News and Notes from Poplar Hill

Its been quite a while since this museum director posted to our blog. We’ve been busy getting ready to for restoration of our historic roof in the Spring of 2009.  The support of the public and our public officials made this possible and we are grateful for it. So, get ready for the scafolding to go up in the spring and stop by and check on the process.

I’ve also posted the first few events we’ve planned for 2009. Teas are always a great activity at the historic house and we look forward to serving you once again.

Although the museum is closed during January and February, look for new sections of our web site to go up. For Black History Month - Freedom is the theme and we will explore the history of the Joice family in greater detail. This will lead into the Ann Joice performance in March connecting African-American History and Women’s History Month together.

Our goal is the complete restoration of Poplar Hill on His Lordship’s Kindness and we hope you will join us as we push this effort forward in 2009.

Bianca Floyd, Museum Director

On Thursday, August 21st, Congressman Steny Hoyer will be attending a community Town Hall meeting at the Surrattsville High School in Clinton. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will focus on three main topics: Transportation, Federal leasing of buildings in Prince George’s County, and Education. As many of you know, Poplar Hill is located at the intersection of Woodyard and Rosaryville Road. Over the years there has been discussion about how to improve traffic conditions along these two main roadways. We’ll keep you posted on any news about Route 223 (Woodyard Road). Also, Congressman Hoyer sponsored our “Save America’s Treasures” grant. We’ll keep you posted on any news associated with preservation also.

If you’ve got time and you love history - we could use your help. Volunteering at Poplar Hill is fun! We need volunteers to help us with special events and giving tours of the historic house. Upcoming special events include our annual Murder Mystery, our Fall Tea and Holiday Tea, and Sunday tours. For more information, call the museum director at: 301-856-0358

Prince George’s County Public Schools begin the year on August 25th, 2008 and it ends on June 17th, 2009. In between those days, weeks, and months - there is plenty of time and opportunities to earn community service credits at Poplar Hill Historic House Museum. If you are a student in the 9th - 12th grade and need a few hours or more, there’s plenty to do here. We need assistance with such things as giving tours of the house on Sundays, assisting with special events, help cleaning the carriage museum, painting signs, and a host of other tasks. For more information on volunteer hours, you can call the museum director at: 301-856-0358 or send an email to: director@poplarhillonhlk.com

We’ve posted flyers for our 2008 Fall Fundraisers. Please check the events page on our web site for more information. We are really excited about the 2008 Annual Murder Mystery event. This is one of our most enjoyable activities of the year. It’s like playing the game “Clue” or feeling like you’re Sherlock Holmes or Inspector Poirot. Its a lot of fun and you are served a feast of sumptuous hor’ dourves and light wine. If you are looking for a nice evening out, this is one to consider.

Information our 2008 Annual Murder Mystery Event at Poplar Hill - Saturday, October 25th from 5pm to 9pm

We want you to be informed about activities, events, announcements - a “what’s happening” here at Poplar Hill Historic House Museum.  And we do have some great news. We received a $158,000 grant from the National Park Service “Save America’s Treasures” program and a $100,000 grant from the State of Maryland through a bond bill. We now have the funds we need to restore the historic roof.