Past Projects
For five decades, the Trust has been involved in preservation projects throughout Somerset County.
Click on property photos for more details
Glebe/Samuel Chase House c 1784
restoration of historic property
The Glebe House is architecturally significant reflecting late 18th century vernacular building traditions on the lower Eastern Shore. It also figures historically in the development of the Episcopal Church of Somerset County as the only surviving 18th century dwelling erected as an official glebe on the Eastern Shore. Episcopal ministers were provided shelter and profits from the glebe during their terms of service.
The house has also traditionally been known as the 'Samuel Chase' House but there's actually no proven link to the historic figure - but since it's well-known by that name we have kept the reference.
In 2022 the Trust purchased the property and considered relocating and restoring the building within the Princess Anne area. After consultation with the house mover, it was not feasible to move the building but fortunately they knew of a prospective buyer. The Trust was able to sell the property to T.J. and Frances Mumford, who are currently doing substantial restoration of the property, including moving another historic structure to serve as a kitchen ell on the back of the house. Restoration should be completed by 2024 and we're happy to see the building remain in its original location with an historically sensitive restoration.
The Waddy House c 1756
Relocation of historic property
The Waddy House, also known as the Williamson farm or the Jarvis Ballard house, is one of a small collection of mid-18th century brick houses surviving in Somerset County, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
This group of early houses represent the most expensive dwellings erected at the time and exhibit finely executed Flemish bond walls, glazed checker board pattern brickwork, and finely crafted interior paneling. Compared to the other eight houses in this group, the Waddy House is the least altered, and exhibits the fine glazed header Flemish bond wall construction and an alternating glazed brick segmental arch pattern found at the grand properties of "Almodington" and "Arlington."
The four-room first floor interior retains a significant portion of its mid-18th century woodwork with a turned baluster stair and a raised-panel overmantel in the parlor.
When the house was scheduled for demolition in 2018, the Trust was able to save it by moving it to a nearby property on Perryhawkin Road in Princess Anne.
Additional Info
Delmarva Now article - How do you move a historic Somerset house down the road?
Maryland Historic Trust - National Register Waddy House S-87
Cottman-Pinkett House c 1885
restoration of historic property
The Cottman-Pinkett House is an historic property restored and rehabilitated by the Somerset County Historical Trust with the help and support of the Maryland Historical Trust and several other organizations.
Directly west of the Littleton Long House, it is a two-story, three-bay frame house built for Isaac and Priscilla Cottman around 1884-85, just two decades after the Civil War. They were able to secure a loan of $150 that enabled them to have a dwelling of their own.
Later the house was owned by the Pinketts, whose relatives still live in the area and one of their descendants the well-known celebrity Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Trust began restoration in 2006. They removed the exterior siding that had been added, uncovering the second front door. Every effort was made to restore the original fabric of the house, including the back-turned stair and much of the woodwork in the kitchen. The cabinets were designed and built by Woody Howard, a Somerset County craftsman.
The property was subsequently rented until 2019, when it was sold to a private buyer.
Littleton Long House c1830
Relocation of historic property
The multi-phase restoration of the Littleton Long house in Princess Anne was an intensive project that saved this important Federal/ Greek Revival dwelling from potential demolition, and now it is a showcase of architectural restoration.
The property was purchased by the Trust in 1995 and moved in 1997 from its original location on Somerset Avenue one block onto Church Street. Extensive restoration was done, and in 2004 was sold to a private owner who continued with interior & exterior restoration, including addition of a third back section and historic landscaping including a formal parterre, extensive herb, perennial and vegetable gardens and a woodland border.
The house is of Federal/Greek Revival design from 1830, and one of the many gable-end style homes to be found in Princess Anne inspired by the Teackle Mansion. It features a transverse hall - fashionable on the Lower Eastern Shore - double parlors, restored faux-painted tiger maple and mahogany wood-grained doors and stairs, historic wallpapers, and reconstructed period hearth kitchen.
Brittingham House c 1817
restoration of historic property
The Thomas Brittingham House was purchased by the Trust in 1994, and restored and sold to private buyers. It is located in the historic area of Princess Anne, MD.
Teackle Mansion c1802
restoration of historic property
The Teackle Mansion is the 200-year old former residence of Littleton Dennis Teackle and Elizabeth Upshur Teackle.
The house exceeded, in many ways, most private residences of its day; only the wealthiest Eastern Shore gentry of the early nineteenth century could afford to build on such a scale. The Teackles lovingly called the property "Teackletonia."
Construction began in the spring of 1802 and continued over a 17-year period. The five part home was finally finished in 1819. The Neo-Classical-inspired center section of the dwelling sits on an elevated foundation and showcases an intricately detailed front with a strictly symmetrical, temple-form facade. Decorative molded plaster tablets and carefully executed, hand-carved woodwork enhance the Flemish bond exterior. The symmetry of the exterior continues in the interior, most noticeably in the entrance hall and formal drawing room, with mirrored false windows and matching non-functioning doors for appearance only.
A large master chamber suite includes individual dressing rooms on either side of a marble bath intended for full body bathing, a rare luxury relatively unknown in earth 19th century America.
Additional Info
Maryland Historic Trust - Inventory of Historic Properties Teackle Mansion S-10
Maryland Historic Trust - National Register Teackle Mansion S-10
Timeline
2023
- Significant progress on Teackle Letter Project with research website now in place
- Research and initial discussions on potential acquisition of historic property needing restoration
2022
- Purchase of Glebe/Samuel Chase House and sale to new owner for restoration
- Digital scanning of historic home files for added security and access to public
2021
- Trust facilitated grant to Mt. Zion Church for roof project and interior mold remediation
- Salvage items for sale listed in 'The Store Room' on website
2020
- Work began on transcription of Mrs. Teackle's letter collection
2019
- Transition to new Trust leadership after passing of Gale Yerges
- Revision of bylaws to reflect new organization mission and goals
- Communication committee developed new website, quarterly newsletters, improved communication to members
2018
- Waddy House saved
2016
- Work on Somerset County 350th anniversary celebration
- Crisfield-Smith Island Survey research by Paul Touart
2015
- Restoration of St. Marks Church with Sharon Upton
2013
- 1812 Commemoration driving tours and brochures
- St. Mark’s Church
- Disaster Relief Grant Program
- Maryland Threatened Sites Surveys I and II
2010
- Began partnership with Princess Anne Main Street
2006
- Cottman-Pinkett House restoration
- Archaeology project at Thornton site
2002
- Architectural project at Thornton site
2000
- Samuel Chase markers
1998
- Hosted Vernacular Architectural Forum
- Crisfield Masonic Temple restoration
1997
- Ward Brothers Homeplace
- Gov. J. Millard Tawes Homeplace
- Received grant and opened Somerset Choice Station antiques consignment shop
1996-1998
- Eastern Shore Archeological Survey (1996)
- Littleton Long House restoration
1994
- Thomas Brittingham House restoration
1991
- Hosted Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage
- St. James Methodist Church restoration
1990
- Production and publication by Trust of Somerset: An Architectural History by Paul Touart
- Two architectural history awards
- Managed grant for Fairmount Academy Association’s restoration of property
1988
- Dendrochronology lecture
- First annual Antiques Show 1988-1993
- Onset of annual fundraising Trust galas
1987-1990
- Host of Smithsonian Tour to the Eastern Shore (1987)
- Historic churches nominations
1986
- Began annual educational lectures “Evenings At”
1984
- Stabilization of Rehobeth Episcopal Church ruins
- Host of Smithsonian Tour to the Eastern Shore
- 12 properties submitted to National Register
- Published booklet ‘Somerset Images’
1983
- Beginning of hundreds of structures and district nominations for National Register with Paul Touart
- Annual bus tours to historic sites & museums
1982
- Beginning of hundreds of structures and district nominations for National Register with Paul Touart
- Annual bus tours to historic sites & museums
1976
- 15 properties added to National Register since 1971
SOMERSET COUNTY HISTORICAL TRUST
PO Box 863 | Princess Anne | MD 21853