The Adelphi Mill is the only surviving historic mill in
Prince George's County, Maryland
)
, demonym = Prince Georgian
, ZIP codes = 20607–20774
, area codes = 240, 301
, founded date = April 23
, founded year = 1696
, named for = Prince George of Denmark
, leader_title = Executive
, leader_name = Angela D. Alsobrooks ( ...
. It is the oldest and largest mill in the
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
area.
History
The Adelphi Mill and Storehouse is located on the
Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River at 8401 & 8402
Riggs Road in
Adelphi, Maryland
Adelphi is an unincorporated area
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most othe ...
. It was built in 1796, and originally operated by two brothers, Issacher and Mahlon Schofield. It was given the name "Adelphi" after the original land patent title. The mill was used to both grind grain and to card wool. In the early-19th century, ships came up the Northwest Branch to deliver raw goods and pickup finished materials. In the mid-19th century, the mill was part of the Green Hill estate of
George Washington Riggs
George Washington Riggs (July 4, 1813 – August 24, 1881) was an American businessman and banker. He was known as "The President's Banker." He was a trustee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Peabody Education Fund.
Early life
Riggs wa ...
and renamed Riggs Mill. The mill was operated by the Freeman family until 1916. In the early 1920s, it became part of the
Langley Park Langley Park may refer to places in:
__NOTOC__ Australia
* Langley Park, Perth, an open space in the central business district of Perth
England
* Langley Park, Buckinghamshire, England, a stately home built by Stiff Leadbetter (1705–1766)
* Lang ...
estate of
Leander McCormick-Goodhart. In 1950, Mr. McCormick-Goodhart transferred the mill and surrounding to the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county agency that administers parks and planning in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland.
History
The commission was formed in 1927 by the Maryland ...
(M-NCPPC). The mill was subsequently restored and reopened in 1954, as a community center with the old machinery and grinding wheels on display.
["Adelphi Mill is Reopened to the Public," ''The Washington Post and Times-Herald'', Dec 6, 1954, pg. 21.] It is also known as the Adelphi Mill Recreation Center, M-NCPPC. Also on this property is the small stone storehouse built into the slope on the opposite side of the road at 8401 Riggs Road."
[
]
Gallery
Adelphi Mill 2.jpg, Adelphi Mill in July 2007
Adelphi Mill and Storehouse.jpg, Adelphi Mill and Storehouse, 1936
Adelphi Mill 1934.jpg, Adelphi Mill, 1934
See also
*
Northwest Branch Trail
The Northwest Branch Trail is a multi-use (hiking, biking, equestrian) trail that follows the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. It is part of the Rachel Carson Greenway and the Anacostia Tri ...
References
*This article contains information from the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission's page on the Adelphi Mill.
*
External links
Adelphi Mill Department of Parks and Recreation, M-NCPPC Prince George's County
Historic Marker Database, Adelphi Mill marker
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110716152552/http://www.pgplanning.org/Assets/Planning/Historic+Preservation/pages+21_73.pdf M-NCPPC Inventory of Historic Sites (Prince George's County); Adelphi Mill and Storehouse, entry 65-006, p. 36]
*{{HABS , survey=MD-93 , id=md0883 , title=Adelphi Mill, Adelphi Mill Recreation Center, State Route 212, Langley Park, Prince George's County, MD , photos=9
Riggs Mill Thesis presented to Tau Beta Pi, April 28, 1930, by William Edward Roberts
8 photos and sketch of mill race
Adelphi, Maryland
Grinding mills in Maryland
Buildings and structures in Prince George's County, Maryland
Historic American Buildings Survey in Maryland
Industrial buildings completed in 1796
1796 establishments in Maryland