Beall–Dawson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beall–Dawson House
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Beall–Dawson house, January 2005
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 103 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville, Maryland |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1815 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000933 |
| Added to NRHP | March 30, 1973 |
The Beall–Dawson House is a historic home located in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a two-and-a-half-story house built in the Federal style. The front of the house is made of special brickwork called Flemish bond, while other parts use common brick.
This house was built in 1815. Today, it serves as the main office for the Montgomery County Historical Society. They keep the house as a historic house museum, showing what life was like in the early 1800s. The house also has areas that were once living spaces for enslaved people. There are also two rooms with changing exhibits about local history.
The Beall–Dawson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is an important historical site.
On the property, you can also find the Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine. This is a small, one-room doctor's office. It displays medical tools, furniture, and books from the 1800s and early 1900s.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Beall–Dawson House
Building a Grand Home
The Beall–Dawson House was built around 1815. It was made for Upton Beall, his wife, and their daughters. Mr. Beall came from a well-known family in Georgetown. He was the Clerk of the Court for the county.
He wanted a home that would show his wealth and importance. In 1815, Rockville was a small farming town. Even so, it was the county seat and an important crossroads. Beall's large brick home was built to impress. It stood overlooking Commerce Lane, which is now West Montgomery Avenue.
Life with the Beall and Dawson Families
Upton Beall passed away in 1827. The house then belonged to his wife, Jane, and their three daughters. Their names were Mathilda, Jane Elizabeth, and Margaret. Jane Beall never married again. Her three daughters also never married. They lived in the house their whole lives.
After Mathilda and Jane Elizabeth passed away, Margaret Beall invited her cousin, Amelia Somervell, to live with her. Amelia married John L. Dawson, a local farmer. They lived in the house with their nine children. Eight of their children grew up there.
When the last of Beall's daughters passed away in the late 1800s, she left the house to three of Amelia Somervell-Dawson's daughters. This kept the tradition of three sisters owning the house.
As money became difficult, the Dawsons used the house to earn income. They started a restaurant in the front yard. They also taught dancing lessons to children in the neighborhood. They even took in people who needed a place to stay. Despite their efforts, the house started to show signs of neglect.
Restoring and Preserving the House
The last of the Dawson sisters passed away. The house was then sold to the Davis family in 1946. The Davises were looking for a house to fix up. They began to restore the house to its original grand look.
The family brought back much of the house's original style. They also added a new part to the side. This new section had a modern kitchen. The original kitchen became the family's dining room.
After Edwin Davis passed away, Mrs. Davis decided to sell the house. The City of Rockville bought it. The house then became the main office for the Montgomery County Historical Society. They continue to care for this important piece of history.
See also
In Spanish: Casa Beall-Dawson para niños
