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The
  Belair
Mansion
  and Stables
    IN BOWIE, MD.

"The House of
Governors."

Completed in 1745 for Maryland Governor Samuel Ogle, five other governors had occupied Belair over the years. In 1898, James T. Woodward, president of the Hanover National Bank (now JP Morgan-Chase) purchased the Belair estate. Belair remained in the Woodward family until 1957 when, following the accidental shooting death in 1955 of William (Billy) Woodward, Jr. by his wife, Ann Eden, "the most beautiful woman in radio," the 2,226-acre estate was put up for sale in September 1956 at an asking price of $1,250,000.

Interestingly, the sale of Belair to Levitt and Sons was not without contention. The estate was initially contracted to be sold to Webb and Knapp, a New York real estate firm, for $1,187,000 in October 1956. Following the announcement that the estate was under contract, Bill Levitt stated he had twice offered $1,500,000 for the estate. The sale to Webb and Knapp was ultimately contested by Norman Adolph, who had previously offered $1,400,000 for the estate. The sale to Webb and Knapp was nullified in April 1957 by Circuit Court Judge Charles Marbury, who stated that the estate's executors had failed to exhaust all possible means of securing the highest price. New bids were taken in August 1957. Webb and Knapp's bid of $1,425,000 lost out to Levitt's high bid of $1,750,000, which Bill Levitt delivered personally and was awarded the sale of the property.

When Levitt and Sons purchased the estate in 1957, Levittown, N.J. was already being prepared for its opening the following year. A complete Levittown-type community was envisioned for Belair right from the start. Although the pre-opening article in the Washington Post stated that the name of the community had been changed, early references to the community when Levitt purchased the land stated that the Belair name would be preserved. And so today the Belair name, along with the mansion and stables, have been preserved in history for the enjoyment of future generations.

More on the Woodward family: The Woodwards: Tragedy in High Society

      THE
   BELAIR MANSION
                AND  STABLES
                     B O W I E , M D .

Location: City of Bowie in Prince Georges County, Md. Mansion located at 12207 Tulip Grove Drive. Stables located at 2835 Belair Drive.

Mansion completed 1745 by commission of colonial governor Samuel Ogle. Expanded in 1914 during the Woodward family's ownership.

Stable constructed 1907 by James Woodward.

Estate sold to Levitt and Sons, Inc. on August 27, 1957 for $1,750,000. Contents of mansion sold at auction in October 1957, netting $30,000.

Mansion used as Levitt and Sons offices through 1964. Stable used as storage area for constuction equipment and shrubbery through 1968.

Mansion sold to the City of Bowie in 1964 by Levitt and Sons for $1, stipulating that it be used only for public purposes in perpetuity. Mansion served as Bowie City Hall and Prince Georges County Police station until 1977.

Stable sold to the City of Bowie in 1968 by Levitt and Sons. The sale price was the profit that Levitt and Sons would have made on the six houses that were planned for the site.

Official web site for the Belair Mansion.

Official web site for the Belair Stable.

Belair Mansion and Stables by Candlelight:

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE BELAIR MANSION AND STABLES
Each year on the first Sunday in December, the Mansion and Stables are home to the holiday open house. The Stables and Mansion open for afternoon self-touring at 4:00 by candlelight. The Mansion features a Colonial ensemble, Bedlam, providing live music from the period. The Mansion and Stables are decorated for the holidays and museum staff are on hand to answer your questions and share interesting stories as you tour each site. Be sure to visit the musem shop in the basement of the Mansion (and be sure to check out "the dungeon," where orignial Belair street name signs are stored and can be purchased for $10.00 each!)

Christmas Past at Belair:

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE BELAIR MANSION AND STABLES

Photo tour of the 2007 "Belair Mansion and Stables by Candlelight"
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

BELAIR MANSION
Exterior



Interior


  .

BELAIR STABLES
Exterior.