Darnall's Chance House Museum

This 18th century historic home was built around 1741 by merchant James Wardrop, who was one of the wealthiest men in Maryland colony at the time. Today, it is a museum depicting life during the 18th century with emphasis on the lives of women, particularly that of Lettice Lee, who married James in 1747. The home is also called Buck House after its last owner, Harry Buck. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and restored to its 1742 appearance in 1986. The museum offers changing exhibits and a variety of educational programming and events.

According to the National Register of Historic Places nomination form, the owner of the property before James Wardrop was Daniel Carroll. However, Wardrop, who was born in Scotland, was the first recorded owner of the house and a deed dating to 1741 suggests he had built it by then. When Wardrop died in 1760, an inventory of the house lists his furnishings, which included the contents of the wine cellar. In all, his property (including 32 enslaved laborers) valued around 1,000 British pounds. The grounds included eight outbuildings, ornamental and vegetable gardens, and an apple and peach orchard. Lettice married again twice; the first to Dr. Adam Thomson and then to Colonel Joseph Sim. She died on April 3, 1776.

Numerous owners occupied the house and many were also wealthy merchants. Most of the changes to the house were made by owner Edward Grafton W. Hall between 1857-1887. He changed it so much that it covered the 18th century character of the house. Harry Buck owned the property form 1907 to 1974. An interesting feature of the property is the burial vault that was discovered in 1987 and excavated in 1990. Under several feet of trash deposited over the years, archaeologists found the remains of three adults and six children. Among those found were Lettice Lee, her brother Hancock, and her sister Elizabeth. 

"History." Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation - Darnall's Chance Museum. Retrieved from the Web Archive May 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505061049/http://history.pgparks.com:80/sites_and_museums/Darnall_s_Chance_House_Museum/History.htm.

Wollon, James T. "James Wardrop House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 20, 1978. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505061049/http://history.pgparks.com:80/sites_and_museums/Darnall_s_Chance_House_Museum/History.htm.