The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council

Events On The Lower Shore!

The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council sponsors 70th Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage Tour

Now in its 70th year, the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage will offer visitors the chance to tour some of Maryland's finest houses, gardens and historic landmarks. Eleven exceptional properties in Somerset and Worcester Counties will be open on May 13, 2007 for tours. As in previous years, Pilgrimage tours represent virtually every period of American history, from earliest Colonial times to the present day.

This year's tour includes the following historic house and garden sites:

Somerset County
Brentwood Farm (NR) 14234 Allen Road. This two-story Flemish bond brick house, c.1738, stands on a prominent bank overlooking the Wicomico Creek..
Harrington (NR) c. 1750 28626 Polk's Road. This frame three-bay plantation's exterior is so simple that the elaborate Georgian paneling that still graces the interior hall, parlor and library comes as a surprise, as do the high dark ceilings with their exposed beaded floor joists.
Beckford (NR) c. 1803, 11700 Mansion Street. Beckford stands on the periphery of Princess Anne among mature trees and boxwood. The five-room house is finished in the highest order with elaborate Federal style woodwork and plaster decorations.
The Merchant House of Littleton and Ann Long (NRHD) c. 1829. 11696 Church Street. Built by prosperous merchant Littleton Long and his wife Ann, the house is a fine example of Federal and Greek Revival architecture.
Somerset House (John W. Crisfield House) (NRHD) c. 1852 and earlier, 20536 Washington Street. Built in 1852 by Congressman John W. Crisfield, this house was moved to its current site in 1929. Near the front door is a gingko tree that was a gift from Crisfield's close friend and colleague, Henry Clay, around the time the house was built.

Worcester County
Samuel Gunn House (NR) c. 1780 200 West Market Street. Distinguished as one of the oldest and perhaps best preserved of the 18th century town dwellings in the county, the site hall/double-pile frame house boasts intact rooms with superior late Georgian-style finishes.
The Gables c. 1850. 303 West Federal Street. Known as the Fook's House, this single family residence is one of the few Arts and Crafts houses in the area.
Governor John Walter Smith House (NR) c. 1889-1890, 104 South Church Street. This house is an expansive two and one-half story Queen Anne frame. Encircling the house on several sides is a Tuscan-columned wrap-around porch and extended to the rear is a two and one-half story service wing.
Walter P. Snow House C. 1850 107 West Federal Street. The Walter P. Snow House, also know as The Cedars is an unusual frame dwelling for Snow Hill. Built around 1850, the large two-story, T-shaped frame house follows an ambitious plan, with a traverse stair hall connecting generous rooms at each end of the house.
Cropper-Insley House, Jacqueline Avenue. Built in 1941 and newly renovated and restored in 2005, the house is now enjoyed by three generations of Cropper descendants. The back patio, with its surrounding garden, is a grand place to enjoy the magnificent sunsets on the bay.
Hales's Grove (NR) c. 1792, 7918 Stephen Decatur Highway. Situated in a pastoral setting facing Sinepuxent Bay, Assateague Island and the Atlantic Ocean beyond, Hale's Grove survives with an exceptional Federal-Style plantation house built during the late 18th century.

Along with this interesting variety of houses, the Pilgrimage features gardens of all designs and sizes.
Proceeds from Pilgrimage tours benefit the restoration of important buildings and gardens throughout Maryland.

Visitors can obtain a pre-tour book outlining the tour dates by calling the Pilgrimage office at (410) 821-6933 or by accessing the Pilgrimage website at www.mhgp.org. A comprehensive guidebook may be obtained by sending $5.00 to Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage, 1105A Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286-1790. Properties will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm rain or shine. Tickets for the day's tour are $25.00 each, include a tour book and may be purchased in advance at Pilgrimage Headquarters or at any house on the day of the tour. Lunch information will be available on the day of the tour at each house. Visitors wanting information about overnight accommodations in each tour location can call the Maryland office of Tourism at (800) 543-1036. Visitors interested in taking the tour of Somerset and Worcester counties on May 13 may call (410)67704706.

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