Thomas Stone National Historic Site

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Thomas Stone National Historic Site is a prominent historical attraction located in Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland.


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Summary

It commemorates the life and accomplishments of Thomas Stone, one of Maryland’s signers of the Declaration of Independence. With its rich history, picturesque landscape, and well-preserved architecture, the site offers several compelling reasons to visit.

One of the main highlights of the Thomas Stone National Historic Site is its original home, Haberdeventure. This Georgian mansion, built in the 1770s, allows visitors to step back in time and explore the elegant lifestyle of the Stone family. The mansion showcases period furniture, personal artifacts, and offers guided tours that provide insight into the family's daily life.

The site also features a visitor center that offers exhibits, displays, and a short film that provides an overview of Thomas Stone's life and contributions to the nation. Visitors can delve into Stone's role in the American Revolution and gain a deeper understanding of his impact on American history.

In addition to the mansion and visitor center, the site boasts scenic walking trails that wind through the serene landscape. These trails take visitors through open fields, wooded areas, and offer stunning views of the Port Tobacco River. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy birdwatching, picnicking, and peaceful walks while immersing themselves in the site's natural beauty.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Port Tobacco, the nearby town, was once a bustling port city and the largest in Maryland. It played a significant role in the tobacco trade during colonial times. The town's history adds another layer of intrigue to the overall experience of visiting Thomas Stone National Historic Site.

The best time to visit the site is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild and the landscape is at its most vibrant. The blooming flowers and changing foliage add to the ambiance and make for a pleasant visit. It is recommended to check the official National Park Service website for any updates on hours of operation, as well as any temporary closures or events.

To ensure accuracy, it is always advisable to verify the information across multiple independent sources, such as the National Park Service website, reputable travel guides, and historical databases.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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