to the public and include a circa 1770 farm dwelling, an 18th century tobacco barn, a smokehouse, and an out-kitchen. The kitchen garden features 18th century varieties of herbs, flowers, and vegetables. Historic varieties of field crops such as 'Orinoco' tobacco, 'Virginia Gourdseed' corn and 'Red May' wheat are cultivated on a seasonal basis and are the source for much of the farm's heirloom seed stock. The National Colonial Farm is a recognized leader in the field of historic plant preservation.

Weekend visitors to the National Colonial Farm may see sewing, cooking, spinning, dyeing, candlemaking, gardening, woodworking and colonial games. To find out which activities are happening during your visit, please call the Visitor Center.

The National Colonial Farm and Visitor Center are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm from mid-March through mid-December. From mid-December through mid-March, hours are 10am to 4pm on weekends only. Guided tours of the National Colonial Farm are offered at 1pm on weekends. Visitors may walk through the site on their own.

For more information, please call the Visitor Center at 301.283.2113 ext. 15.