Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm

Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm is an agricultural museum along the Potomac River landscape in Oxon Hill, where 19th-century buildings and farm animals are made accessible to visitors. The grounds include the Mount Welby house, several barns and livestock structures, which together illustrate what life on a working farm looked like.

The land was originally used by the Piscataway Nation and later operated as a tobacco plantation before becoming a therapeutic farm for St. Elizabeth's Hospital patients in 1891. This transformation marked a major shift in how the land was used, moving from indigenous settlement through commercial farming to institutional care purposes.

The farm demonstrates traditional cultivation methods and heritage livestock breeds that represent how people once lived and worked. Visitors can observe these practices firsthand and understand the daily routines that defined rural life in earlier times.

The park is well accessible through paved pathways and offers opportunities to observe farm animals and view exhibits during operating hours. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for outdoor conditions, as most of the experience takes place outside.

The Mount Welby house was built between 1807 and 1811 and displays a rare blend of Italian architectural features in this region. The use of these European style elements in an American farmhouse makes it a noteworthy example of how international trends influenced local building practices.

Location: Prince George's County

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Operator: National Park Service

Part of: National Capital Parks-East

Website: https://nps.gov/oxhi

GPS coordinates: 38.80460,-77.01180

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07