Established in 1936 by its first Master, Benjamin H. C. Bowie, and a core group of founding and charter members, Marlborough Hunt Club is dedicated to the tradition, camaraderie, and sport of fox chasing. Located in Southern Maryland, The Marlborough Hunt Club's fox hunting territory takes in Prince George's, Anne Arundel, and parts of Calvert and Charles counties. 

 

The Kennels and turn-of-the-century Clubhouse are situated on Hunt Club property along the western shore of the Patuxent River near Hill’s Bridge, east of Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County.  Marlborough Hunt Club was established in 1936 and recognized in 1949 by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America.

 

Today, the Marlborough hunt country covers about 25 square miles and takes in parts of Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Calvert counties. It is bounded on the north approximately by U.S. Highway 50, on the east by the Chesapeake Bay, on the west by the District of Columbia and the Potomac River, and south easterly to the town of Dares Beach in Calvert county. Marlborough’s country consists of rolling fields and pastures and woodland coverts. We have earned a reputation for hosting a collection of fixtures that offer both challenges for advanced fox hunters as well as a welcoming introduction to those new to the pursuit. 

 

The origins of fox chasing in our territory start much, much earlier than the official establishment of Marlborough Hunt Club. Roger Brooke Taney, a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the early 1800s, fell in love with the sport as early as 1795 and hunted territories shared by Marlborough and our neighbor to the south, De La Brooke. An excerpt from his memoir describing his experience fox hunting on this land can be read in our history book, “The Marlborough Hunt Club” by Barbara Smith, available for purchase here. This book celebrates every fieldmaster, huntsman, staff, and charter member, and shares notable stories and photos from our nearly 90 years of establishment. 

 

Other historical figures who enjoyed fox hunting in Maryland, Virginia, and beyond range from George Washington, who bred his own hounds near Mount Vernon, to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who was a guest with Marlborough in 1970. 

 

establishment of the clubhouse and kennels

 

Not all clubs boast the privilege of a home base. In fact, in the first years of inception, MHC did not have the clubhouse, kennels or grounds. Meetings were originally held at the founding and charter member's homes. Eventually a search committee was established to find suitable land for the Hunt Club in Prince George’s County.  In 1950, the Patuxent Gun & Rod Club happened to be selling off a portion of their land along the western shore of the Patuxent River near Hill’s Bridge, east of Upper Marlboro. After successful negotiations, MHC was able to purchase this property and establish what is today the renovated and expanded turn-of-the-century clubhouse, extensive kennels, beautiful outside show grounds and hunt course, stables, Huntsman's home and party pavilion. 

 

These grounds now host MHC’s base fixture (named “The Kennels,” this covert shares ground with the neighboring historic Billingsly mansion), as well as frequent social gatherings all year ‘round. From impromptu bonfires to weddings and holiday soirées, the clubhouse and kennels have served as a second home to generations of MHC members.