Wilkins Estate facts for kids
The Wilkins Estate is a special old property located in Rockville, Maryland. It was built in 1916 by a man named Robert Crew Wilkins. He later became an important leader at the Wilkins Coffee Co.. This coffee company was started in 1923 in Washington, D.C., by John H. Wilkins, Sr., who was a relative of Robert. Later, Wilkins Coffee became part of Maxwell House coffee.
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The Wilkins Estate: A Historic Home
Robert Wilkins had this large estate built to be his summer home. Imagine having a huge house just for holidays!
A Famous Architect's Design
The main house on the estate was designed by a very well-known architect named John Russell Pope. He created it in the Classical Revival style. This means it looks like old Greek and Roman buildings, with grand columns and balanced shapes. Because of its design, the house is considered a historic site. The estate later became the property of Robert's brother, John Franklin Wilkins.
What Happened to the Estate?
The Wilkins family owned the estate until 1950. That year, it was sold to George Moss.
From Home to Park
In 1951, George Moss opened a place called Parklawn Memorial Park & Menorah Gardens on the property. This became a quiet resting place for many people. The Marlowe family bought a part of the property in 1958 and then owned it completely by 1986. Later, in 1992, a company called Stewart Enterprises bought the cemetery.
Today, the original mansion on the estate is used as the office for the cemetery. The grounds of the cemetery have grown over time and are now the resting place for about 5,000 people.
