Named after an early settler, Truman Belt, Beltsville is a suburban town between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. It was granted to Richard Snowden in 1649 and developed into a tobacco-growing area. The discovery of iron ore in the early 18th century led to Beltsville supplying cannons for the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Things to do in Beltsville
Beltsville is home to the United States National Agricultural Library, which was established in 1862 following the signing of the Organic Act. A highlight is the Pomological Watercolor Collection, which includes more than 7,500 botanical paintings created between the late-19th and mid-20th centuries. Amanda Newton, Royal Charles Steadman and Ellen Isham Schutt are all represented in the collection.
A short drive south of Beltsville is the Lake Artemesia Natural Area, a picturesque green space that centres around a 15-hectare lake. Its accessible fishing pier is an ideal setting for luring trout, while the aquatic gardens are a must-see. A diverse array of birdlife can be found within the reserve, with most twitchers heading straight to the Luther Goldman Birding Trail.
Sprawling east of Beltsville is the Patuxent Research Refuge, which encompasses more than 5,000 hectares of forest, meadow and wetland habitats. It was established in 1936 to support wildlife research and provides a sanctuary for more than 270 recorded bird species. Visit the National Wildlife Visitor Center to learn about the refuge’s founding by Franklin D. Roosevelt and the research being conducted here.
Getting around Beltsville
Beltsville is around 35 minutes’ drive from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is just 30 minutes away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Beltsville while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.