Paca House and Garden facts for kids
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Paca House and Garden
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William Paca House, July 2009
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Annapolis, Maryland |
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| Built | 1763 |
| Architect | William Paca |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000364 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The William Paca House is a beautiful old home in Annapolis, Maryland. It was built between 1763 and 1765. The house was designed by William Paca himself. He was a very important person in American history.
William Paca was one of the Founding Fathers. He signed the Declaration of Independence. This document declared America's freedom from Great Britain. He also served as the Governor of Maryland three times.
The house has a lovely 2-acre (8,100 m2) walled garden. This garden has been brought back to look just like it did long ago. It even has a two-story summer house. In 1971, the William Paca House and Garden was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very special place in American history.
The house originally had smaller buildings attached. These were an office and a kitchen. Over time, these parts were changed. The house even became a hotel for a while! But now, it looks very much like it did when William Paca lived there.
Contents
History of the Paca House
In 1780, William Paca sold his house. He sold it to Thomas Jenings. Thomas Jenings was Maryland's attorney general at the time.
From Home to Hotel
Later, the house and its land were bought by a hotel company. The house became the main lobby and meeting rooms for a hotel. This hotel was called the Carvel Hall Hotel. It was built right behind the house, in the garden area.
The Carvel Hall Hotel opened in 1901. It had 200 guest rooms. But by 1964, there were plans to tear down the house and the hotel. The idea was to build tall buildings there instead.
Saving and Restoring the House
When people heard about the plans to tear down the house, they were very upset. A group called Historic Annapolis, Inc. stepped in. They bought the house to save it. The State of Maryland bought the garden area in 1965.
The parts added for the hotel were removed in 1966 and 1967. The house was then given to the Maryland Historical Trust. Today, the Historic Annapolis Foundation takes care of the property. You can visit the house for guided tours. You can also explore the garden on your own all year round.
What the Paca House Looks Like
The Paca House is built in a style called Georgian. It has a main, tall section in the middle. On each side, there are smaller, matching buildings. These smaller buildings are connected to the main house by short hallways.
Inside, the house has a main hallway in the center. There are two rooms on each side of this hall. Some of the original wooden details are still there. This includes the main hallway and the stairs. The stairs have a special design called Chinese Chippendale.
See Also
In Spanish: Jardín y casa Paca para niños
- Hammond-Harwood House
- Brice House
- Chase-Lloyd House
- Whitehall (Annapolis, Maryland)
- Tulip Hill
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Maryland
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Gallery
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Paca House, from a photo taken in June 1936
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The Paca House garden, showing the main path in July 2009
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A view of the Paca House from its garden in July 2009
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