Belmont Estate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belmont Manor and Historic Park |
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| Type | County |
| Location | Elkridge, Maryland |
| Area | 68-acre (0.28 km2) |
| Created | April 11, 2015 |
| Operated by | Howard County |
| Status | Open |
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Belmont Estate
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Elkridge, Maryland |
| Built | 1730 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Georgian, Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Lawyers Hill Historic District (ID93001000) |
| Added to NRHP | September 23, 1993 |
The Belmont Estate, now known as Belmont Manor and Historic Park, is a special historic site. It is located in Elkridge, Maryland, in Howard County, Maryland. This place was once a large farm where enslaved people were forced to work.
It was started in the 1730s. Back then, it was called "Moore's Morning Choice." The main house, built in 1738, is a beautiful example of old Colonial Georgian style architecture. It is one of the best examples in Maryland.
From the late 1600s until 1962, private families owned Belmont. Important people like Caleb Dorsey and David K. E. Bruce lived here. After that, different groups owned it, including the Smithsonian Institution.
Today, Belmont Manor and Historic Park covers 68 acres. Howard County owns and operates it. It is next to Patapsco Valley State Park. The estate has the Belmont Manor House, a carriage house, a cottage, a large barn, pretty gardens, a pond, and an aqua garden.
Belmont is listed on the Maryland Historical Trust Inventory of Historic Properties. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic site.
Contents
History
Early Years (17th–19th Century)
Dr. Mordecai Moore helped start the Society of Friends in Maryland. In 1695, he received a large piece of land from King William III. This land was called Moore's Morning Choice. It sat on a ridge with views of the Patapsco River valley.
Around 1735, Caleb Dorsey bought this land and another area called Rockburn. Caleb Dorsey was an early business owner and farmer. He ran iron forges and furnaces near Elkridge. Caleb Dorsey and his sons forced many enslaved people to work on the land. They grew crops for money.
In 1738, Caleb Dorsey, Jr. built the house he named "Belmont." Iron was also produced on the property. Caleb Dorsey and his wife were buried at Belmont. Later, Caleb Dorsey Jr.'s son Edward inherited the property and the enslaved people. Edward then gave the property to his daughter, Priscilla. She was married to Alexander Contee Hanson, a United States senator.
After the American Civil War, Belmont became a social hub for wealthy people. Many lawyers built homes nearby in an area called "Lawyer's Hill". From 1873 to 1880, Charles Grosvenor Hanson let the house fall into disrepair. An old copy of a George Washington portrait hung in the house for 100 years. It was sold in 1913. Howard Bruce was the last private owner. He bought the house in 1918.
Belmont Conference Center
For many years, Belmont was used as a conference center. This is a place where groups meet for discussions and events.
Smithsonian Institution (1962–1982)
In 1962, David K. E. Bruce, a former ambassador, owned Belmont. He sold the property for $500,000. Then he gave Belmont and 339 acres to the Smithsonian Institution for just $5.00. The Smithsonian used it as a conference center.
The Belmont Conference Center opened in 1964. It was used almost constantly until 2010. Many conferences, weddings, and meetings were held there. For example, in 1976, a conference about research involving people took place. The important Belmont Report came partly from this meeting. It set rules for ethical research.
American Chemical Society (1982–2004)
In 1982, the Smithsonian Institution sold Belmont to the American Chemical Society for $2 million. The American Chemical Society continued to run it as a conference center.
The John Clare Society of North America held their first international conference there in 2003. This group studies the works of English poet John Clare.
Howard Community College (2004–2012)
In 2004, the American Chemical Society sold Belmont to Howard Community College (HCC) for $5.2 million. The college used it for cooking classes. They also continued to operate the conference center.
In 2010, Howard Community College announced they could no longer afford Belmont. This was due to money problems. Howard County had loaned the college money for the purchase. The county then studied if they could buy and run the property.
Belmont Manor and Historic Park Today
On May 30, 2012, Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman announced the county would buy Belmont. They traded the $2.6 million debt and $89,000 cash for the property. The sale was completed on June 21, 2012. The county sold 13 acres to developers. They kept 68 acres of the original property.
In 2012, Kenneth Ulman said Belmont would join other county nature spots. These include the Howard County Conservancy and the James and Anne Robinson Nature Center.
Howard County then created Belmont Manor and Historic Park in 2012. The County's Department of Recreation and Parks runs the park. It is used for conferences, weddings, private parties, and environmental education. The Manor opened to the public in April 2015.
Historic Preservation
Many groups have worked to protect Belmont Estate's history. These include the Rockburn Land Trust and Preservation Howard County. They help make sure this important place is cared for.
Fred Dorsey, a descendant of the original owners, is the president of Preservation Howard County. He believes the county is the right owner to care for the historic property. One challenge is maintaining the outside of the house, which has old lead paint.
Historic Designations
The first historic site nomination for Belmont was done in the 1970s. This was for the Maryland Historical Trust. More research and updates were done in 2010.
The Belmont Manor House and Estate are on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is part of the Lawyers Hill Historic District in Elkridge, Maryland. This district was added to the NRHP on September 23, 1993.
