Last updated: September 8, 2025
Place
The Howard County Conservancy, Mt. Pleasant Farmstead
Howard County Conservancy
Quick Facts
Location:
10520 Old Frederick Rd Woodstock, MD 21163
Significance:
The Howard County Conservancy, Mt. Pleasant Farmstead preserves Chesapeake Bay cultural heritage and biodiversity, blending historic farm buildings with restored habitats that connect communities to the watershed.
Designation:
Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
5 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Pets Allowed, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Playground, Restroom - Accessible
The Howard County Conservancy, Mt. Pleasant Farmstead offers a meaningful connection to the landscapes, history, and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Overlooking the Patapsco River valley, this 232-acre site blends rich cultural heritage with vibrant natural habitats, welcoming all who wish to explore, learn, and reflect.
Visitors can walk through history at the farmstead, where original outbuildings such as a bank barn, blacksmith shop, corn crib, and smokehouse recall centuries of life and labor on the land. The reconstructed Montjoy Barn, an eighteenth-century hand-hewn oak structure, stands as a testament to the preservation of regional heritage. Interpretive exhibits highlight the stories of the Indigenous Peoples, colonists, and enslaved people who lived and worked here.
The grounds offer five miles of trails through gardens, fields, and forests where wildlife thrives thanks to decades of habitat restoration and native plantings. Foxes, owls, otters, butterflies, and countless other species can be found here, offering visitors a chance to encounter the Chesapeake Bay’s biodiversity up close. The Conservancy also offers engaging environmental education for all ages, from bird walks and guided hikes to seasonal festivals and school programs.
As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, the Mt. Pleasant Farmstead connects people to the Chesapeake’s natural and cultural heritage. Learn more and plan your visit by exploring the Howard County Conservancy’s website.
Visitors can walk through history at the farmstead, where original outbuildings such as a bank barn, blacksmith shop, corn crib, and smokehouse recall centuries of life and labor on the land. The reconstructed Montjoy Barn, an eighteenth-century hand-hewn oak structure, stands as a testament to the preservation of regional heritage. Interpretive exhibits highlight the stories of the Indigenous Peoples, colonists, and enslaved people who lived and worked here.
The grounds offer five miles of trails through gardens, fields, and forests where wildlife thrives thanks to decades of habitat restoration and native plantings. Foxes, owls, otters, butterflies, and countless other species can be found here, offering visitors a chance to encounter the Chesapeake Bay’s biodiversity up close. The Conservancy also offers engaging environmental education for all ages, from bird walks and guided hikes to seasonal festivals and school programs.
As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, the Mt. Pleasant Farmstead connects people to the Chesapeake’s natural and cultural heritage. Learn more and plan your visit by exploring the Howard County Conservancy’s website.