Jefferson Patterson Park, Archaeological Sites & Indian Village! Easy 5-Mi Hike
Details
Jefferson Patterson Park, Archaeological Sites & Indian Village! Easy 5-Mi Hike
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."
This hike plan will take us past archaeological sites that were explored over the last 50 years. They date back to the 15th century when Native American Settlers first occupied the site, to 17th and 18th century plantation sites, and 19th century post emancipation sites. One of the battles of the War of 1812, the Battle of St. Leonards, was fought just offshore the property (with the support of an onshore cannon). Archaeological evidence goes back about 9000 years. Most of the buildings on the site go back to the 1930s when Jefferson Patterson bought the property.
The hike leads through woodlands, over the fields, along the shore of the Patuxent River to the mouth of St. Leonard Creek. There is a reconstructed Indian Village with longhouses, protected by a palisade – a tall fence of poles. A working garden is located just outside the palisades where a variety of plants represent some of the crops Native people were growing. We will return past the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab, which stores collections from all over Maryland (There is currently construction for additional storage space) to the Visitor Center.
Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30
Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Christa (410-610-6254) and Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.
Directions to Trailhead:
It is best to use the GPS coordinates. They will take you directly to the parking lot.
The GPS Coordinates are 38.400152, -76.507586
The address to Jefferson Patterson Park is 10515 Mackall Rd, St Leonard, MD 20685. We meet at the Visitor Center Parking Lot. From the entrance, look for signs to the JPPM Visitor's Center -- It should be the first road to the left uphill.
Details:
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 5 total miles with shorter options
Elevation Gain: minimal
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Bathroom near the trailhead
Fees: no fees
Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.
Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.
Notes:
- RSVP TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. IF YOUR PLANS CHANGE, UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY 6:00 PM THE DAY BEFORE SO THERE IS TIME TO BACKFILL YOUR SPOT. SIGNING OUT AFTER 6:00 PM WILL RESULT IN A "NO SHOW." REPEATED NO SHOWS WILL RESULT IN BARRING YOU FROM FUTURE HIKES WITH THIS LEADER. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST, CHECK YOUR STATUS SOON AFTER 6:00 PM THE DAY BEFORE TO SEE IF YOU ARE ON THE "GOING" LIST.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.