Bostwick (Bladensburg, Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bostwick
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Bostwick, July 2012
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 Location in Maryland
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| Location | 3901 48th Street, Bladensburg, Maryland |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Architect | Christopher Lowndes |
| Architectural style | Adamesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002082 |
| Added to NRHP | August 19, 1975 |
Bostwick is a very old house in Bladensburg, Maryland. This town is in Prince George's County. A special plaque on the house says it was built in 1746. A man named Christopher Lowndes built it.
Later, Bostwick became home to Benjamin Stoddert. He was Christopher Lowndes' son-in-law. Benjamin Stoddert was also the very first Secretary of the Navy for the United States. This means he was in charge of the country's navy. Another important person, Colonel Thomas H. Barclay, also lived here. Bostwick is the oldest building still standing in Bladensburg. The Market Master's House, also built by Christopher Lowndes, is nearby.
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What Bostwick Looks Like
Bostwick is a two-and-a-half-story house. It is made of brick. The bricks are laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. The house has a basement and a ground floor. Its roof has a gentle slope and small windows called dormers.
Special Features of the House
The front of the house has five sections. The main entrance is in the middle. A porch goes all the way across the front. The middle part of the porch sticks out a bit.
On the south side of the house, you can see "C.L. 1746" written in metal. This stands for Christopher Lowndes and the year it was built. Around 1800, Benjamin Stoddert added a strong support, called a buttress, to this side. He did this because he was worried about a crack in the wall. At the bottom of this support, there are two small rooms. Some people call them dungeons or cells.
Other Buildings Nearby
Next to the main house, there is a separate brick kitchen. It has its own roof. To the southeast, there are other buildings from the 1800s. There is also a barn.
Bostwick's History and Protection
Bostwick was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This list helps protect important historical places.
In August 2011, an earthquake happened on the east coast. Bostwick's north chimney and roof were damaged. In 2012, a group called Preservation Maryland put Bostwick on a list of historic places that needed help.
Images for kids
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The south end of the home
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An old painting found inside the house.
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