I talked with my brothers and we decided that a huge family reunion would be perfect; although most of us live close, two of my brothers are located on the West Coast, and they hadn’t been home in a couple of years. 

Even though I knew my mom would be pleased just to have everyone together again, I still wanted us to do something special.  So, I got to thinking….what would my mom want to do?

Marietta House

Before I go on, it’s important for me to tell you something about Jane Lee: she loves telling stories.  She spends her free time in the library researching local Maryland families; then she would regale everyone with what she had learned (although I think she always embellished a little).  I can still remember cold winter nights when we would gather around the fire and her chair, as she would share her newest story—these are some of my happiest childhood memories.

It was while remembering some of the more colorful stories that I had an idea….

Billingsley House

Since she was moved to an assisted living facility in 2005, my mother is rarely able to get to the library.  Instead, she now relies on newspaper articles and gossip for her stories.  I wanted to change that; I wanted to give her a weekend that would provide her with years worth of incredible stories.

I started researching; I needed to find local historical sites that would provide extensive information about local families and local history.  It was then that I stumbled upon Prince George’s County Historical Website.

Mary Surratt House

On their website, I found pages and pages of local historical landmarks all located in PG County—everything from technological centers (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) to museums (College Park Aviation Museum).  My focus, however, was on famous family homes in the area.  I found quite a list to choose from, but I focused on the houses and churches (we are a very religious family) I thought my mom would find most interesting.

NASA Goddard Space Center

On the third weekend in June, my whole family came together to celebrate my mother’s birthday.  At the party on Friday night (held in a banquet room at The Comfort Inn in Bowie), I announced our plans for Saturday and Sunday: a tour of historic Prince George’s County, to honor my mother and her love of history and story telling.  Never before had I seen my mother at a complete loss for words, she was so touched that we had all come together to honor her.

College Park Aviation Museum

On Saturday June 19^th, the Lee Family visited three homes: Mary Surratt’s House (the house John Wilkes Booth escaped to after he assassinated President Lincoln), Billingsley House Museum (a plantation home-built in the mid-1700s), and The Marietta House Museum (where Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Gabriel Duvall lived).

On Sunday, we explored two churches: Dorsey Chapel (the center of the African-American community of Brookland in the late 1900s) and Mount Nebo A.M.E. Church (the adjoining school was the focal point for the African-American community).

Mount Nebo Church

Each site that we visited was meticulously maintained and provided visitors with information about its historical significance.  I was impressed at each stop—I had no idea that Prince George’s County had such an important and vibrant history.

I visited my mother yesterday.  As I walked into the study at the assisted living facility, I noticed that my mother was once again doing what she loved: telling a story (about Dorsey Chapel) to the little group that sat gathered around her chair.

Dorsey Chapel

This story is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

We were All-State and the first baseball team from our high school to ever win a state championship.  I can still remember that day perfectly—we all felt pretty invincible.  I wanted to recapture that feeling of triumph, and what better place than a ballpark?

So, I texted John to see what he thought about a team reunion.  He was all for it, he just didn’t want anything too complicated to plan.  So, I got to thinking.  Most of us still lived around the DC area, although there were a few that were out-of-state.  I knew I wanted us to go see a game, but where was the most convenient?  I asked my wife if she had any ideas (she loves planning trips and has traveled all over).  She suggested I check out Prince George’s Reunion Capital USA website.  She had organized a sorority reunion at Gaylord National Resort last year and said that their website had great information for reunion planning.

On their site I realized Gaylord would also be perfect for my team.  Not because of their spa (where my wife spent all of her reunion), but because of its location in Prince George’s County.  It was located minutes from THREE different baseball stadiums—Nationals Park, Maryland’s Shipley Field, and The Baysox’s Prince George’s Stadium.  In one weekend, we would be able to attend three separate games—each with something different to offer.

Courtesy of The Bowie Baysox

The wives and kids could join us to watch the Baysox on Friday night.  With the fireworks show and kids park, the kids would love it (and if the kids are happy, so are the wives).  On Saturday night, the team could head to University of Maryland’s campus.  This game would be particularly special for us.   Tim (who played first base on our team) had played ball there a few years back and this would be a great way to honor that.  We could end the weekend at Nationals Park on Sunday afternoon.  Many of us are die-hard Redskins fans, but hadn’t made it to a Nationals game yet, so we were all looking forward to this.

The reunion was last weekend. Everyone loved Gaylord (the place has every conceivable amenity possible), and it was so easy to get from there to each stadium.  I, however, was happy just to be with my team again.  We decided that “Baseball Fest” is going to be an annual event and I’m already looking forward to next year…

Courtesy of The University of Maryland

The reunion began about 30 years ago when Francis Gray and his two brothers, Morris and John decided to host an event to bring their families together. The current group of 34, and with a baby on the way, look forward to reconnecting with one another each year despite everyone’s busy lives and living far away from one another.

Everyone looks forward to a day filled with family fun, boating, and the traditional tennis tournament– whose winner gets a special award later that night. At dinner, a toast is made to celebrate family and honor those who have passed away.

Every year, the group takes a family photo, and a kids photo, with them lined up from tallest to shortest to commemorate the event.

“The reunion is always a success because we all make an effort to come and have a good time together. Everyone knows how long we have been doing it, and how important it is to our grandparents, so we make sure it goes well and we all have a great time,” says Elizabeth Gray, whose grandfather started the reunion tradition.

Does your family host an annual reunion or have a special story you would like to share? Please comment below, we would love to hear from you!

Interested in planning a reunion for your family or friends? We can help all Reunion Rookies!

This annual family friendly open house is from 10 a.m– 4 p.m., with free admission, parking and shuttle services! There are a wide variety of activities, delicious food options, and exciting events for all ages.

There are over 400  free events all about celebrating culture and the arts! Based on your particular interests you can “plan your day,” to make the most of what Maryland Day has to offer on their official website, including programs based around the arts, the global village, sports, becoming a Terp and more!

Special programs are set up for kids, alumni, and prospective students, so this event is not to be missed! Come rain or shine to explore hundreds of hands-on exhibits, workshops, games and live performances at Maryland Day 2010 on April 24th!

Love college sports? Come take in one of the many division I games at the University of Maryland! With a huge variety of competitive sports teams, from the well-respected football and basketball teams to more unique lacrosse and swimming, there is an exciting game to attend no matter what time of year or personal interest! Get your ticket to cheer on the Terps today, and enjoy the unique experience and overwhelming spirit of the college sports arena!

Love professional sports teams? Our location in Washington D.C. boasts  teams for every popular sport including the Washington Redskins football, Washington Nationals for baseball, the Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics for men and women’s basketball, DC United for soccer, and the popular Washington Capitals for ice hockey! Bring your friends and family to a game of their choice, there is something for everyone!

Looking for something a little different? Check out the DC Divas, one of the most respected teams in the Independent Women’s Football League, or take in an exciting Quarter Horse race at Rosecroft Harness Racing! Bring the family together for a day of fun and baseball at the Bowie Baysox minor league team, which sponsors special events such as kids events and fireworks after the game! Enjoy an Equestrian special event, at the beautiful Show Place Arena, where most events are free to attend!

Get involved in sports at some of the many centers in the area! The Sports and Learning Complex Youth and Community Events holds a variety of classes, holiday events, Kids Day Out field trips, and Summer Camps. Enjoy annual events like Hallowfun Night, Black History informational workshops, in addition to specialized classes are offered at the variety of centers– an aquatic, fitness, track and field, and gymnastics.

Looking for the perfect event for you? Check out our variety of venues, many of which have plenty of group accommodations and more!

For more of the many fun things to do in Price George’s County, check out the website, or follow us on twitter!

Prince George’s boasts many famous and unique African American historical sites that allow visitors and residents to explore the past, and celebrate our African American heritage. For over 300 years, African Americans have raised families and built communities that have been vital to the growth and development of Prince George’s County.

African American Heritage Brochure

Visit unique sites such as the Columbia Air Center, the first black owned and operated airfield that made history in 1941, and Blacksox Park, once the home to flourishing African American sandlot baseball teams.

Learn about the enduring strength of the African American people by visiting Belair Mansion, a large plantation built in 1747 with exhibits highlighting the significant role of the enslaved Africans and their lives on the plantation and working as jockeys at the famous Belair Stables.

Further discover the daily lives of slaves at The Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park and Northhampton Slave Quarters and Archaeological Park, and experience their interesting exhibits. Visit The Charles Duckett Log Cabin at the Patuxent Rural Life Museums to get a rare and interactive glimpse into life in the 1880s. The museum includes a cabin built by a former slave and landsman in the Union Navy during the civil war, as well as a tobacco museum, a blacksmith shop, a tool museum and a 1923 Sears, Roebuck and company simplex house.

Visits to various historical African American churches show the enduring spirit and faith that still remains today. These churches include Saint Paul’s Methodist Church, thought to be the oldest black congregation in Prince George’s, and Dorsey Chapel, a small frame meeting house church built to serve African Americans in rural Prince George’s at the turn of the 20th century.

Prince George’s County has a wealth of interesting historical sites to discover this February during Black History Month.  For an African American Heritage Sites Guide, just request one, or download it here as a pdf file.

Below is a preview of the site map in the guide.

African American Heritage Sites in Prince George's County, MD

African American Heritage Sites in Prince George's County, MD

A theme lets you get a creative focus, with everything from invitations, to food, music and even a costume event if you like. A theme can be a simple or wacky as your group would like. It can be a celebration of a milestone birthday for someone special in your family, a religious or holiday theme, or simply a special genre such as safari or western.

Themes are a great way for people to come together and let loose! There are endless theme ideas, whether you are looking for something special for your church, family, sorority or fraternity, or military reunion, there is a great option for everyone.

Start off by thinking about the basics—what type of reunion you are hosting, who will be attending, the time of the year, the location, or a common group interest are great places to draw theme inspiration.

For sororities and fraternities, think back to your favorite theme parties or common interests in college and re-create a special night. Did you and your brothers look forward to your annual toga party? Did your sisters and you attend college in the 80s? Break out your old college wardrobes and pictures and make even more special memories with life-long friends!

For church groups, celebrate the wonderful time of the year by having a holiday or seasonal theme. For a more unique idea, celebrate Christmas in July at a summer picnic, or have a topical luau at a winter gathering.

Once you decide on the topic, you can plan decorations, recipes, music and special beverages around it. You can also have attendees dress accordingly, and have games to go along with the theme for both adults and children to make it a fun, exciting event for all!

Themes are a great way to unite your group, give your event direction, and add a little extra fun to your group’s reunion, and bring the group together.

Please feel free to comment and share your reunion idea with others!

This is the third time that one lucky person will be selected the Grand Prize Winner of a super reunion package worth over $20,000 for their special group of 40. This year,  it could be you!

The grand prize package includes luxury hotel accommodations for a long weekend, catering for a reunion dinner and reception, a day full of fun at Six Flags America, a genealogy workshop, transportation and t-shirts for your entire group, and more! Official rules and regulations apply.

Remember, there are only 4 more days to enter, so don’t wait! Tell all your friends and family to enter today!

One afternoon, a friend told the story of how one of her own family traditions was born, Christmas in May. Her father, forever free-spirited, popped into town from out of state and they arranged to get together for dinner. Her sister in Philadelphia didn’t want to be left out, so she drove home to Maryland.

Aunts and uncles suggested they come together at their house, which happened to be crawling with cousins, and the next thing you know, there was a party. As grandparents and more relatives were called, the backdoor continued to fly open, inviting hollers, and then hugs from the gathering crowd. Everyone just kept coming. They joked that it was their ‘Christmas in May.’

The afternoon came together fast. Someone picked up a bushel of steamed crabs, while others fried buttermilk chicken, husked corn, whipped deviled eggs and brewed sweet tea. They laid layers of neighborhood news on the picnic table as a makeshift tablecloth, and carted out the bounty out like, well, like aunts to a picnic. Cracking crabs and passing paper plates they told stories of holidays past; when an ornery cousin dented their grandfather’s Chrysler one Christmas Eve, and how her great-uncle would eek-out holiday carols after dinner on his violin.

Even Grandpa chimed in with stories of being a child growing up in Baltimore with his four siblings. They sat around for hours. Everyone had a story to tell, his or her own piece of the family patchwork. No one rushed to clean up, there wasn’t much to do but roll up the paper anyhow. Her grandmother set the needle to old holiday records; she was a musician in her day and still had stacks of jazz from her time. Sitting back, listening and laughing, the group thumbed through vinyl and handed around newspaper clippings gathered through the years.

If we’re lucky, we all have days like these shuffled into our busy lives. It’s up to us to make these times memorable, to make our mess, to make our mark. Sometimes, there are no family birthdays, no major holidays, no real reasons to get together. So you make one up. That’s what family is about- making the time to be together.

There’s a reason Prince George’s County is all about family. It’s why we treasure traditions like ‘Christmas in May.’ It’s where families (just like yours) come together.

Want to win a reunion package of a lifetime worth over $20,000 to bring your family together and create your own special memories and traditions? Time is running out! Tell your family and friends and enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes today, the contest ends December 31st!

Prince George’s County, Maryland is the ideal location for any reunion, regardless of group size, price point or interests. From quality hotels, to historic museums, and fun attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Gorgeous Prince George’s!

Looking for a high quality hotel for your group to stay? The Marriott Greenbelt hotel has won “Marriott Hotel of the Year” and is minutes from exciting attractions such as the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Six Flags America, downtown Washington, D.C., and within an hour from Baltimore and Annapolis.

Planning a reunion for a large group? Check out the National Harbor, Maryland’s newest dream gateway! It’s an incredible 300-acre waterfront destination just minutes from downtown Washington D.C., along the Potomac River. The cornerstone of National Harbor is the 2000-room Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel in the Washington DC metro. The National Harbor features world-class dining, nightclubs, shopping and an amazing market, as well as special seasonal features and attractions for the whole family to enjoy!

There are a magnitude of unique and interesting historical sites, museums and cultural events to enjoy in Prince George’s. Go back in time and visit the Surratt House, home of Mary Surratt, the first woman to be executed by the United States government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The museum presents a variety of programs and events, recapturing the history of mid-19th century life and focusing on the fascinating web of the Lincoln conspiracy.

Check out a performance at the incredible Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, take in a professional sports game, or spend a day exploring Fort Washington and it’s 341-acre park offering an assortment of recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails and a playground.

There are plenty of great places to experience on your reunion in Prince George’s, making it the ideal reunion destination! Check out Reunion Capital USA for reunion planning advice, ideas and more!

Follow ReunionsUSA on twitter for daily updates!

Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and you could WIN a reunion package worth over $20,000 in Prince George’s! It’s only open until December 31st so enter your group today and you could be the next big winner!