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Location
Best time
Plan your visit for Friday-Sunday between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. for free self-guided tours of the mansion's multiple floors, grounds, and basement without needing to book in advance.
Visitor tip
Check the Belair Mansion website before visiting to watch historical videos and view virtual guided tours—this helps you better understand the artifacts and local history, especially the Colonial Revival pieces and Thoroughbred racing heritage.
Visitor tip
Bring children during seasonal events like the Christmas Elf Hunt, which combines free admission with engaging activities and goody bags—reviews highlight this as a particularly fun and educational experience for kids of all ages.
About Belair Mansion
Grand 18th-century governor's residence. Living museum in a 1745 governor's home with collections interpreting local life from 1747–1950.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Historic House Museum
- Built
- Circa 1745
- Admission
- Free (donations welcomed)
- Hours
- Self-guided tours Friday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Highlights
- Colonial-era artifacts, William Woodward collection, virtual tours available
What visitors say
Went to Belair mansion for the Christmas Elf Hunt and it was so much fun. I also loved that kids get a goody bag at the end. I hope they do this next year. The mansion was also decorated beautifully for the holidays and smelled like…
Really cool museum. Stark contrast to the neighborhood around it as this is a very impressive estate. A lot of history, You can learn quite a bit going here. It is nice how they have preserved the styling of the rooms woth period…
Came across the Belair Mansion while looking for things to do with my boys on their Christmas break and saw an elf hunt. This was a super cute experience that they enjoyed as well as an opportunity for them to take in some of the local…
From 106 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- Belair Mansion is a living museum housed in a 1745 governor's residence, interpreting local life across more than 200 years (1747-1950)
- The mansion's collection includes a table crafted by renowned Annapolis craftsman John Shaw, an 18th-century portrait by John Wollaston, and paintings of 'The Seasons' given by Lord Baltimore
- Belair Mansion hosts seasonal interactive events like a Christmas Elf Hunt that engages families with period-appropriate activities and includes complimentary goody bags for children
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