Thomas Stone's initial career choice was to be a lawyer, which he began in 1765 by circuit (court) riding between Port Tobacco, Frederick, and Annapolis. Like many people today Stone’s career focus altered during his early thirty’s, and in 1774 he started participating in local politics. His first appointment was to the Charles County Committee of Correspondence. As tensions mounted between the colonies and England, Committees of Correspondence were part of a vital communication network set up between the colonies to pass news of major events. This office placed him in a position to quickly expand his realm of influence from local to regional. One year later he was chosen as a member of the Second Continental Congress from the colony of Maryland, during which Stone signed the Declaration of Independence and became one of our country’s founding fathers.

Today, visitors to Thomas Stone National Historic Site can view exhibits about the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Stone’s life, they are also invited to learn more about his home life by viewing Haberdeventure, the reconstructed Charles County home of Thomas Stone. When Stone purchased Haberdeventure in 1770 his intent was to build a modest home for his wife and their two daughters. However, before its completion, Stone’s father died and five of his younger brothers and sisters, came to live with him, creating the need for expansion.

Haberdeventure passed down through five generations of Stones until the property was sold in 1936. The property remained in private ownership until New Year’s Day 1977 when a fire gutted the central brick section of the house and damaged the west wing. Haberdeventure was authorized as a national historic site in 1978, and was purchased by the National Park Service in 1981. The restored house has been open to the public since 1997.

LOCATION:
The site is located at 6655 Rose Hill Road, four miles west of the town of La Plata, Maryland. Parking is available at the Visitor Center; there are accessible parking spaces at the house as well.

SERVICES: The Visitor Center has information, exhibits, and a bookstore. Guided tours of the house are offered, 10:00—4:00. There is no admission fee to visit the site.

HOURS:
Memorial Day to Labor Day: Daily, 9:00—5:00
Labor Day to Memorial Day: Wed. to Sun., 9:00—5:00
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, December 25,and January 1.