Historic Inns of Annapolis facts for kids
The Historic Inns of Annapolis are three special old buildings in Annapolis, Maryland, that became inns around the time the American Revolutionary War ended. These historic places include the Maryland Inn, the Governor Calvert House, and the Robert Johnson House. They also have a restaurant called the Treaty of Paris and a tavern called the King of France Tavern, where people can eat. These inns are managed by Remington Hotels and are right in the middle of Annapolis.
The Historic Inns of Annapolis are part of a group called Historic Hotels of America, which is a special program that helps protect old and important buildings.
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The Maryland Inn: A Historic Stay
In 1772, a respected businessman named Thomas Hyde got a long-term lease for a piece of land on Church Circle. He built the front part of what is now the Maryland Inn on this land. In 1782, Hyde put the building up for sale. He described it as a "beautiful brick house" with "20 fireplaces" and said it was "one of the best houses in the state for entertainment."
In 1784, Sarah Ball, who was managing the inn, announced that she had opened a tavern there. She invited her old customers and the public to visit, saying she had everything needed for a good time.
The inn stayed a popular place for people to stay throughout the 1800s. In 1868, the Maryland Hotel Company bought it. It remained the most important hotel in Annapolis and a favorite spot for important visitors, including national, state, and military guests. By the time World War I started, the inn's facilities were old-fashioned. Many of its rooms were turned into offices and apartments.
Over the next few decades, the inn had several different owners. In 1953, new owners who understood how important the inn was to Maryland's history bought it. They started a big project to restore it, making sure to keep its original Colonial design while adding modern comforts.
In March 2007, Remington Hotels, which now manages the property, opened a Starbucks Coffee inside what used to be the King of France Tavern.
Governor Calvert House: From Home to Barracks
The building at 58 State Circle was first a smaller house with a special roof shape. Its first resident was Charles Calvert, who was the governor of Maryland from 1720 to 1727.
In 1764, a fire badly damaged much of the building. The Calvert family then moved to the countryside. The parts of the house that survived the fire were used to build a new, two-story Georgian-style building. This building was used as barracks for the state of Maryland until 1784.
Between 1800 and 1854, the property was sold three times. Then, the mayor of Annapolis, Abram Claude, bought it. Mayor Claude made the building bigger and added Victorian-style features to it.
The house was privately owned through the 1900s. Later, Paul Pearson bought it and planned to restore it and turn it into a large inn. He worked with Historic Annapolis, and their research led to an amazing discovery. They found a hypocaust, which is an ancient heating system, in the basement of the building!
The Robert Johnson House: A Tailor's Legacy
In 1772, a barber from Annapolis named Robert Johnson bought a piece of land. In 1773, his grandson built the brick house that you can still see today at 23 State Circle. The main brick house stayed with the Johnson family until about 1856. A part of the land was sold in 1808 to Elizabeth Thompson, who likely built the wooden house at 1 School Street.
The third building on the property, at 5 School Street, was a two-story wooden house. It was built between 1790 and 1792 by Archibald Chisolm, who owned it until 1811.
In 1880, William H. Bellis bought the Johnson house and opened a tailor shop facing Main Street. He passed away in 1902, leaving 23 State Circle to his daughter, Maud Morrow. She later bought 1 and 5 School Street and turned the buildings into the Morrow Apartments. Eventually, the Historic Inns purchased the property and transformed it into a historic hotel.
The Treaty of Paris Restaurant: A Name of Peace
The Treaty of Paris restaurant is located inside the Maryland Inn. Its name honors the Paris Peace Treaty, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War. This important treaty was signed in Paris on September 3, 1783.
Representing Britain were Richard Oswald and David Hartley. Representing the United States were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay. The Treaty of Paris was officially approved by Congress on January 14, 1784, in Maryland's State House. This important event, which established America as a new nation, happened just a short walk from the restaurant that shares its name.
Other Historical Hotels in America
- Mary Prentiss Inn
- Basin Harbor Club
- DesBarres Manor Inn
