If you're looking for an activity that the entire family will enjoy, you should consider paying a visit to one of the many excellent museums in the New Carrollton, Maryland area. Whether you're interested in history, art, or science, you're sure to find a museum that you'll enjoy. Here are great museums near New Carrollton.
Riversdale House Museum
Constructed in the early 1800s, the
Riversdale house served as a home for many prominent Maryland women. Rosalie Stier Calvert owned many businesses in the early days of the town of Riverdale. Hattie Caraway, the first woman to serve a full term in the United States Senate, lived there in the 1930s.
When the land that the museum now stands on was a plantation, a slave named Adam Francis Plummer kept a diary about that dark period in the nation's history. You can learn about his life when you visit the museum as well. In addition to touring the main house, you can also explore the kitchen garden. The staff grows the same fruits and vegetables that were common in the 19th-century Riversdale community.
College Park Aviation Museum
The mission of the
College Park Aviation Museum is to preserve and promote aviation innovations, with an emphasis on the College Park Airport and Prince George's County. The College Park Airport, which houses the 27,000-square-foot museum, is the oldest continuously operating airport in the world.
The airport first opened in 1909 so that Wilbur Wright could train the nation's first military aviators. Replicas of the planes from that time period are on display at the museum, as well as more modern models. The museum also features hands-on children's activities. The outdoor balcony, which overlooks the College Park Airport Runway, is a popular spot for picnics, so be sure to bring a lunch when you visit.
National Gallery of Art
In 1936, the prominent financier Andrew W. Mellon offered to donate his impressive art collection to the American public, as well as fund the construction of a building to house it. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted his offer, the National Gallery of Art was born. The museum's collection has grown from the initial Mellon pieces to feature paintings and sculptures from some of the world's most prominent artists.
The permanent collections span a period of time from the Renaissance to the present day. The museum also hosts several exhibitions throughout the year featuring artists like Degas, Raphael, and Lynda Benglis. In addition to viewing these masterworks, you can also enjoy a stroll through the garden courts that feature stunning greenery and fountains.
Rock Creek Park Planetarium
At the Rock Creek Park Planetarium, knowledgeable guides will lead you on a journey through our solar system, galaxy, and regions far beyond. Thanks to state-of-the-art Spitz software, you'll feel like you're rocketing through outer space without ever having to leave your seat. The Planetarium also hosts stargazing sessions which allow you to view astronomical events as they happen.
As you can see, there are several fantastic museums in the New Carrollton area. Plan a visit today for a memorable family activity.