Discover Greenbelt Town of Tomorrow
Join Greenbelt Museum staff for a unique trip through New Deal history. The event will begin with a look inside one of the carefully reconstructed 1930s residences which has been restored to its 1937 appearance. Following exploration of the housing unit, we'll embark on a walking tour of the community which includes Greenbelt's iconic pathways, underpasses, and super blocks, as well as a visit to one of the earliest shopping centers, and an original school building turned community center complete with social realist sculpture by a little known WPA artist.
Greenbelt was designed and planned from the ground up by the federal government in the mid-1930s for families of low to moderate income. We believe that so much of this small city's history has never been more relevant as our nation debates who deserves help, what should that help look like, and what are good uses of government resources. Our tours are interactive, educational, and eye-opening.
Explore closets and bathrooms and even open drawers in our historic house! Walk along Greenbelt's interior pathways not always visible from area roadways, as they were designed to separate vehicular from pedestrian traffic. Visit the time capsule of the original shopping area, complete with a movie theater and neon marquee and end at the original school building for the community, significant for its art deco design.
Hi. I'm Megan, a member of the Atlas Obscura community.
I am a museum professional with the Greenbelt Museum, where we are passionate about sharing the history of our New Deal experimental community! I received my M.A. in Design History and have directed the Greenbelt Museum since 2008.
I’ll be joined by Sheila Maffay-Tuthill, who has a degree in History and who has been developing and leading tours for the Museum since 2009.
For questions about this experience, please contact me directly through Airbnb.
Both the Museum's historic house (10B Crescent) and the house next door (10A Crescent) look like residences, they form a duplex and are diagonally across from the local library, where there is free parking. If guests have any mobility challenges, please call ahead for alternative parking options.
There are 10 spots available on this experience.
Guests ages 18 and up can attend. Parents may also bring children under 2 years of age.
The walking tour is approximately one mile in length. We are happy to customize tours and/or make them shorter if requested. We forego the walking tour if outside temperatures are below 28 degrees or above 98 degrees.
- Bring comfortable shoes, an umbrella, and/or warm coat in cold weather as we will be outdoors.
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
