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.
Advance tickets for the House Tour are $25 for adults and; groups of 25 or more enjoy a discount with advance purchase; tickets will also be available the day of the Tour in Fountain Park for $30.00, or 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
The properties for this year's tour have not been finalized at this time, however you can view the houses from the 2009 tour to see the variety of houses that will be on the tour.
The Historical Society of Kent County maintains the Geddes Piper House as the town’s only historic home regularly open to the public, operates a genealogy and local history library, hosts a variety of great events and membership activities, offers tea and tour packages throughout the year, and encourages respect for the past within a vibrant present - in other words, they make history fun. Call Diane Daniels at 410-778-3499, or visit our web site at www.kentcountyhistory.org.
Historical Society of Kent County
P.O. Box 665 • Chestertown, Maryland 21620
410-778-3499 • director@kentcountyhistory.org
2010 Tour Houses will be available soon.
2009 Tour Houses
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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 has insured the Custom House remains a vibrant part of the community. HHKC, p. 144, K-9. |
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The Hynson-Ringgold House
Water and Cannon Streets
Circa early 1740s
Since the 1940s, this impressive house has been the home of Washington College presidents. On the National Register of Historic Places, the house has been visited by many prominent people, including George Washington, who was a friend of the Ringgold family. The home was once owned by Judge James Alfred Pearce, whose family includes a U.S. Senator of the same name. HHKC, p. 138, K-8 |
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The Wallis-Wickes House
High Street
Circa 1769
On Lot 12 of the original town plat, this 51’ x 43’ double pile brick home is one of the finest in Chestertown. The principal entrance on High Street consists of a three-story, five-bay Flemish bond facade with a molded water table. The stone basement, built into a bank, has two doors opening toward Water Street. The plan of the house is a central stair hall opening to four rooms, each with a diagonal fireplace. |
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River House
107 North Water Street
Circa 1785
River House, built by Thomas Smythe between 1784-87, restored by the Maryland Historic Trust in 1971, has retained most of its original exterior and interior details. The five story house boasts an impressive facade, which includes Flemish bond brick work on the front, as well as the original carved wooden cornices, belt course and water table. |
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The Slaughter House
107 Maple Avenue
1885
Built for Joel and Mary Slaughter, the original home comprised only the present front half, with a summer kitchen in the middle of the yard. The back wing, with the kitchen on the first floor and servants rooms on the second floor, was completed before 1900. Today, the front wing has some of the original wood floors and most of the original plaster. All of the windows in the front wing are original, having been painstakingly restored. |
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The Geddes-Adams House
122 North Queen Street |
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The Nicholson House
111 North Queen Street
Circa 1788
Named for Captain John Nicholson, who served with distinction in the Continental Navy, this handsome Federal house was built in 1788. It was one of the first homes in Chestertown designed as a “townhouse,” with a basement kitchen. |
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The Harris House
109 High Street
Circa 1810
For more than 50 years, the land on which this home stands was used as a service area for the Ringgold family. William Harris bought the lot in 1796 for ₤500, a high price at the time. Built in 1810, this house was initially a three bay, two-story frame structure with a central entrance and a hall-parlor type plan. |
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The Geddes-Piper House
101 Church Alley
Circa 1784
Beloved by the community, the headquarters of the Historical Society of Kent County is a fine example of Federal architecture. Federal is similar to Georgian but reflects the period of transition for the new country, with simpler and more vertical lines. The Historical Society purchased it in 1958 and has restored it to its 18th century elegance. It is the only colonial home in Kent County regularly open to the public. |
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The Drons House
202 Calvert Street |
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The Kestell House
216 North Mill Street |
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