MontgomeryParks.org

Woodlawn Manor

16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
General Information: 301-650-4373
Field Trips & Programs: 301-570-5722
Reservations: 301-299-5026

This Federal-era Manor House contains richly restored furnishings along with a quiet bucolic setting. The Woodlawn Manor has five uniquely designed rooms that are perfect for small meetings or intimate social affairs. The manor sits on several acres of land that include a unique stone barn, four original outbuildings and several champion trees. Because there’s a trail connected with the Underground Railroad that leads from the barn, the Woodlawn Manor Barn is the future site for the Underground Railroad/Quaker Visitor Center.

Woodlawn Living History Museum Field Trips and Programs

Woodlawn Manor Living History Museum offers a variety of education programs & hands-on history field trips keyed to curriculum (K-8) and environmental studies for groups of all ages. Woodlawn Manor Teas & Tours are also available by reservation. Please call Executive Director Donna Will at 301-570-5722 or email WoodlawnManorMuseum@comcast.net for more information.

Underground Railroad Experience Trail Self-Guided Hikes

Woodlawn Manor (16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860, 301-650-4373) Free. Trail map
This 2.0 mile trail is natural surface and includes interpretive sign markers keyed to the trail map that may be downloaded from this site. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.

The Underground Railroad Experience Trail commemorates the involvement of Montgomery County residents in the Underground Railroad and celebrates the Quaker heritage and traditions of Sandy Spring. For more information, visit www.UndergroundRRExperience.org.

History

One of Montgomery County’s most admired historic properties, the Woodlawn Manor was constructed in 1800 by either Richard Thomas or his son, Samuel Thomas, Jr. According to tradition, Samuel and his wife, Anna operated a Quaker boarding school at Woodlawn. Dr. William Palmer, the founder of the Montgomery Mutual Fire Insurance Company, purchased the estate in 1825.

The symmetrical front façade of the five-bay federal style house features Flemish bond brick and a fanlight transom over the central entrance. Palmer expanded the house with a kitchen wing, later his son, Benjamin Palmer, added the northwest wing in 1881.

In 1832, master stonemason Isaac Holland built an exceptional three-story stone bank barn with four large round-arched openings on the basement level. The property also includes a combination diary and smokehouse of stone, a log house and board and batten tenant house.

Grounds includes significant mature trees, include an Osage Orange with an 11-foot trunk circumference, 100-foot high American Linden tree and a 1999 County Champion Norway Spruce.

Date of last update: November 7, 2008