Maryland Milestones

Anacostia Trails Heritage Area represents 84 square miles – with many ways of “entering” the region. Visitors and residents can find us by traveling the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or “the Metro”), Interstate 495 (the “beltway”), the Baltimore/ Washington Parkway, Interstate 95, or Route 1.  Because there are so many different ways of approaching the Heritage Area, there are nine designated “Connection Ports.” These sites represent the largest visitation sites or primary community connection points.  Starting in mid-2012, visitors can find out more about the Heritage Area at each site from our kiosks.

Additionally, in mid-2014, ATHA Inc. will open its permanent visitors port in Hyattsville at the Arcade building. Currently the office is located at 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD, 20781.  The center will include a permanent information exhibit about the Heritage Area and its four sub-regions – Laurel & Beltsville, the Park Towns, the Gateway District, and the Port Towns.  It will also include the primary offices, a small library, and a changing exhibit on Hyattsville.

Laurel Historical Society & Museum (Courtesy LHS)

Laurel & Beltsville

(1) The Laurel Museum and Laurel Historical Society – 817 Main Street, Laurel, MD – is housed in an 1840 mill worker’s house and highlights the history of the City of Laurel and the great cotton and textile factories of the early 19th century that were located there. Laurel was an industrial town whose wealth came from the mills and foundries rather than tobacco. The museum includes changing exhibits on the life and history of the community.  A walking tour is available and the old mill dam remains are accessible via the Waterfront Park walking trail behind the museum.

(2) Patuxent Research Refuge & National Wildlife Visitors Center - 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD - is dedicated to protecting wildlife diversity and habitats across the United States. The refuge, which covers 12,750 acres, is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior and is its largest environmental education center. The National Wildlife Visitor Center, on the grounds of the refuge, is designed to provide visitors with knowledge and appreciation of the role of wildlife research in preserving the earth’s vital resources. Interactive exhibits focus on global environmental issues, migratory bird routes, wildlife habitats, and endangered species recovery efforts. Surrounding forests, lakes and trails provide opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation, educational programs and tour groups.

Park Towns (Greenbelt, College Park, Berwyn Heights, University Park, Riverdale Park)

(3) The University of Maryland at College Park (& Turner Hall) is one of the most outstanding educational complexes of the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, as well as one of the nation’s best-equipped campuses. With over 30,000 students enrolled in 125 different areas of study, it is a major center of scholarly activity. The university has eight lending libraries and houses the National Trust for Historic Preservation Library Collection, an AT&T Computer Teaching Theater, Byrd Stadium, Cole Field House, Reckford Armory, Ritchie Coliseum, and many recreational facilities. The Maryland Room, now located in Hornbake Library, is a major center for the study of state and local history, containing a world-class special collection of historical Maryland literature and artifacts. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center plays host to a wide range of music, theater, and dance programs open to the public. The Visitors Center, located on Route 1 Southbound just past Paint Branch Parkway, sits next to the Dairy where University made ice cream is dished up.

(5) The Greenbelt Museum – 10 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD – includes an original International Style house near the town’s center restored and furnished with objects from the Great Depression and World War II. The streamlined furniture on display was designed and built to fit these homes by the Resettlement Administration’s Special Skills Division. The walls are hung with original architectural renderings and artwork of Greenbelt created by New Deal artists and architects. The museum also has an exhibition space in the Art Deco-style Greenbelt Community Center that contains changing exhibits. The Community Center’s outer wall features dramatic limestone friezes depicting the Preamble to the Constitution created by New Deal sculptress Lenore Thomas. Nearby is Greenbelt National Park which includes walking trails and camp sites.

Gateway District (Hyattsville, North Brentwood, Brentwood and Mount Rainier)

(7) Joe’s Movement Emporium – 3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier, MD – is the community performing arts center of World Arts Focus, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was launched in 1992. The mission is to promote participation and practice in dance, movement, and performing arts traditions from around the world while using the arts as a key tool to revitalize community. The facility offers space not only for artists to create, perform, and teach, but also for community members and visitors to experience the benefits of movement and dance.

Port Towns (Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Cottage City and Edmonston)

(8) Bladensburg Waterfront Park – 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD – is owned by M-NCPPC and is currently undergoing renovations (2012) to highlight the connection to the War of 1812 and the Battle of Bladensburg. The park is located at the site of the Port of Bladensburg, which was one of the busiest tobacco inspection ports on the eastern seaboard in the 18th century. The park has a visitor center and a riverfront promenade. A pedestrian bridge across the Anacostia River connects to the Anacostia Tributary Trail System.

(9) Publick Playhouse - 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, MD – was first opened as the Cheverly Theatre in 1947 and was designed by the architectural firm of John Eberson.  For many years the Cheverly, as it was known, was a neighborhood institution, the flagship of the Sidney Lust chain of movie houses.  It had ornate sky scenes in the ceiling, plush seating for more than 900, and air conditioning.  In 1975, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired the Cheverly and began a restoration of the former movie house.  It reopened as the Publick Playhouse thirty years to the day that the Cheverly had its first grand opening in 1947.  The theatre continues to serve as a venue for the performing arts, concerts, dance, theater and community events.