2006
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS CACHING THE FREE STATE!
2026

America Turns 250: Montpelier Mansion Virtual (1781)

The geocaches in this open series can have any theme imaginable--or no theme at all. I've chosen to use my first Virtual Reward to spotlight some local American history with ties to three George Washington and others.

Montpelier Mansion, sometimes known as the Snowden-Long House, New Birmingham, or simply Montpelier, is a five-part, Georgian style plantation house located south of Laurel, Maryland. It was most likely constructed between 1781 and 1785. Built by Major Thomas Snowden and his wife Anne, the house is now a National Historic Landmark operated as a house museum. Originally built as a plantation for agriculture and iron production. It encompassed about 9,000 acres which once included the City of Laurel. Now a 70-acre property and National Historic Landmark, Montpelier preserves the histories of the people who lived here, including the Indigenous and enslaved peoples. I hope you will visit to learn more about the site, and the daily life of the residents as they are reflected through the landscape, architecture, and stories of times passed at Monpelier.

Montpeilier is also one of only two 18th-century summer houses or “belvederes,” on its original foundations.

Notable Vistors:
George Washington - Stayed here at least twice (May and September 1787) on his way to and from Philadelphia as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Martha Washington - On the way to her husband's first presidential inauguration in 1789.

Abigail Adams - Sheltered here just after her husband's inauguration early in 1797. She was traveling from New England to join John Adams in Washington. She had been advised in Baltimore to stop at the Snowden's overnight on the last part of the journey. Staying at the homes of other gentry even if they were not acquainted with each other was common in Maryland and other Southern states. Being from New England this was not a practice Abigail Adams was comfortable with and was planning to push on to Washington.

I saw references on Wikipedia to Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt staying here, but speaking to the faciliy coordinator, there doesn't seem to be any good evidence for this.

Available Hours:

The grounds are available to explore any time, DAWN 'TIL DUSK.

The mansion is open for tours Thu-Sun from 10 am - 4 pm.

Per the website, picnics are encouraged!

Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed. Also, please pick up after them.

Requirements to claim this virtual cache:

Please answer the following questions to claim credit for this cache by sending a message to my profile. In addition, post a picture of yourself (or some personal item) with the main house in the background and include it in your log.

1. Summer House - What is the total number of rectangular window panes on all the windows plus the door of this structure?

2. Big Tree - Just to the southeast of the house is a very large tree. Find th identification tag. What are the 2 words on the 2nd line?

3. Front Gate - The front gate has a large decorated circle as its main design. How many decorated circles are surrounding the main design? (don't count the small, plain circles.)                   

4. Back Door - Find your way around to the back door. There are 2 plaques to the right of the door. What is the year on the bottom plaque?

5. Garden Sundial - Find the sundial within this garden. Locate South. What number (as shown) is fifth past S (opposite the toward N (going counter-clockwise)? And what 3 letters are directly toward the center from that number? Follow the longer line below the number that will lead you more inner circle with letters. That line will point you to 3 letters (mixed case).  

A piece of trvia for you. The vertical part of the sundail (shadow caster) is called the gnomon.

6. Photo - Please include a photo of yourself, signature item or other geocaching item with the main house in the background. Please don't include anything that would spoil any of the required answers.

Throughout 2026, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is commemorating America's 250th. Click the image below to learn about their "Pastport to History" program and how you can use your Pastport to travel through time and discover the real stories of the people who built and shaped Prince George’s County. At each museum you visit, explore exhibits, programs, and tours — all for FREE — and discover how the past connects to your present.

Virtual Rewards 5.0 - 2026-2027

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between February 3, 2026 and February 3, 2027. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 5.0 on the Geocaching Blog.