Bellefields

Bellefields is a brick mansion built with Georgian design principles, featuring two stories above a high basement and decorative construction details typical of that era. The facade displays Flemish bond brickwork with randomly placed glazed headers, while paired chimneys are positioned at the interior end walls.

The house was built around 1720 as the home of Scottish immigrant Patrick Sim and his son Colonel Joseph Sim, who became a patriot leader during colonial times. The property reflects the early settlement pattern of Scottish families establishing themselves in Maryland.

The symmetrical layout with a centered entrance reflects the residential design principles valued by Georgian-era colonists who drew from English architectural traditions. This balanced approach to the facade remains visible in how the windows and doors are arranged across the building.

The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and maintained through archival documentation by the Library of Congress. Detailed photographs and research materials about the structure are available to visitors and scholars interested in its design and history.

In 2021, three zebras unexpectedly escaped from the property and roamed the woods of Upper Marlboro for months, creating an unusual news story in the area. The incident led to investigation and raised questions about animal welfare.