"A trip to Oxon Hill Farm" by NPS/Anthony DeYoung , public domain
Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm
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Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Cove Farm is a national historic district that includes a living farm museum operated by the National Park Service, and located at Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, Maryland. It is part of National Capital Parks-East.
The park provides an excellent resource for environmental studies, wildlife observing, fishing, and other recreational activities made possible by easy access to the Potomac River. Fourteen buildings and two structures are located in the historic district and associated with the property's sequential development as a plantation, an institutional agricultural complex, and a farm museum.
Official Visitor Map of George Washington Memorial Parkway (MEMPKWY) in Virginia and District of Columbia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Official Visitor Map of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in Washington D.C., Maryland and West Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Official Brochure of Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm in Maryland. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxon_Cove_Park_and_Oxon_Hill_Farm
Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Cove Farm is a national historic district that includes a living farm museum operated by the National Park Service, and located at Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, Maryland. It is part of National Capital Parks-East.
The park provides an excellent resource for environmental studies, wildlife observing, fishing, and other recreational activities made possible by easy access to the Potomac River. Fourteen buildings and two structures are located in the historic district and associated with the property's sequential development as a plantation, an institutional agricultural complex, and a farm museum.
The diverse history of Maryland and our national heritage can be experienced at Oxon Cove Park. Through hands-on programs and other activities, you can experience farm life and how its changed over time. Explore how the park evolved from a plantation home during the War of 1812, to a hospital farm, to the park you can visit today.
While our mailing address is on Oxon Hill Road, the parking lot entrance to the park is on Bald Eagle Road. Bald Eagle Road can be accessed from the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95), as well as Indian Head Highway (MD-210) and Oxon Hill Road (MD-414). For detailed directions, please visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/oxhi/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Visitor Barn
The Visitor Barn at Oxon Hill Farm is the first stop you should make when visiting the park. Inside, you will find park brochures, Junior Ranger books, and a Park Ranger to answer all questions. The Visitor Barn also houses the park bookstore where you can purchase souvenirs and gifts for the family.
While our mailing address is on Oxon Hill Road, the parking lot entrance to the park is on Bald Eagle Road. Bald Eagle Road can be accessed from the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95), as well as Indian Head Highway (MD-210) and Oxon Hill Road (MD-414). For detailed directions, please visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/oxhi/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Cows
Two brown cows graze in a field
Two Jersey cows graze in their pasture
Farm Sunrise
Sunrise at the Farm
Sunrise at the Farm
Farrier
Farrier repairs horse hooves
Our farrier regularly maintains the hooves of the horses at Oxon Hill Farm.
Pigs
Young visitors meet the pigs.
Young visitors meet the pigs at Oxon Hill Farm.
Mount Welby
A white brick two story building
Mount Welby is the oldest structure on the farm, built around 1811
Oxon Cove Trail
A paved walkway along a wooded shoreline
The Oxon Cove trail takes hikers and bikers through forest and meadow ecosystems and along Oxon Cove
A History of Healing
Hidden from nearby highways and subdivisions by a screen of trees, Oxon Hill Farm is one of the few remaining agricultural landscapes in Prince George's County, Maryland. This place, where kids from the nearby city have encountered farm areas and learned how syrup is made, was also a witness to war and a landscape of healing. The house vibrated in the midst of the War of 1812, and later it was intended to be a place of calm for mentally ill patients and members of the poor.
A man in an overcoat stands on a porch of a two-story farmhouse with shutters.
American Eels in the Potomac Watershed
American eels are found everywhere along the Atlantic Coast, but many aspects of these fish remain poorly understood. They are perhaps one of the most mysterious fish in the Potomac watershed.
Hands hold a 2 to 3 foot long eel over a red container.
Summer in the Parks (1968-1976)
What began as a summer transportation program to send DC urban youth to Catoctin and Prince William Forest Parks in 1966 grew to a city-wide summer-long festival attracting residents to parks in every quadrant of the city. After the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the program took on an additional role to help save a city from destroying itself.
A group of boys smiles for the camera
Memorials for the Future
Memorials for the Future, is a competition that aims to rethink the way we develop and experience memorials in Washington, D.C.
Memorials for the Future Logo
National Park Getaway: Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm
Oxon Cove Park/Oxon Hill Farm is a peaceful 500-acre oasis within sight of our nation’s capital. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Oxon Hill, Maryland, the park offers opportunities for fishing and bird-watching, as well as miles of trails for hiking and biking.
a ranger kneeling next to a goat
Oxon Cove Park Cultural Landscape
Oxon Hill Farm is a 289-acre cultural landscape within Oxon Cove Park, located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Although the park is only about eight miles south of the United States Capitol, it retains much of its historic agrarian character. It is also associated with St. Elizabeths Hospital, the first federally operated mental health facility.
The central farm area contains a scattering of variously-sized structures, fencing, and a windmill.
Brood X Periodical Cicadas FAQ
Learn about the Brood X periodical cicadas that emerged in 2021 throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S.
A perched periodical cicada with red eyes and orange wings
Forest Regeneration 2020
What is the future of our forests? A look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on 2020 monitoring data.
hand holding a leaflet on a white ash seedling
National Capital PRISM and Invasive Species
Since invasive species don’t recognize park boundaries, we need to work together with our partners, neighbors, and other federal and state entities to manage across borders. We can’t do it alone!
a hand holds a rosette of green leaves over the water
Ten Tips for Visiting Oxon Cove Park
Planning a visit to Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm? Follow these ten tips for a fantastic farm day!
A brown and white cow in a field
Sea Level Rise in the DC Area
Learn about current and projected rates of sea level rise in the greater DC area, based on local water level data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A tall white cylinder attached to a wooden pier with Hains Point in the background.
Beech Trees in the National Capital Area
American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the most common tree species in National Capital Area parks, is currently facing the emerging threat of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD).
A forest with healthy green leafed beech trees
Forest Regeneration 2021
The latest look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on monitoring data from 2021.
Green forest showing healthy understory of oak seedlings.
Vines on Trees at Forest Edges
Learn how climbing vines affect tree growth and mortality in National Capital Region park forests. This material was originally presented in a 2016 resource brief.
Vines climb on trees at the forest edge at Rock Creek's Barnard Hill Park.
Forest Regeneration 2022
Tree seedlings and small saplings are still in short supply in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2022.
Sunlight filtering through a green forest with green seedlings covering most of the forest floor.
Seep Shrimp
Learn about the tiny creatures that live in our forest's seeps.
three researchers in high-vis yellow gear search for shrimp in a snowy forest
Forest Regeneration 2023
Tree seedlings and small saplings are slowly increasing in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2023.
Three people stand in a forest, smiling and pointing to a large tree trunk between them.
When Forests Come Down with a Bug: Forest Pests in the Greater DC Area
Beech leaf disease, emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, spongy moth, oak decline and oak wilt are all pests present in National Capital Region (NCR) park forests. Learn about their effects and spread based on NCR Inventory & Monitoring data, and get the heads up on elm zigzag sawfly and beech bark disease.
A black and red insect sits on a leaf.
Series: Amphibian Monitoring in the National Capital Region
Amphibians are a crucial part of both aquatic and land ecosystems, and National Capital Region parks are home to at least 20 different amphibian species. Learn how amphibian populations are changing based on more than fifteen years of NPS monitoring by the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network.
Northern red salamander on a patch of sun dappled moss
NCP East Amphibian Monitoring 2023
National Capital Parks - East is hopping! Learn what recent amphibian monitoring data shows us about amphibian populations in the park!
American toad (Bufo americanus)
Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System
To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.
Freedmen's Schools in Oxon Hill
Learn about schools for black children in Oxon Hill, Maryland after the Civil War.
historic illustration of black children reading in a schoolroom
Native Grapes
Seven species of grapes are native to the National Capital Region. Learn how to tell them apart, where they grow, and how they benefit birds, bugs, and beasts alike.
Multiple clusters of grapes hang off of a leafy vine.
Forest Regeneration 2024
Forest regeneration in the National Capital Region continues to slowly improve, especially in parks that manage their deer populations. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2024.
Forest with tall trees in the background and green saplings in the foreground
Oxon Hill Farm
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Oxon Cove Park
Maryland
Official Map and Guide
S
slow-baced but don't be footed, Oxon Hill
ometimes life on Oxon Hill Farm seems
Farm is a lively place.
relaxed, as if the world fvad returned to a
simpler t(me when afternoons are filled
You can watch) theactivities or, better yet, you
with exploring a field, reading under a tree, or
can join in. Let the fanners know t h a t you
sleeping in the tail grass. With the city ntpises
want to help, and, depending on the time of
in the distance, we often imagine that life on
day or the season, you may get a chance to
the farm is better than where we live now, with
feed the chickens, make apple cider, husk and
fewer worries and less stress. WM do farms
crack corn, wjork in the garden, gather fresh <
seem so special? Perhaps it is because they
eggs, or milk a cow. Why not leave city life
are closp to-nature and provide for our basic
behind for a day? Try your hand at farming
needs. Animals born on farms give us milk,
as it has been done at Oxon Hill for centuries.
eggs, and meat. Grains and vegetables grown
on farms; supply us with-ah abundance of
other foods. What do you see when you look
Since the 1600s the Oxon Hill area has attractaround? Perhaps you see sheep or horses nibed men and women who recognized its agribling at blades of grass, chickens takcultural potential. Estates
ing a dust bath, or cows chewing
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raised tobacco, catt,e
and chewing. It may appear
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> wheat, corn,
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and fruit as cash crops for nearby developing urban areas. Much of the
labor for these early plantations
was provided by slaves. Later
the area was divided into
smaller working farms. In
1891 the U.S. Government acquired the land
and established a farm
for St. Elizabeths •
Hospital. Patients
worked on the farm
for therapy and to
grow their own
food. In the mid1960s the farm
was entrusted to
the National Park
Service, and in 1967 Oxon Hill Farm welcomed its first visitors. The park
opened its gates not as a farm
museum or a petting zoo but
as a working farm that represented the time when
horsepower still came
directly from horses. The
success of Oxon Hill
Farm, as with all small
farms, reflects an
understanding of agriculture and animals,
W love of independence, and a willingness to work hard.
Sunlight, Soil, anc| Seasons
Every season at Oxon
Hill Farm demands its
own special activities.
Animals and plants do
not use human clocks,
but the length of daylight hours and natural
biological processes
spur them into action.
Early spring is the
time of birth, when
baby lambs, goats,
calves, pigs, and
chicks make a noisy
entrance into the
world. The increased
sunlight removes the
winter's chill from the
soil and signals the
spring planting season. During this busy
time of year the farmers have little time to
spare. They plow the
fields, plant crops,
and get ready for a
long growing season.
Raising successful
crops requires careful
attention to timing.
The clearly defined
seasons offer farmers
a narrow period when
seeds must be planted and the mature
plants harvested.
Cooperative weather
and long hours of
hard work ensure a
winter's supply of,
grains and hay for the
animals and vegetables for the farmers.
You can see real
horsepower in action
during these busy
seasons. In spring the
horses plow, disc,
and harrow the fields
for planting. At harvest time they haul
the crops to storage.
These working horses
on Oxon Hill Farm, as
all draft horses, are
different than horses
used for riding. Their
wide chests, broad
sloping shoulders,
slower metabolism,
and dense muscle
structure give them
the power to pull
equipment with ease.
The 2-horse team can
plow 2 acres or disc
10 acres per day.
"Come on down, we'll put you to work"
Why dream about helping on a f a r m ? C o m e , j o i n t h e f u n . Feel t h e s k i n of a c o w a n d t h e w a r m t h of her
fresh milk. Listen t o c h i c k e n s c l u c J ^ g j j p c L ^ t f a t s bleatjnjg. Smell t h e sweet aroma of horses apd hay/j
A Safe Farm Visit
"Horseshoes are not hats" is a strange expression but think
about it. A horseshoe is as large as a toddler's head, and a
kicking horse can hit with a force hard enough to break ribs
or crack a child's skull. Always supervise your children and be
cautious around farm animals. Hazards on a farm are different
from those in a city, but they can be just as painful and dangerous. To protect the farm and to help make your visit safe,
please observe these regulations.
¥ Animals can be
frightened if someone yells or pokes
at them. They may
defend themselves
by kicking, biting,
shoving with their
heads, or stepping
on you. Always
move slowly with
no loud noises.
Stay out of the animals' stalls and
pens. Never walk
behind or under a
hoofed animal.
¥ Do not feed the
animals. Keep your
hands away from
their mouths; they
may bite.
¥ Do not touch
any animal unless
one of the farmers