Self Guided Tour

Artist rendition of Oxon Hill Farm buildings.

NPS

Take a walk, explore, and discover history through the ages at Oxon Hill Farm. While strolling the grounds of this national park site, you will get a chance to travel back in time over 200 years to discover for yourself how life on the farm has changed. Visit buildings, whether, refurbished or recent, that make up the cultural puzzle of those who have worked the land that we now know as Oxon Hill Farm.

 

Built from 1800-1830, brick structures were the prominent structures on the farm. Anchors of this self-contained community, the brick buildings were a sign of wealth to be handed down from generation to generation. The desire for stability, order, and permanence, as represented in these core buildings, helped drive the generation that wrote and ratified the Constitution.

 

1. White Farm House (1805)

The oldest structure in the park, was the Debutts family home and was known as Mount Welby. The family owned the property from 1805 until 1843. Over this period of time the residents of Mount Welby witnessed many events such as The Battle of Bladensburg, the buying and selling of people under the institution of slavery, and a plague that took the lives of several residents.

 

2. Root Cellar (1830)

Built partially underground, to keep its contents cool. Before refrigeration, root cellars stored starchy vegetables that could last over the winter months without spoiling.

 

3. Brick Stable (1820)

Provides a focus for the farm’s main outbuilding cluster. In 1832, the Debutts family owned one milk cow, one heifer, 4 yearling and, 2 mules. The stable was their shelter. Today the stable is sometimes used to shelter the draft horses when they are sick.

 

Godding Croft was the name given to the property under the ownership by Saint Elizabeths Hospital. Saint Elizabeths Hospital was established as, and still is, the only national public health service hospital solely concerned with the recovery of the mentally ill. Patients living and working at Godding Croft grew food products for the main institution while receiving therapeutic treatment in an agricultural setting. Saint Elizabeths Hospital bought the
property in 1891 and owned it for seventy years.

 

4. Pony Barn (1891)

May have once sheltered many horses and mules used for farming and transportation. Plows, buggies, and carts were pulled and powered by horses. The building is not used today, but plans are to rehabilitate the structure in the near future.

 

5. Feed Building (1891)

Was used to store the feed for the farm animals during the Godding Croft time period and continues to serve the same function today. The building was partly used as a corn crib. The open slats allows air to circulate around the corn that is drying in the crib. Across from this area, the tack (equipment used to harness the horses) is stored.

 

6. Hay Barn (1940)

Is a bit of a mystery, as no records contain reference to its use. However, one of the main objectives of the Godding Croft farm was to produce feed for the livestock on the three farms owned by Saint Elizabeths Hospital. After 1941, due to cutbacks and restructuring, Godding Croft was no longer self sufficient. Hay was acquired from outside sources to supplement supplies. Perhaps, the construction of the hay barn in 1940 correlates with this change in farm output.

 

7. Hexagonal Outbuilding (1900)

According to historian Dr. Stan Jorgensen, may have been used as a milk house. Designed to remain cool, a milk house is where milk could be handled, cooled and processed. The milk house was kept very clean while the milk sat in shallow pans for about ten hours until the cream rose to the surface. Once the cream had separated, it could be taken to the kitchen to be churned into butter, bottled, or made into cheese.

 

8. Silo (1940)

Was built to store food over winter time for the livestock. This particular silo is made of glazed tiles which was typical material used for constructing utilitarian structures during this period of time.

 

In 1967, the property opened as a National Park Service site as part of Oxon Cove Park. Since then, new structures have been added, and preservation of the historic buildings has been onging. In 2003, the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

9. Visitor Barn (1980)

Serves as the park visitor center and store. This is a great place to begin your visit.

 

10. Farm Museum Building (1970)

Houses historic farm tools, spinning wheel, corn sheller dating from 1890, and a historic John Deere tractor.

 

11. Windmill (1970)

Built to pump water into the farm’s duck pond.

 

12. The Story of Grain Building (1973)

Exhibits explain the importance of grain as a farm crop.

 

13. Restrooms (1988)

Public restrooms, open during regular operating hours.

 

14. Sorghum Syrup Shed (1980)

In the fall, this is where the sorghum plant is turned into syrup. The plant is cut, stripped, and then hand fed into the sweep driven grinder. The juice is then boiled down into syrup.

 

15. Dairy Barn (1980)

Where cattle find shelter from both heat and cold. This structure
replaces the original dairy barn from the Godding Croft era. A photograph of the original barn can be seen on outdoor exhibit across from the dairy barn.

 

16. Cow Stantion (1970)

Holds the cow while being milked.

 

17. Rabbit Shed (2002)

Built to provide shelter for the rabbits.

 

18. Tool Shed (1970)

Used to cover and store farm equipment and other tools.

 

19. Chicken Coop (1991)

Is the home to the chickens, and other fowl who may live here from time to time. Hens lay their eggs here in the nesting boxes.

 

20. Hog House (1998)

Shelter for the hogs.

 

21. Horse Barns (2002, 2006)

Another shelter for the Belgium draft team and donkey mule.

 

22. Goat shed (1980)

Home to the sheep and goats.