Anniversary Archive
Photos from the 200th Anniversary
Riversdale (2012)
Riversdale Historic Mansion (2013)
Bostwick House (2014)
Hyattsville (2014)
Bladensburg Waterfront Park (2014)
Undaunted Monument
In 2010, a group of concerned citizens came together and began planning. They felt that as the bicentennial of the War of 1812 approached, there was a need for appropriate commemoration of the Battle of Bladensburg. They proposed a monument to serve as a tribute to the soldiers, sailors and marines who fought and died defending their Nation’s Capital on August 24, 1814. The memorial would present Commodore Joshua Barney, not in a moment of triumph, but shortly after he is wounded. He is being assisted by Charles Ball, a former slave and member of the flotilla who fought alongside Barney at Bladensburg. The other figure represents a member of the Marines. All three figures are looking up, “undaunted” with their weapons at the ready.
The figures was sculpted in relief and cast in bronze. The bronze panel is housed in a limestone base that reads “Undaunted in Battle.” The back surface of the base has a Battle of Bladensburg interpretive marker. Constructed of granite, the marker will provide a focus for tourism in the area, and will contain information about the battle and battlefield, including a narrative summary of the battle with quotations, maps and graphics.
The location of the memorial is in the center of the former Bladensburg Balloon Park, a landscaped area owned by M-NCPPC, between the Peace Cross and an existing parking lot next to the George Washington House.
The sculptor selected for the proposed memorial was Joanna Blake. Mrs. Blake, who died in 2015, was a resident of Cottage City and a figurative sculptor with a studio in Brentwood, MD. She had worked for Kaskey Studio, Inc., where she has contributed her design and sculpting skills to the creation of a number of large scale public monuments, most notably, the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The Aman Memorial Trust, who led the development of the monument, is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization that supports historic preservation in and about the Town of Bladensburg. The Trust took the lead in organizing a memorial committee that received and disbursed funds for the memorial. A large deal of the funding was from State of Maryland funds. Amen Trust hopes the sculpture and surrounding landscape creates a space for reflection; a destination for tourists interested in history and a reminder to Maryland residents of the historical events of August 24, 1814.
Press Clippings
(2008, June 25). THE NEW STAR-SPANGLED BANNER TRAIL WILL HELP COMMEMORATE THE WAR OF 1812. Ben Cardin: U.S. Senator for Maryland. https://www.cardin.senate.gov/news/the-new-star-spangled-banner-trail-will-help-commemorate-the-war-of-1812/.
(2010, August 14). Photo Gallery: The 15th Annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment. Patch. https://patch.com/maryland/riverdalepark/photo-gallery-the-15th-annual-battle-of-bladensburg-encampment.
(2011, August 2). Riversdale Set to Celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Patch. https://patch.com/maryland/riverdalepark/riversdale-set-to-celebrate-the-bicentennial-of-the-war-of-1812.
(2011, August 14). Residents Experience a 200-Year-Old Battle. Patch. https://patch.com/maryland/riverdalepark/residents-experience-a-200-year-old-battle.
(2012, August 11). Maryland suffered but still loves War of 1812. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/maryland-suffered-but-still-loves-war-of-1812/2012/08/11/80b5a91a-e344-11e1-ae7f-d2a13e249eb2_story.html.
(2012, January 16). Battle of Bladensburg monument molding its way to fruition. The Gazette. https://1812news.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/battle-of-bladensburg-monument-molding-its-way-to-fruition-2/.
(2012, January 4). War of 1812: A Naval Turning Point. TIME. https://nation.time.com/2012/01/04/war-of-1812-a-naval-turning-point/.
(2012, September 3). The new battle for Bladensburg. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/the-new-battle-for-bladensburg/2012/09/03/2f13201a-ebbe-11e1-b811-09036bcb182b_story.html.
(2012, June 7). The War of 1812, still seeking a little respect. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/the-war-of-1812-still-seeking-a-little-respect/2012/06/07/gJQAblrwLV_story.html.
(2012, June 8). 1812: The forgotten war. KidsPost. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/the-war-of-1812-for-kids/2012/06/07/gJQAHWKcNV_story.html.
(2012, August 6). Without Prince George’s County, there might have been no ‘Star Spangled Banner’. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/without-prince-georges-county-there-might-have-been-no-star-spangled-banner/2012/08/06/dede95be-dcbf-11e1-9974-5c975ae4810f_story.html.
(2012, May 20). Bladensburg battles to preserve historic Bostwick House. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bladensburg-battles-to-preserve-historic-bostwick-house/2012/05/29/gJQA29mT1U_story.html.
(2013, August 6). Prince George’s to mark 199th anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg with several events. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/prince-georges-to-mark-199th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-bladensburg-with-several-events/2013/08/06/9bd86ae2-fec4-11e2-bd97-676ec24f1f3f_story.html.
(2013, January 6). Memorializing defeat at Bladensburg that led to eventual victory. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/memorializing-defeat-at-bladensburg-that-led-to-eventual-victory/2013/01/06/de57dfe4-5823-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html.
(2014, June 25). For War of 1812 events, the key is spicing up a boring subject. Washington Business Journal. https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2014/06/for-war-of-1812-events-the-key-is-spicing-up-a.html?page=all.
(2014, July 8). The Series of Improbable Events That Gave Us 'The Star Spangled Banner'. The ATlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/07/we-luh-ya-war-of-1812/374056/.
(2014, June 21). Star-Spangled Banner Trail Follows War Of 1812. CBS Baltimore. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/star-spangled-banner-trail-follows-war-of-1812/.
(2014, June 27). 5 Surprising Facts About Francis Scott Key and 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. Parade. https://parade.com/310793/lindsaylowe/5-surprising-facts-about-francis-scott-key-and-the-star-spangled-banner/.
(2014, July 1). The British View the War of 1812 Quite Differently Than Americans Do. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/british-view-war-1812-quite-differently-americans-do-180951852/.
(2014, June 19). Star-Spangled Banner Historic Trail follows War of 1812 battles. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2014/06/19/star-spangled-banner-historic-trail-follows-war-of-1812-battles/.
(2014, August 23). Bladensburg kicks off War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration festival. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bladensburg-kicks-off-war-of-2012-bicentennial-commemoration-festival/2014/08/23/c77bc424-2afa-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html.
(2014, August 21). Before donning period costume, Baker wondered: Did blacks fight in War of 1812? The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/before-donning-period-costume-baker-wondered-did-blacks-fight-in-war-of-1812/2014/08/21/ea983b74-2972-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html.
(2014, August 21). Reliving the second fight for independence. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2014/08/21/reliving-the-second-fight-for-independence/.
(2014, August 23). D.C.’s darkest day, a war that no one remembers. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/2014/08/23/abf407ae-24bd-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html.
(2014, August 22). Historical look: 200-year anniversary of Battle of Bladensburg. National Guard Bureau. https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/576380/historical-look-200-year-anniversary-of-battle-of-bladensburg/.
(2014, August 23). 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg and the Burning of Washington, DC [Video]. C-SPAN. https://www.c-span.org/video/?320692-1/200th-anniversary-battle-bladensburg-burning-washington-dc.
(2016, August 9). Battle of Bladensburg comes to life at Riversdale House Museum reenactment. DC Military. https://www.dcmilitary.com/andrews_gazette/news/battle-of-bladensburg-comes-to-life-at-riversdale-house-museum-reenactment/article_0b466b2a-de3f-57c4-91d6-39a9d2ea6ed7.html.
(2018, August 9). Why Bladensburg’s Battle Reenactment is Unique. The Hyattsville Wire. https://www.hyattsvillewire.com/2018/08/09/battle-bladensburg-encampment-war-1812/.
(2021, August 16). New Mural Will Depict Bladensburg History and Everyday Modern Life. The Hyattsville Wire. https://www.hyattsvillewire.com/2021/08/16/cindy-fletcher-holden-mural/.
(2021, May 22). The Fascinating History of Route 1’s Hidden Catholic Church. The Hyattsville Wire. https://www.hyattsvillewire.com/2021/05/22/queens-chapel/.
From battleofbladensburg1812.com
The Battle of Bladensburg Task Force, established by the Town of Bladensburg in cooperation with the Towns of Cottage City and Colmar Manor, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Councilwoman Andrea Harrison’s office, and Prince George’s Heritage Inc, is committed to tell the story of the military actions that preceded and followed the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814. Through a Visitor Center, walking tours, events and signage, the Task Force is working with partners across the area to ensure visitors and the community understands that without the Battle of Bladensburg and Prince George’s County, the Star Spangled Banner and the success at Baltimore, would not have occurred.
In the spring of 2010, the Battle of Bladensburg Commemoration Task Force was formed to plan the Commemoration of the Battle of Bladensburg; producing a permanent visitor experience and thinking creatively to ensure visitors enjoy and learn about the Battle while visiting other War of 1812 sites in Maryland. The Task Force initially came together in March of 2010. A charette was conducted on June 23rd that generated ideas, from which the Task Force built this plan. The Task Force met weekly work through the details, met with experts in the field, and made the connections to stakeholders.
Odette T. Ramos of Strategic Management Consulting LLC., a consultant to the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc. and the Port Towns CDC was asked to lead the development a plan for the Commemoration. Through the work of a variety of partners – The Aman Trust, Anacostia Watershed Society, Town of Bladensburg, Town of Colmar Manor, Town of Cottage City, Friends of the Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Prince George’s County (Councilwoman Harrison), Prince George’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Prince George’s Heritage Inc. - this concept was formulated into a formal plan.
In addition, The Governor of Maryland appointed a Maryland War of 1812 Commission to coordinate efforts statewide. They have declared that the War of 1812 Commemoration period in Maryland is from July 2012 through February of 2015. Furthermore, the National Park Service has been developing the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, which Bladensburg will be a key component. Finally, Prince George’s County has established a Bicentennial Commission for the county, which the task force participates within.
This plan is the jumping off point from which ATHA, Inc. and this Task Force will implement this important commemoration plan. The Commemoration plan build on the current historic assets in the area, and adds to them in a creative way to significantly enhance the visitor experience in the area, and ensure there is something there for visitors to come, see, and enjoy.