Peachwood Neighborhood Park

Hidden within the trees stands Peachwood Neighborhood Park. Its history whispers of a remarkable community. From 1903 to 1946 this land thrived. It was home to the Women’s Commonwealth Farm. This wasn’t just any farm. It was a self-sufficient women’s commune. Wealthy and influential women ran it. They served toothsome old Maryland dishes. Fried chicken and cream gravy were popular. Cornbread and buttermilk flowed freely. Their ice cream was legendary. The restaurant’s success ensured the commune’s financial independence. This was extraordinary for women at that time. The women established communal households. They believed in sanctification non-sectarianism and celibacy. They initially operated successful businesses in Texas. Their financial success allowed them to retire to Washington DC in 1898. They ran a boarding house alongside a small farm. They dedicated themselves to social causes including women’s suffrage. A few years later they purchased land in Maryland. The Commonwealth Farm was born. By 1946 only two members remained. Much of the farmland had been sold. A stone retaining wall still stands as a testament to their time. You can see it from New Hampshire Avenue just south of Good Hope Road. Today Peachwood Neighborhood Park offers a playground a multi-use field and an exercise station. There are also tennis courts now with pickleball striping. A picnic area with a shelter invites relaxation. Basketball handball and even a tennis wall provide further recreational options. Come explore Peachwood Neighborhood Park. Discover a hidden history a vibrant present and a welcoming space for all. Remember the pioneering women who once called this land home. Their legacy of independence and community spirit lives on within these peaceful grounds. Their story is a remarkable part of Peachwood Neighborhood Park’s enduring charm.