CT-7

Rose Hill, site, (Keene's Retreat, Strawberry Hill)

Architectural Survey File

This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse-

chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National

Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation

such as photographs and maps.

Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site

architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at

the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft

versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a

thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research

project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment.

All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Last Updated: 10-29-2003

MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST

INVENTORY FORM FOR STATE HISTORIC SITES SURVEY

UN AME HISTORIC

Jose :Iill \. C.:.\"Ji) , Keene's Retreat AND/OR COMMON

Strawberry Hill

llLOCATION STREET 8t NUMBER

CITY.10WN

Dnnkjrk

~ CONGRESIONAL DISTRICT

VICINITY OF

STATE

Maryland

DcLASSIFICATION

- . l>UA.Jc

COU NTY

Calvert

CATEGORY _ DISTRICT

-8UILDINGISI

_STRUCTURE

-SITE

OWNERSHIP STATUS PRESENT USE

-OBJECT

_ PUBLIC - OCCUPIED

_ PAIVA TE _UNOCCUPIED

_BOTH _ WORK IN PROGRESS

PUBLIC ACQUISITION ACCESSIBLE _IN PROCESS -YES: RESTRICTED

- BEING CONSIDERED - YES· UNRESTRICTED

_ NO

DOWNER OF PROPERTY NAME

STREET 8t NUMBER

CITY TOWN

_ VICINITY OF

llLOCA TION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS.ETC.

STREET 8t NUMBER

CITY. TOWN

II REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE

DATE

-AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM

_COMMERCIAL _ PARK

-EDUCATIONAL _ PRIVATE RESIDENCI

_ENTERTAINMENT -RELIGIOUS

_GOVERNMENT _ SCIENTIFIC

_INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION

_ MILITARY _ OTHER

Telephone # :

STATE I zip code

Liber #: Folio #:

STATE

_FEDERAL -5TATE _COUNTY _LOCAL

DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS

CITY. TOWN STATE

II DESCRIPTION

_EXCELL£ NT

_GOOD

_ FAIR

CONDITION )A~ OU~

_ DETERIORATED

_ RUINS

_ UNEXPOSED

_UNALTERED

-ALTERED

JN CT-1

CHECK ONE

_ ORIGJ .. AL SITE

_ MOVED DATE'---

DESCRIBE THE PRESENT ANO ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

The main dwelling at Rose Hill (nov, called St~wberry Hill) was demolished in · and repl ced by a modern solit-level dweflui , makin it the third house

on that site. See CL T- 7,(Brinkman)for ~ormation on previous houses.

There are seven other bui:ldings on the property which are historically and architecturally ~ortant. This farm is the last in the area of old Smithville (Dunkirk) still in the possession of the Smi~h family. Besides the main houoc , there is

Building A. A stable measuring 20 ' x 30 '. The exterior iG board and batten. The interior contains ei ht atullo sep ratud by a center aisle on the first level and there is a ha loft above.

Buildin£ B. A tobacco barn n.easurin 40 ' x 48 ' and constructed 01' machine cut limber th t is nailed together. rt hss the :familiar three part plan with the center portion containing opposite a andard double doors measuring c. 92 x 121 •

Every fourth or fifth bonrd of t e vertical siding is mounted on butt-hinges.

Building c. This board and batten structure appears in a 1925 photograph in the Smith family papers. The boards average 9'2 inches in width und the battens ~ inches. There appear to have b ... en any alterations and repait·s although the south facade apnears to be in oriuina.1. condition.

Tne structure is built into the aide of a hill , t us it is like a German bank barn in that it is one storJ it;h on one side but two stor:.es on the other. The semi- subterannean level provides a concrete foundation 8 1 in height.

Building D. This may be the oldest structurqon the farm; its dates are at least t.ose of the second houve th twas built ufter the fire of 1780. It is constructed of overlapping clapbonrds no:i.led to a post- and- beam _rame which is made of hand-hewn timber~ joined via mortise- end- tenon with trwmels .

Exposed ro.fters ond size su est that this was a me t houoe and fa'lli.ly traditioJ supports this claim. The buildin • in 101 511 square with 6 ' walls.

_years Building E. L:rs . Mettan ho is~old and has spent r;ruch yeera of her life at

Rose Hill says th4l.t thio tennant house was built c. 1916. Some changes haYc taken place since then. In its present st te , it is T-shapcd in plan ~ i th the front (S) being three bays and one deep. The entrance is in the center of the front facade and a four posted porch runs the entire len th.

There is a rear (N) portion of the houoe 16 1 in length and 14' in .vid th. A porch, which has been enclosed occuoies the northeast corner of this ''~g and measure~7 ' x 9 '. Both front and back portions of the house are 2 stories high with A- frame gable-end roofs . l'here is no fire pl ce althou h there is a chiI:ll'l to f ciliate ~ood and co~ stoves .

Buildinf; F . A tonqcco ba..""!'! '!"e .~ar:!. 28 ' x 44 1 , three part in plan with

co3~IN1tieo~.,0sE:PA.RiTE scHEE~ ..;i~ "- iE:c~ssfu · c. 10' x 121

• The frame is machine

II SIGNIFICANCE cr-1

PERIOD AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE - CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW

_PREHISTORIC --ARCHEOLUl.iY·PREHISTORIC _COMMUNITY PL.ANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _ RELIGION

_1400-1499 --ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _ CONSERVATION _ LAW _ SCIENCE • - 1500· 1599 --AGRICULTURE _ ECONOMICS _LITERATURE

- 1600-1699 -ARCHITECTURE - EDUCATION _MILITARY

, _ l 700· 1799 -ART _ENGINEERING _MUSIC

_ SCULPTURE

_ SOCIAUHUMANITARIAN

_ THEATER

_TRANSPORTATION

_ OTHER !SPECIFY)

_1800-1899 _COMMERCE -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _ PHILOSOPHY

_ 1900- _COMMUNICATIONS _ INDUSTRY _POUTICSIGOVERNMENT

_INVENTION

SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER/ARCHITECT

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

~'he deterioration an :JUbse .uent demolition of the mu.in dselling at •. os Hill certainly di'miniehed the effcctivenecs of the far. to act as a vi:mal document of' ... ocul. Ji stor;' and '"rinl:! eenth Cent-.r.) rw:al. l.Lte , buj; the farm is not totally voi d of this bil tJ . There re in f ct s ven other struct ... r,. ... re.:-.ai.'lbg to ~e::. ti.le story o:!' t • ...is th\.! 1 .. ,t1r:.Jperty in the Ticinity of old Smithville to remain in e o ith .fw..ily.

The :farm is on lond \, i<.;h ,o; s part of the oriuinal Smith gi:-ant .

CONTINUE ON SEPARATE SHEET IF NECESSARY

0 -l IJMAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

CONTINUE ON SEf ~TE SHEET IF NECESSARY

lllJGEOGRAPIDCAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY--------

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION

LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES

STATE COUNTY

STATE COUNTY

mroRM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE

ORGANIZATION DATE

STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE

CITY OR TOWN STATE

The Maryland Historic Sites Inventory was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature, to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41, Section 181 KA, 1974 Supplement.

The Survey and Inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only and do not constitute any infringe­ment of individual property rights.

RETURN TO: Maryland Historical Trust The Shaw House, 21 State Circle Annapolis, Maryland 21401 (301) 267-1438

.... 1101

r

. r

CT-(

circulll' cut and nailed.

Building G. Al so a tobacco barn and appearc to be older than Building F, L"a-s . !iettam that the oldest barn on the property is on the hill "back t oward Adees" (Building H) and dotes from "early 19DO' s" . It is also the larg st and the addition on the south side makes it measure 40 ' x 60 1 in overall size.

Mrs. Mettam s ys thut he. father built another barn and t .. na.nt h us to the west of these buildings but they are no longer str:.nding. An unidentified photo in the Noyes Collection of Smith Family pppers may be that barn .

Building H. This building is repute.' to be slave quaters , although structural analysis ind~cat ed that it is not th~t ol • ~h~ luck o~ a hearth , t·-pes o! nails etc . su...;.;est that the cabir- w s not b: ilt to ho..ise ::.laves.

Nevertheless , the building may well be a l.te 19th Century structure . It is structurally divided into two pcrts, ou esting and a d_ ior. . The west ortion is the largest , it is ttu·ee b:.i.y:3 wide and one deep. "'--e ~oor is central. The The east portic.n io tr.o bays wide and one deep \":ith one _oor and one v:indo·:: on the fro~t (s) facade . Both portions ~oro a one-sto~y b~ildin, .easurine 38 1 611 in timbers are visible in the WC;)St portion, the wi ... down o.re 4/4 and the chi ;ney bricks f).pne <I' to be older than trioae on the east chi ne The wL dews in the cast portion "1"e 6/L; t er• is w~v· l ass in both.

The b •• ildings is in a a-.:o.te f near ruin:; and 'the numerouo patch_.::i etc . result in various types of siding , owev r , the olde t appeJ s to be butt joined. Some square head nails are visible amon~ the i:::any t. pes us d. Evidence of ~hitewash around the sophing sug.~eots that ut one point the c~bin was painted.

Llrs . Metta.m remembers two other build .. n...,s at Rose Hill which were called ;;lave quate s . One was "directly left of (the) Maple tr eby (the) strawbc:::ries (where there is now an 11b0Ye t>TOil.'ld swimm. n.; po 1.) It had huge cbimncy-open hearth (with) cupboards on either side. All clothes (w~re) stored in trunks there. "

Another building was "by peach tr~es ove ~· by the tenant hoJse (Building E)" and it had "huge ste s , three doors and chi.mne:/s (on) both ends and middle. " These excer~ts taken fro~ L'irs . Met~am to Mrs. Hoyes on ~ay , 1976 in response to questions asked by this surve./or •

,,,'"""''"'

I.LI l'-1 ;;:; I.LI ::::?: <( .,, lL 0 1-1.1.l w I .,, z 0 0 UJ D 0 <(

w m >­...;; :::<: .,, I n. <( a:

'\

' 0 J:. n. 0 z < z 2 I­<(

:le ;L 0 l.L z _J <( 1-:z w :::<: UJ ..J 0.. n. ::::i ..,,

~·~~~--~~~·~~~~~~~~-~~~-,-~~~--~~~~--~~~--~----~~~l

1. STATE r0/Iar

1ylantd HISTORIC AME~~~~t~~~~~DINGS SURVEY

couNTY a ver ·. I rnwN Dunkirk v1c1NJTY .... ~· 2. NAME Rose Hill or Keene's Retreat ,

STREET NO. (T-J! DA TE oR PERIOD Mainhouse ca. 1800 I sTYLECountry late colonial or earltf ORIGINAL owNER Mr. Richard Keene ARCHITECT /Federal BUILDER

ORIGINAL USE Dwelling PRESENT OWNER mrs. Mettam p RESENT USE Dwelling WALL CONSTRUCTION clapboarding NO. OF STORIES 2 1/2 .

3. FOR LIBRARY OF CONGRESS USE

4. NOTABLE FEATURES, HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AN[1 DESCRIPTION OPEN TO PUBLIC no This is a two storey clapboarded house 3 bays long. There is

a central door with an overlight and an exterior chimney on either end of the house. The clapboarding is 19th C. and narrow on the main house. The windows are 9/9. The mantels are early Federal, decorated with oval recessed designs, and slender reeded columns on the side. The door and window frames are pedimented, cut in flat boards in a very simple Greek Revival style. The staircase is early 19th Century. The balusters are simple round ones, but the newel post is an overblovvn Victorian one. The present owner, :Mrs. Mettam, a descendant of the original owner (who obtained the land from the original Smith grant) stales that an older house on the site burned around 1780, and this one was built 10-20 years later. The 2 one storey connecting additioh~ older, 1760 at least, originally a kitchen and small room. The windows are 6/6 and very old bubbly glass. The pitch of the roof is steep • Originally a huge walk-in fireplace was on one end, but this is now gone. This section has vertical beaded panelling on the / interior divider walls and horizontal panelling on the outer wall~ 1

The ceiling has all exposed beams. There is a very small staircase in one corner which leads to the

The boxwood planting on the property was listed as 230 years old in 1930 by the Towson Nurseries. There is a slave cemetery with approximately 50 graves on a hill behind the house. The slaves never.left the house after the Civil War but stayed on. A meathouse behind the house is said to be approx. 150 years old, although it has largely been rebuilt. Mainhouse also has a small Victor;f.an addition. All of the wood used in the house is black walnut which was cut on the property.

5. PHYSICAL CONDITION OF ~TRUCTURE Endangered Interior Exterior

House is deteriorating rapidly - has no central heat and is only occupied during the summer. Owner has no money to repair house and plans to tear down the older one storey section of the house •

~ 6. LOCATION MAP (Pion Qptio.,af)

0. PUBLISHED SOURCES (Author, Title, Pages)

INTERVIEWS, RECORDS, PHOTOS, ETC

7. PHOTOGRAPH 9. NAME, ADDRESS AND TITLE OF RECORDER

Paul A. Brinkman

DATE OF RECORD July ~8, 1967

',). zo " '.!> o' 8. ttQ ~ i B C..zf l< Z"' ~. 10 'S~" ld 1f,'' c. 1~'" 3 z. ~ 1r ~I"- (.-1?!.qA ;ro~.., o )

r. .?( >' 'i'f , ;'

G. 40 I 60 W. 1~ '"" ~ 3S ·,

,-:: ......

r I F

F<: 12..11...;-.1 L_~"t> IN c ·--....----

Ci-7

0 [ ~-,

N

s

CT-7 Rose Hill, site (Keene's Retreat, Strwberry Hill) Lower Marlboro Quad

0 j -I r. ~

()

;c 0.,.-(fl 00 f'l1 0

0 :::r;: -~ r-r--

'l c-\ 0

'7\

\I-() :;;-(j

:'!

I/ c. 1,

. . cl.(/ r;- / ,, ~ ,,

- ------

. - 7 c'-'~ I - / ,, ~ ,,

l ------~----------- ~

~' 1·· -7 c (... v-';:: -7 .... v " ,..

'1 ...., 1.3'

s.~.

: I

·#f

/

l C.t.. V( ;:. 7

~ \

. S .~

/( ,~ p s. (,.

'-·-.. -

s. 1