Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm
Your Self Guided Tour
Welcome to Oxon Cove Park. Here is a self-guided tour that describes many of the Oxon Hill structures, animals, and machines that you may see along the way.
Take a walk, explore and discover the historical patterns of the park. Each structure, animal, and machine is a piece of the cultural puzzle that fits together to tell the story of Oxon Hill Farm. For a bird's eye view of the farm please click
.
As you enter the main gate of the park, the Dairy Barn (ca. 1980) and silo (ca. 1940)
As you approach the main area of the farm, you will pass the Sorghum Syrup Shed (ca. 1980) on your right. The Restrooms are to the left of the Visitor Barn.
The Visitor Barn houses the bookstore, classroom, visitor center, and exhibit area. Farm brochures are on the front porch. Brochures on other parks in the area are inside. There might be a rocking chair on the porch if you need a short rest. To the right of the Visitor Barn is the Windmill (ca. 1970) and the Farm Museum (ca. 1970).
Across from Farm Museum you will find the Hay Barn (ca. 1940). Part of the Hay Barn is a classroom where you can see corn shellers and a corn grinder. Look around the outside of the Hay Barn and you may find the rabbit hutches and the Cow Stanchion. The Cow Milking program is held at the Cow Stanchion. The cows may be in the pasture nearest to the stanchion or they may be in the pasture beside the Feed Shed (ca. 1890).
Exihibits of the various types of feed for cows, poultry, goats, horses, and sheep, along with some old farm tools are in the right half of the Feed Shed. The left half contains the corn crib and tack room.
To the left of the Feed Shed is the Stable (ca. 1820-1830).
As you leave the end door of the stable, and continue along the driveway, you will pass the ducks and geese on your right. Next are the pigs. On your left is the old hog house which is currently being renovated and soon will be a display area. Past the old hog house, on your left, you will find the Root Cellar (ca. 1830). This building was used to store foods during the cold winter months.
Up the hill to your left is the Farm House (ca. 1804), the oldest structure on the park. The first floor contains exhibits and the second floor has offices for the park staff. Several old farm machines are displayed to the left of the farm house.
While you are on top of the hill, as you walk beside the farm house, you can see Alexandria, Virginia across the Potomac River and upstream you can see some of the monuments in Washington D.C. You might even see an airplane landing at Ronald Regan Washington National Airport. The farm house was built here to take advantage of the cool breezes from the river.
In front of the farm house is the Hexagonal Building (ca. 1900). This six-sided building is believed to have been used as a milking parlor and is surrounded by 100 year old boxwood.
As you leave the front of the farm house, with the Hexagon Building to your left, you will find goats and sheep and their shed. To your left, past the Hexagon Building is the garden where vegetables are raised, and to the right of the garden you will find the Chicken Coop with chickens, turkeys and other varieties of poultry.
Please feel welcome to visit the bookstore in the Visitor Barn. Park Rangers will be happy to answer your questions. Are you interested in a hike, bike ride, or nature walk? If so, please check with a ranger and visit our other web pages.
For more information about Oxon Hill Farm, select from these links: