Information
Landmark: Oxon Hill FarmCity: Prince Georges County
Country: USA Maryland
Continent: North America
Oxon Hill Farm, Prince Georges County, USA Maryland, North America
Overview
Oxon Hill Farm, tucked inside Oxon Cove Park in Maryland, is a working history farm and museum run by the National Park Service, where you might hear the creak of a wooden gate as you step inside, alternatively visitors get a rare chance to step into early 20th‑century farm life, where the scent of hay hangs in the air and history meets nature and local culture, all in a quiet spot beside the Potomac River.The farm’s story stretches back to the 19th century, when rows of cotton once swayed in the warm breeze across its fields, simultaneously later, it joined the St. Elizabeths Hospital grounds, where patients worked the soil and tended rows of vegetables as part of their therapy, as a result back in the 1960s, the National Park Service turned the property into a children’s animal farm, where kids could feed goats and wander dusty paths.Over time, it grew into a working living-history farm and a setting where visitors come to learn, in turn it works to keep agricultural traditions alive, show how historic farming was done-like the creak of a hand-cranked butter churn-and help visitors feel rooted in Maryland’s rural heritage.Funny enough, Oxon Hill Farm runs as a working farm, where visitors can watch aged‑style farming in action-wooden plows turning murky soil, just as they did generations ago, as well as the farm keeps a lively mix of animals vital to traditional farming and country living, with over fifteen breeds of chickens-some with feathered feet scratching in the dust-preserving rare heritage poultry.For centuries, people kept goats for their milk and to strip brush down to bare earth, as well as cattle breeds that harken back to early 20th-century farms, with their sturdy frames and weathered hides, slightly Before machines took over the fields, horses and mules pulled plows through shadowy, freshly turned soil, therefore heritage breed pigs carry the genetics of traditional livestock, the kind once rooted in tiny farmyards and muddy pastures.Each day, the farm team runs hands‑on activities-feeding sessions where goats nuzzle for grain, animal care demos, and guided tours, consequently families, school groups, and other visitors can roll up their sleeves for hands-on activities-feeding goats, turning soil-and pick up practical lessons about animal care, daily farm work, and the shifting seasons of rural life.Actually, Oxon Cove Park wraps around Oxon Hill Farm, offering quiet woodlands, open meadows, and wetlands where reeds sway in the breeze, while the park teems with wildlife, especially vibrant flocks of birds, drawing birdwatchers and nature lovers eager to catch a flash of wings in the trees.Researchers have recorded over 210 bird species in the park, from the flash of a ruby-throated hummingbird to the soaring Bald Eagle-a proud emblem of the area’s conservation success, in addition eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows-grassland birds that thrive where open fields are kept wild and protected.Northern Harriers glide low over the grass, while Red-shouldered Hawks flash russet wings and Red-tailed Hawks circle high above-a striking trio of raptor diversity, likewise the park offers two main trails for visitors, including the Hiker-Biker Trail-a smooth, two-mile stretch of pavement perfect for a morning jog, a leisurely trek, or a bike ride with the wind in your face.The trail winds along the Potomac, opening to sweeping river views and leading you down to the cove’s rippling water, equally important woodlot Trail is a short, half‑mile path with a natural surface that winds beneath tall oaks and maples in the upland forest.Along this trail, you can spot dazzling warblers, identify wildflowers by touch and scent, and pause to simply watch the woods breathe, along with you can fish at Oxon Cove Park if you’ve got a valid Maryland license, whether you’re casting from the quiet shoreline or watching the ripples spread across the water.The cove’s a favorite spot for crappie fishing, with the silvery fish biting most days, and now and then, someone hauls in a hefty catfish, furthermore the park encourages responsible fishing, like catch-and-release, so the lakes stay alive with darting trout and healthy plant life.Pack a basket and find a shady table-picnic spots are tucked all over the park, offering quiet places to nibble while listening to leaves rustle in the breeze, along with at Oxon Hill Farm, visitors can dive into hands-on programs that bring farming traditions to life, explore the rhythms of local ecology, and uncover stories woven into the area’s cultural history.The programs feature guided farm tours that showcase historic agricultural methods and give a glimpse into the rhythms of daily farm life, from the creak of antique barn doors to the smell of fresh hay, to boot junior Ranger programs invite kids to explore, learn by doing, and care for the outdoors-maybe even spotting a red-tailed hawk overhead.Seasonal events that celebrate planting, the bustle of harvest, and the warmth of holiday traditions, on top of that the park offered nature walks and birdwatching tours, where you might spot a flash of blue as a jay darted through the trees.The farm works with local schools and community groups, giving students the chance to plant seeds in real soil while learning about farming and the environment, in addition you’ll find the visitor center at 6411 Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland, tucked inside Oxon Cove Park just a short roam from the shining lights of National Harbor.Hours: The farm and park open every day, usually from 9 a.m, in turn until 4:30 p.m, when the last sunlight slips behind the barn.Frankly, You’ll find parking right on site, just steps from the entrance, therefore you can get to the farm and its trails easily, but a few of the dirt paths dip and bump underfoot.It seems, Visitors can call the farm’s visitor center to get details or book a program-just listen for the timeworn brass bell in the background when they pick up, then oxon Hill Farm is a living slice of Maryland’s rural past, keeping it alive through a busy working farm and a hands-on history museum where you can still smell fresh hay in the barn.Visitors can step into immersive experiences that bring them face-to-face with age-ancient farming methods, meet the bleating sheep of history, and wander along the Potomac’s quiet, wind-touched shore, along with oxon Hill Farm offers families, students, and nature lovers a chance to dig into agricultural history, stroll shaded trails, and spot wildlife, all in a peaceful corner just outside Washington, D. C.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-06
