Smallwood State Park Explained

Smallwood State Park
Photo Alt:House
Photo Width:280
Map:USA Maryland
Map Width:280
Relief:1
Label:Smallwood State Park
Location:Charles County, Maryland, United States
Nearest Town:Marbury, Maryland
Coordinates:38.5564°N -77.1853°W
Area:984acres
Elevation:3feet
Established:1957
Designation:Maryland state park
Administrator:Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Smallwood State Park is a public recreation and historic preservation area located on Mattawoman Creek near Marbury, Charles County, Maryland. The state park preserves Smallwood's Retreat, the plantation home of former Continental Army officer and Governor of Maryland, Major General William Smallwood. The park's include a marina, boat ramps, picnicking facilities, campsites, cabins, trails, and nature center.

History

After a succession of occupants left Smallwood's Retreat a "standing ruin", a group of local citizens organized the Smallwood Foundation to restore the historic house. The house and ten surrounding acres were acquired in 1938. In 1957, the state began property acquisition for Smallwood State Park, purchasing 323 farmland acres from three owners. The park saw its formal dedication in 1958, when the Smallwood Foundation transferred the ten acres containing the restored Smallwood's Retreat to the state.

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