Bowieville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bowieville
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Bowieville, 1936 HABS photograph
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 522 Church Road South, Upper Marlboro, Maryland |
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| Built | 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002167 |
| Added to NRHP | March 14, 1973 |
Bowieville is a beautiful old house located near Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Maryland. It's a large, two-part house built with bricks and covered in a smooth finish called stucco. This home is a great example of the Federal style, which was popular in the early 1800s. It also shows some early signs of the Greek Revival style.
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Discovering Bowieville's History
Bowieville is considered one of the best examples of the Federal style in Prince George's County. You can see this style in its balanced design, the oval-shaped windows above the doors (called fanlights), and the three-part windows. It also has a curved porch at the back and other fancy details.
A Look at the Past
Bowieville shows how wealthy people became during the time when tobacco was a very important crop in Prince George's County. The house also highlights the importance of the Bowie family. At one point, Bowieville was home to 54 enslaved people, who were forced to work on the plantation.
The Bowie Family Connection
The Bowie family owned a lot of land in the county and were very important in local politics. Bowieville was built between 1819 and 1820 by Mary Wooton Bowie. She was the daughter of Robert Bowie, who was once the Governor of Maryland. Mary inherited the land from her father. Bowieville looks very similar to her father's home, Mattaponi, which was also made of brick and covered in stucco.
Changes Over Time
After Mary Bowie passed away in 1825, the plantation faced some legal problems. The house was eventually sold in 1846 to William J. Berry. He was one of the wealthiest planters (large farm owners) in the county at that time.
Bowieville was recognized for its historical importance and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
More Information
- Bowieville, Prince George's County, Inventory No.: PG:74A-18, including photograph in 1989, at Maryland Historical Trust web site
