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Thomas Stone National Historic Site Review – Maryland

Located in rural southern Maryland, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site offers a somewhat interesting journey into America’s Revolutionary War history and information on one of America’s lesser-known founding fathers. It’s one of those hidden gems that doesn’t get the same attention as larger, more famous sites, but it’s a must-see for history buffs and National Park site enthusiasts like myself. Is the Thomas Stone National Historic Site worth visiting? Well, let’s get into that, shall we?

Thomas Stone National Historic Site
This is the park entrance sign for Thomas Stone National Historical site. It’s definitely lacking.

First off, Where is the Thomas Stone National Historic Site?

The Thomas Stone National Historic Site is located in Southern Maryland, which is on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Washington DC, which makes it a good day trip from DC.

As you’re driving out here, once you get past the hustle of Washington DC, you’ll notice how quickly things become rural, and as you get close to the site, you almost feel like you’re driving around on private property. This NPS site is very tucked away from it all!

This is quite an off-the-beaten path thing to do when you’re in the DC area!

The 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house

Quick History of the Thomas Stone National Historic Site

I visited the Thomas Stone National Historic Site because I happened to already be in the area – I’m also local to do Washington DC, so getting out here wasn’t a huge deal. I’ll admit that I knew absolutely nothing of Thomas Stone or his significance and visited only because this is a National Park Service unit and I wanted to get my National Park Passport book stamped. In fact, I didn’t even know this place existed until I was zooming in on my Google Maps and came upon it.

In short, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site is about the life of Thomas Stone, a Maryland lawyer and politician who is one of the USA’s founding fathers – yes, he was one of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. While there’s nothing else about Mr. Stone that’s gonna make you jump out of your seat, his historical significance extends a bit beyond him signing a famous document. Representing Maryland in the Continental Congress, he was committed to independence and shaped early American political and legal institutions. In addition to his work with Congress, he was involved in Maryland politics, serving as a justice of the peace and was an advocate for the rights of colonists.

His home, also known as Haberdeventure, is the main focal point of this site. Back in the day, Thomas Stone’s estate housed about 25-35 people, including his family and, unfortunately, some enslaved individuals. Also on the property is a a small cemetery where Stone and his relatives are buried.

Graveyard at the 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house
Graveyard at the 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house
Graveyard at the 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house

Things to do at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site

The Thomas Stone National Historic site is quite small and let’s be real — there isn’t a whole lot to do here. But here’s what they’ve got:

The Historic Haberdeventure House

The main feature of the site is the Haberdeventure house, a mansion that dates back to the 18th century. Though the house has undergone modifications over the years, it has kept much of its original character. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the house, where exhibits detail Stone’s life and the historical context of his work. Inside, you’ll see preserved rooms showcasing what life was like during the Revolutionary War, from the grand furnishings to the more modest spaces of the Stone family’s personal life.

You cannot go inside the house without a tour. Tours are available on weekends only. Check the official site for updated times. Unfortunately, although I visited on a Saturday, I arrived in-between times for a tour.

RELATED: Visit more Maryland history by driving around to a bunch of covered bridges!

The 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house
The 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house

walking Paths around the grounds

So, they (the NPS) talk up the walking paths around here like you’re headed to Machu Picchu or something, but let’s be real: this is the Maryland countryside — it’s flat fields of tall grass.

Now, sure, I visited in October, so if there was some sort of amazing gardens or something, the plants definitely could’ve already died and went to seed. But I didn’t see any evidence of this. The surrounding land looked like a farmers field — there’s nothing wrong with that — because this was a working plantation at one point. Just don’t go into this expecting a stroll through a forested wonderland. You’re walking in a field. And it might be a little muddy. At least it was for me.

And as for an actual path, well, there wasn’t one to the house, at least (there are boardwalks in the woods). You are walking over beaten down grass, so expect mud, dirt, ticks, and maybe some scratches on your legs.

Thomas Stone National Historic Site - walking trails
Boardwalk is right behind the visitor center
Thomas Stone National Historic Site - house
The boardwalk ends and you have to walk through the field to get to the house

Visitor Center, Gift Shop and Exhibits

The visitor center at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site is small but informative, with exhibits on Thomas Stone’s life, his role in the American Revolution, and the importance of this site itself. The displays include artifacts that offer more information into the life of Thomas Stone. There is also a short movie that plays on a loop if you’re interested.

The gift shop in the visitor center offers your typical NPS merch. It’s small but it has the basics for anyone who collects NPS junk, like myself (so they have your magnets, pins, patches, postcards and the like.)

Thomas Stone National Historic Site visitor center - Port Tobacco Maryland
Thomas Stone National Historic Site visitor center

Ranger-Led Programs

In addition to the historic home tour, they do offer the Junior Ranger program. Otherwise, that’s about it.

And as I mentioned above, I didn’t take the tour as I arrived at the wrong time, but I was curious as to why there was hardly any information on the enslaved people who lived on the plantation. The ranger at the visitor center said that Stone enslaved men, women, and children, but not all of them lived or worked at his Haberdeventure home. Some of them did live at the home and likely slept up in the attic, while many others lived at Stone’s other properties.

The 18th century Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house
Thomas Stone National Historic Site main house

Practical Information

  • Location: The site is located in Port Tobacco, MD, about an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. It’s an easy day trip if you’re in the D.C. area and looking to explore more of Maryland history.
  • Admission: This site is entirely free
  • Hours and Admission: The Thomas Stone National Historic Site is a seasonal site. It is closed during the winter months. Typically, it is open mid-April through mid-December, daily. Check the NPS site for updated hours.
  • Dogs are allowed, leashed.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site is just okay. Unless you’re really into the American Revolution and US History in general, you’ll probably walk around, read some of the interpretive signs, shrug your shoulders and say, “Okay. Cool. I’ve seen enough, let’s go.” If you’re really into history though, you’ll love it — as with all NPS sites, this is really well-done. It just doesn’t personally interest me all that much.

It’s also really quiet – you’re never going to find a big crowd here like you would at other NPS sites. Again, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site is way out in the Maryland boonies and it’s not typically on the radar for your average Washington DC tourist.

This isn’t somewhere you’d want to base an entire trip around, but if you’re in the area and like National Park Unit sites, like I do, it’s worth a quick stop. And if it’s your first time in the DC area, I wouldn’t recommend doing a day trip here, as there are better ways to spend your time in DC, with more compelling sites to see.

thomas stone national historic site review
thomas stone national historic site review
thomas stone national historic site review

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