Programs and Events
Chestertown Historic House Tour
Saturday, October 1, 2011 1-5 PM
This delightful afternoon, walking the streets of the charming colonial river port affirms the Historical Society's successful nomination of Chestertown's Historic District as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
Tour Tickets........................ $25.00 Advance Sale
Day of Tour Tickets............. $30.00
Box Lunch & Tour.............. $35.00 Advance Sale
Lecture, Lunch & Tour....... $45.00 Advance Sale
Groups of 20 or more:
$22.00 for tour tickets
$32.00 for lunch & tour, advance sale.
Tickets for lunch must be purchased in advance
Historical Society of Kent County members enjoy
advance sale rates, regardless of time purchased.
Tickets are available by mail or by phone at
the Historical Society of Kent County. After
September 1, tickets are also available at
Scotties Shoe Store and at the Geddes-Piper
House in Chestertown. On tour day, tickets
will be sold at a booth in Fountain Park at
Cross and High Streets in Chestertown. All
ticket sales are non-refundable; the event
will take place rain or shine. We accept Visa
and Mastercard. For more information, call
410-778-3499,
For tickets by mail, please include $1.25 shipping and handling.
Mail checks made payable to the Historical Society of Kent County
PO Box 665, Chestertown, MD 21620
properties on this year's tour are listed below. More will be added as they become available.
Sterling Castle–103 S. Mill Street. Circa 1756
Built in two periods, this one-and-a-half story private home represents two-thirds of the only remaining telescope house in Chestertown. It has wide-graduated, beaded clapboarding and multi-paned windows. The earliest section, ca. 1756, was built for Robert Sterling, a lieutenant in His Majesty’s 48th Regiment. A new wing was added in 1964 by Mrs. Adelaide Shaughnessy who also installed a Federal mantel brought from Frederick County on the western shore. HHKC, K-73, p. 160. Owner: Nancy McDonald McGuire.
The Custom House–Corner of High & Water Streets.
Circa 1745
Prominently located on the Chester River, the Custom House has played a major role in the town’s commercial and civic history. In the 1970s, Wilbur Ross Hubbard completed a major restoration. He bequeathed the property to Washington College, which will insure the Custom House remains
a vibrant part of the community. HHKC, p. 144, K-9.
Hynson-Ringgold House–Water and Cannon Streets. Circa early 1740’s
Since the 1940’s this massive house has been the home of Washington College presidents. Formerly called “The Abbey,” it is named for Nathaniel Hynson, Jr., early owner of the lot, and Thomas Ringgold, Jr., a wealthy merchant and lawyer. Ringgold purchased the house from William Murray who constructed the river-facing section in the early 1740’s. Ringgold added the Cannon Street sections in the late 1760’s, tripling its footprint. He was responsible for the interesting mahogany antler stair, as well as the remodeled northeast side of the Murray house.
The original Ringgold Parlor paneling was removed and installed in the Baltimore Museum of Art. The paneling was replicated to restore the intended appearance to the room, though craftsmanship of the early era could be represented but not matched. On the national Register of Historic Places, Hynson-Ringgold House has been visited by prominent persons throughout its long history and was at one time home to Judge James Alfred Pearce whose family includes a U.S. Senator of the same name. George Washington stayed overnight in Chestertown at least once with the Ringgold family. Research suggests that this was the house, foremost among several Ringgold properties. HHKC, K-8, p. 138. . Owner: Washington College.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church– Cross Street facing Fountain Park
On November 9, 1780, a convention of clergy and laymen met here at the call of the incumbent rector, William Smith, D.D., to proclaim the former Church of England in the American Colonies independent of the British crown. That convention adopted the name Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The first church to occupy this site was completed by 1707; the present building dates from 1772. The walls of the nave give an idea of the impressive dimensions of the colonial church. There have been extensive additions made to the 1772 building. Of special note are the fine memorial tablet in the north wall and the Tiffany window in the south wall. HHKC, K-51, p.201.
102 Riverside Terrace
Additional houses on the tour.
Emmanuel Church—Cross Street
Smith-Ringgold House—201 Water Street
Moore House—200 N. Water Street
Wallis-Wickes House—High & Water Streets
Halliday-Carrigan House—99 Kent Street
Hopkins House— 536 High Street
Gardner-Brandon House—522 High Street
Brockschmidt House—117 N Queen Street
Christ United Methodist Church—High & Mill Streets
Mizeur House— 403 Cannon Street
Patrick Hentry House—103 N. Queen Street
For more information:
410-778-3499
director@kentcountyhistory.org