Oxon Hill Manor

Beneath the grand facade of Oxon Hill Manor, whispers of history echo through the halls. This isn’t just a beautiful neo-Georgian mansion with 49 rooms. It’s a place where the past comes alive. Oxon Hill Manor stands proudly in Forest Heights, Maryland. It was designed in 1928 by Jules Henri de Sibour for Sumner Welles. The year 1929 marked the completion of this magnificent estate. It features a two-story main block constructed with Flemish bond brick, a distinct northern wing, and formal gardens that have witnessed countless stories unfold. But the history of Oxon Hill Manor stretches back even further. Long before the current structure graced these lands, a colonial-era mansion stood on the same property, built in 1711 by the influential Addison family. This original Oxon Hill Manor bore witness to the passing of John Hanson in 1783. He was a president of the Continental Congress, and he was laid to rest on the property. The property changed hands over the years, eventually falling victim to a devastating fire in 1895. From the ashes of the old, a new Oxon Hill Manor emerged, commissioned by Sumner Welles, U.S. Undersecretary of State. Within these elegant walls, Welles hosted lavish parties, attended by prominent figures like President Franklin D. Roosevelt and possibly even Sir Winston Churchill. The estate later became the home of Fred Maloof, a wealthy oilman and art collector, who established a museum dedicated to fine art and John Hanson memorabilia. Today, Oxon Hill Manor stands as a testament to the passage of time, a place where history whispers through the rustling leaves of its gardens and the quiet grandeur of its halls. It’s a place where the echoes of statesmen and dignitaries mingle with the stories of those who lived and worked on these lands centuries ago. Oxon Hill Manor is more than just a historic house. It’s a living story, waiting to be discovered.