Hampton Mansion NHS- Towson, MD

Once the largest private home in the United States, Hampton Mansion is still one of the grandest. Considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture remaining in America, over two hundred years after its construction, it still shines. That’s the beauty of classic architecture-it ages gracefully.

Constructed in 1790, the mansion was built on land originally part of the 1695 Northampton land grant, which was sold to Colonial Charles Ridgely in 1745. In time, the estate grew to over 10,000 acres, and included orchards, quarries, gristmills, and an ironworks, which produced cannons and ammunition for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It also produced a significant amount of money, thus the mansion’s construction following the war.

Ridgely himself designed the mansion, which consists of a main block with a pediment topped central pavilion, accented with a Palladian window; two wings are connected to the main block with hypens. Other architectural details include an intricate cornice, scroll decorated dormers, urns, and a cupola. In true Georgian fashion, it’s a study in symmetry.

Unfortunately, Ridgely died the same year the mansion was completed, leaving him little time to enjoy the impressive property. The estate passed to his nephew, Charles Carnan, with the proviso he change his name surname to Ridgely, which he did. Under his ownership, the estate blossomed; six parterres were added on three terraced levels, containing elaborate floral designs. In 1820 an orangery was added, followed by a collection of greenhouses.

Upon his death, the mansion and 4500 acres were left to his son, John Carnan Ridgely, whose wife Eliza purchased many of the items currently on display in the house. A renowned horticulturist, she introduced a variety of exotic trees and shrubs to the estate, brought back from her extensive travels. Many still thrive today, including a Cedar of Lebanon planted in 1840. She also expanded the estate’s gardens, unfortunately relying upon forced labor to maintain them. Following the elimination of slavery in 1864, the estate declined.

In the subsequent decades, many of the gardens were removed, replanted as grass lawns. Although the mansion itself remained in the family until 1948, much of the surrounding agricultural property was sold off to developers, and converted to suburban housing. In 1948, the mansion was designated a National Historic Site on the basis of its architectural importance, and opened to the public in 1949.

In 1979, the National Park Service acquired the property, along with 62 acres containing several original structures. In 2005, the mansion underwent an extensive three year renovation, with several rooms refurnished to reflect the 1830-60 time period. Today, over 7000 items owned by the Ridgley’s are displayed in the refreshed rooms. Shockingly, admission to the grounds and mansion is free, making it the perfect way to spend a spring day.