Darnall's Chance House Museum050

Darnall's Chance House Museum is dedicated to the interpretation and study of the history and culture of 18th century Prince George's County, with special emphasis on the lives of mid-18th century women. The Museum seek to interpret the story of the widow Lettice Wardrop Thomson Sim, who lived at Darnall's Chance in the decades just prior to the American Revolution. The house and grounds reflect 1760, the year Lettice Wardrop's first husband died and a room by room inventory was taken of the contents of the house. Darnall's Chance also strives to accurately reflect the African-American community on the site, and town life in mid-18th century Upper Marlboro.

Museum tours highlight the similarities and differences between the Widow Wardrop's life and the lives of other 18th century women - gentry, middling, and enslaved. Tours are available by appointment (Tue-Thu 10am-4pm), or on a drop-in basis (Fri 10am-4pm & Sun 12n-4pm).

The Museum offers school field trips for grades four through six, plus a handful of family programs throughout the year. The most popular is the annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show, with divisions for both children and adults.