Prince George’s is steeped in history. There are stories hidden in all its nooks and crannies, from how one of the region's most fertile lands became a functioning historical farm to the impact African American pilots had on the country. You can stop for a casual picnic at a historic site or dive deep into a lesson given by an on-site expert. Either way, you’re going to come away with a greater appreciation for the region and its contributions to America’s last 250 years.

 

Shine a spotlight on the region’s legacy by visiting one of these 10 spots:

 

  1. Visit the world’s oldest continuously operating airport. Founded in 1909 when Wilbur Wright came to instruct the first military aviators, the airport at the College Park Aviation Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can see unique aircraft, learn about the region’s impact on aviation innovation, and participate in hands-on activities related to this historic airfield. Pack a lunch to enjoy on the museum’s patio, and you might just spot some aircraft in the sky. Bonus adventure: Drive down to Upper Marlboro to find the location of the now-closed Columbia Air Center, the first African-American-owned and operated airfield in Maryland, perhaps the nation.

 

  1. Visit a well-preserved general store. The Coffren Store, built in the mid-19th century in Upper Marlboro, is a rare example of this type of historic merchandise store. This one-room shop, which also included a post office, was built for John W. Coffren, a wealthy merchant and tobacco planter. His 1861 Greek Revival home is nearby, just south of the store. The shop itself served rural customers until 1945.

 

  1. Walk through military history. Fort Washington was first built in 1809 to defend the Potomac River, but its captain evacuated the garrison and demolished the fort in 1814 when British troops invaded. It was eventually rebuilt in 1824 and upgraded throughout the following decades. It was used as a defensive fort in the Mexican War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. It was used as a ceremonial space and a training facility for Army officers. In 1946, the grounds were transferred, and now the space is open for history lessons, picnics, hikes, and more.

 

  1. Walk through a historic cemetery. The land of Fort Lincoln Cemetery has been farmland, military land, battery grounds, and a cemetery. It's thought that President Abraham Lincoln met in the spot to discuss army strategy, and it reinforced the protections of Fort Lincoln. While you’re there, look for the Old Spring House, dating back to 1683 — one of the oldest buildings still standing in the state. 

 

  1. Dive into a collection of artifacts. At the Laurel Historical Society and Museum, you can learn about the history of the town and its nearby community. This 2,590-square-foot brick-and-stone building is a former mill workers’ home. It was built in the early 1840s by the mill owners as a house for their employees, and it now contains hundreds of books, photographs, tools, personal items, textiles, and oral history records. Look out for special events to make your visit even more memorable.

 

  1. Stand on land that has been fruitful for centuries. Oxon Cove Park is on land that has given life to its residents for thousands of years. Native American people hunted for wild game and gathered plants on it. Family farmers cultivated it for crops. The government ran a therapeutic farm on it. Today, it is a functional farm home to a variety of farm animals, walking trails, community events, and more. Pet a goat, bring a picnic, and strap on your hiking shoes.

 

  1. Get in the sporting spirit. When you set foot in Blacksox Park, you’ll be walking on the same ground that held historic African-American sandlot baseball games. Two teams called this 70-acre park home: the Mitchellville Tigers and the Washington Blacksox. From the 1930s to the 1970s, the park hosted games between many local teams. Today you’ll still find baseball and softball fields surrounded by greenery.

 

  1. Learn about the local rails. If you’re interested in rail transportation and trains, the Bowie Railroad Museum is the spot for you. The station opened in 1872 after plans for a railroad from Baltimore to southern Maryland arose. A developer planned a city around that station with shops, hotels, and Victorian homes — and that town later became Bowie. Visit to see artifacts from when the train ran (it was closed in favor of a new station by Bowie State University), look out the windows of the railroad tower, and walk a self-guided tour.

 

  1. Get up close and personal with the region’s history. If you’re hoping to truly feel the past in Prince George’s, the Patuxent Rural Life Museums in Upper Marlboro might be your best bet. The site is home to the W. Henry Duvall Tool Museum; a blacksmith shop; the Tobacco Farming Museum; the Duckett Log Cabin with its privy, chicken coop, and meat house; a 1923 Sears catalog house; and the Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Museum.

 

  1. Stroll through an elegant estate. The Belair Mansion, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a peek into Bowie’s past — good and bad. Governor Sam Ogle and his wife, Anne Tasker Ogle, had the home built in 1745. It was used as a residence for 250 years and is now a museum open to the public. During your visit, you can see family heirlooms and 18th-century artwork along with rooms and relics that demonstrate the site’s history of slavery.

 

Want to learn more about Prince George’s history? Try these spots that highlight its historic African American community.