We went to a birthday party in Bowie on Saturday. Beforehand, we took advantage of a little spare time, to drive around Bowie. We particularly wanted to have a look at the Belair Mansion. Sounds like it is going to be some crass 1980's mansion to me, actually, built in 1745 as a governor's residence. Expanded in 1914 by another owner, now operated by the City of Bowie as a museum (and a wedding destination!). I find it very pleasing to the eye. Having read the wikepedia entry, it is interesting to note that the estate was originally a plantation, and its decline started very soon after the 1864 Maryland Constitution emancipated slaves, leaving the owners with large amount of land, and no workforce to make it productive. By 1871, the original family owners had lost it to debt.
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