I am trying to find out infomation about the Old Georgetown Estate
which was in existence during the mid 1800's to the very early 1900's
as farming land for a community of families. The property was located
in Bethesda, Maryland and today is used by (NIH) National Institute of
Health.

If you think that this question has been posted before you are
correct. I am posting this question again to see if I can find any
other missing pieces of information, I haven't collected yet. I am
wondering if anyone knows if their are any books written about the
history of Bethesda especially the grounds of NIH before it was used
as (NIH) National Institute of Health.  Also I would be curious to
know if anyone knows if the Washington Evening star or the washington
Post ever wrote any articles about the history of the old georgetown
estate. I would interested in knowing about when it was known as the
Old Georgetown Estate during the mid 1800's to the very early 1900's.
Such as what life was like, whom lived on the property and how the
land was transfered from being an estate to property used by the
National Institute of Health.

Thank you for taking the time to read my e-mail.

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Clarification of Question by stephenh-ga on 19 Jun 2002 05:03 PDT

Thank you for your information you gave me about the two books which
were written about Bethesda, MD.  Yesterday from another source I
found out about the book "Old Bethesda" written in 1956.  From their I
went to the library yesterday and checked the book out. It help me
grealty. It told me a lot and that if I want to find out more
information I need to know that the land was given to the NIH by the
estate of Mr. and Mrs. Luke I Wilson. I would really like to start
thier and learn about anything I can from that point earlier into the
late or mid 1800's.  How did they get the land, did they own the
entire property and if so how long was it in their family. Also what
else can I learn about the family and the property.  Do you work at
the Maryland Room at the University of Maryland ?  Would you be
interested in doing a little research for me ? Please do let me
know....

Thank you.

Greetings!

I have been researching several questions of historical matter
concerning Bethesda, and finding a real person to provide information
is proving to be quite a daunting task.

I have made many phone calls and sent out many emails to various
people during my searches.  I finally did receive a reply from Kristin
O'Connor, the Bethesda representative of the Planning Commission.  Ms.
O'Connor informed me that the the best person to speak to about the
history of Bethesda is William Offutt, the town historian.

Mr. Offutt has written a book called, "The History of Bethesda".  Ms.
O'Connor says that the book contains information on how to reach Mr.
Offutt, and that the book is available at the library or for purchase
through the Montgomery County Historical Society.  You can reach the
historical society by calling 301-762-1492.

I have also listed a link to Montgomery Miscellenea, where you will be
able to view an article written by Mr. Offutt.  If you will scroll
down to the bottom of the page, it lists information about Mr. Offutt
including his phone number.  I called information to verify that his
number is a valid and working number.
Mr. Offutt invites people to contact him, and even swing by his house,
and he will be happy to answer any questions concerning Bethesda.  His
email address is listed as offuttbill@erols.com, and I did send an
email concerning your question but have yet to receive a reply.  If he
replies to my email I will post his response.

I hope you find this information helpful and it has been a pleasure
helping you with your question.


Links of interest:

Montgomery Miscellenea
Potomac by any other name, by Bill Offutt
http://www.quirksworld.com/mm-mayjun00.html

Washington Post Archives
Various articles on Old Georgetown Estate
http://nl13.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WP&p_theme=wpost&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=500&p_text_search-0=old%20georgetown%20estate&p_field_label-0=Section&s_dispstring=SRCHTXTsection(*)%20AND%20date(last%20185%20days)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=-185qzD&p_perpage=25&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no


Search terms 

old georgetown estate+william offutt
the history of bethesda+william offutt
the history of bethesda+offut
washington evening star+archives
washington post+offutt

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Clarification of Answer by madsky101-ga on 20 Jun 2002 07:18 PDT

Greetings!

I received an email from Mr. Offutt about NIH.

Here is a copy of the email to aid you in your search for information:

"NIH had, and probably has, a historian - when I was researching five
or six years ago it was Dr. Victoria Harden (496-6610)
In Nov. 1984 ((Vol.27 No.4) The Montgomery County Story of the MCHS
published Virginia Moore's memoir which is worth reading.
the MCHS has plat maps and other maps showing owners at various times.
My book, Bethesda A Social History has some good stuff on the Wilson
family
good luck - Bill Offutt "

I hope this information is helpful.


Thank you

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Request for Answer Clarification by stephenh-ga on 20 Jun 2002 09:15 PDT

Hey guys-

I am still looking for any more information anyone can give me at this
subject. I would enjoy hearing from anyone even it is just a few words
that might help me put together some unsolve parts of this mystery I
can't get yet. Such as how long the wilson familed lived at the Old
Georgetown (estate)known better as the treetop estate. Or anything
else that might put together is parts I don't have yet.

Thanks again.

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Clarification of Answer by madsky101-ga on 20 Jun 2002 18:55 PDT

Hello!

As I have stated, I have been trying to find information concerning
different historical facts about Bethesda and surrounding areas.

I have made many, many phone calls and emailed many , many people, and
Mr. Offutt has been the only real person that has offered his
assistance.  Mr. Offutt has provided the name of Dr. Victoria Harden,
and feels that this is the historian that would be able to help you
with your questions.

Unfortunately, as hard as I've tried, this is the best information
that I was able to uncover.  Perhaps another researcher will be able
to assist you from this point forward.

Thank you so much for allowing me to help you, and I am sorry that
this is proving to be so difficult a project.

I hope that you find the answers you are seeking.

Thanks!

madsky101

The University of Maryland, College Park has a "Maryland Room" in
Hornbake Library that might be of interest to you.  Their online
catalog shows the following titles, in addition to the Offutt book
mentioned in a comment to your previous post:

 1.  Old Bethesda 1956, by Holman,D. (F189.B4H6)

 2.  Tales from old Bethesda 1996 by Conway, Neal J.
(PS3553.O5464T35).

I am pretty sure they have materials not included in the catalog as
well.