Perry Hall Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Perry Hall
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Perry Hall Mansion, December 2009
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3930 Perry Hall Road, Perry Hall, Maryland |
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| Area | 3.9 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1773 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Palladian |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001796 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1980 |
The Perry Hall Mansion is a historic house located in Perry Hall, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It sits on a hill overlooking the Gunpowder River Valley. This mansion is a great example of how people lived in eastern Baltimore County during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
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History of Perry Hall Mansion
Building the Perry Hall Mansion started in 1773 under Corbin Lee. However, he passed away that same year. The house was finished in 1776 by Harry Dorsey Gough, a very rich merchant from Baltimore.
How Perry Hall Got Its Name
Gough named his new estate "Perry Hall" after his family's old home in England. This original Perry Hall is located in Perry Barr, a northern part of Birmingham.
Life at the Mansion in the 1700s
The mansion had 16 rooms. From here, Gough managed his large farm. Many workers grew crops like tobacco and raised animals on the land. The Perry Hall estate was so important that old maps often called modern-day Bel Air Road (U.S. Route 1) "Perry Hall Road" or "Gough's Road."
Harry Dorsey Gough's Influence
Harry Dorsey Gough died on May 8, 1808. He was a well-known person across Maryland. Over 2,000 people came to his funeral, which was held at the Perry Hall estate. Many believed the mansion was at its best during the early 1800s. Visitors often talked about the house's unique design and the beautiful gardens around it.
The mansion showed different parts of Harry Dorsey Gough's life. It had impressive wine cellars and a large main hall for parties. These features showed his social life before he became a Methodist. After he became religious, Gough built a chapel near the mansion's east side. Here, he could worship quietly with his family, servants, and neighbors.
Changes Over Time
Gough's family owned Perry Hall until 1852. Then, it was sold to investors who divided much of the land. Many immigrant families bought these smaller pieces of land and built farms. The mansion stayed in private hands for over 200 years. By 2001, the large estate had shrunk to about four acres. That year, Baltimore County bought the mansion. They planned to use it as a museum and a community center.
Three large paintings from around 1803 by Francis Guy show the house as it looked originally. The Perry Hall Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This list recognizes places important to American history.
Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion
After Baltimore County's Department of Parks and Recreation bought the Perry Hall Mansion, its outside was fully repaired. A group was also created to help the public get involved with this important historical property.
What the Friends Do
The Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion is a group formed in September 2007. Their goal is to help finish the renovations at the mansion. They also want to take care of the building once the repairs are done. The group's leaders work to teach people about the Perry Hall Mansion. They also give ideas to the Baltimore County government about how to use and run the mansion.
Future Plans for the Mansion
The Friends group is still raising money to fix the inside of the building. They also plan to start an archaeological dig on the property. This dig will help them learn more about the mansion's past. They are also creating a master plan. This plan will guide how the mansion and its grounds will be used and improved in the future.
Current board members include Jeffrey Smith (president), Neil Miller (vice president), Tim Kosiba (treasurer), Linda Polesne (secretary), and Colleen Bowers (membership chairperson). Other directors are Wayne Schaumburg, Vince Pecora, Ann Palrang, Laura Kimball, Melissa Redmer, and Peggy Neidlinger.
Gallery
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Artist Francis Guy's (1760-1820) portrait of Perry Hall Mansion, painted in 1803
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The East wing of the mansion
- Friends of Perry Hall Mansion website: perryhallmansion.org
- "Crossroads: The History of Perry Hall, by David Marks."
- Perry Hall, Baltimore County, including photo from 1976, at Maryland Historical Trust
