Perry Point Mansion House and Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stump Perry Point Mansion House and Mill
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Perry Point Mansion House, April 2010
Stump Family Grist Mill at Perry Point VA Hospital, circa 1750. In 1975, the historic significance of the Mansion House and Grist Mill was recognized when the two structures were placed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior. These two buildings are the oldest known structures in the entire VA system.
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Veterans Administration Hospital grounds, Perryville, Maryland |
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| Area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Built | 1750 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000883 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1975 |
The Perry Point Mansion House and Grist Mill is a special historic area in Perry Point, Cecil County, Maryland, United States. It includes a large brick house and a stone mill. The house is two and a half stories tall and covered with gray stucco. The grist mill, which is about 30 by 20 feet, is built into a river bank and is two to three stories high. Both of these buildings were constructed around 1750.
After World War I, the United States government bought the property. Since then, Perry Point has been used for different purposes. It was a rehabilitation center, a supply depot, and later a hospital for mental health. Today, it continues to be a large hospital. In 1975, the Perry Point Mansion House and Mill were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical sites.
Contents
The History of Perry Point VA Medical Center
Early Days and Native Americans
Long ago, the Susquehannock Native Americans lived on the Perry Point peninsula. You can still find arrowheads and other items from their time there. These show that they lived in the area for a very long time.
Around 1680, Lord Baltimore gave a huge piece of land, called Susquehanna Manor, to his cousin George Talbot. This land included what is now Perry Point. However, a man named John Bateman already lived there. He had received the land in 1658.
How Perry Point Got Its Name
In 1710, Captain Richard Perry bought the land. Many people think the name "Perry Point" came from him. But old records show the name "Perry Point" was used even before 1658. This means the name changed from "Susquehanna Point" much earlier.
Building the Mansion and Mill
Over the years, the land changed hands many times. In 1729, Philip Thomas became the owner. His family owned the property for a long time. It was during the Thomas family's ownership that the Mansion House was built around 1750. The bricks for the house were brought over on ships from England. The Grist Mill was also built around the same time. Having both a mansion and a mill shows that there was a good-sized community living on the Point back then.
The Stump Family and Major Wars
In 1800, John Stump bought Perry Point, which included about 1,800 acres. During the War of 1812, British soldiers came up the Chesapeake Bay. They burned nearby towns and mills. But for some reason, they left the Mansion House and Grist Mill at Perry Point untouched.
John Stump passed away in 1828, and his son, John Stump II, inherited Perry Point. During the American Civil War, the United States government used Perry Point as a training area for cavalry mules. The officers in charge used the Mansion House as their headquarters. The Stump family even shared the house with them for a while! After the war, the Mansion House was in bad shape, but the family worked to restore it.
In 1848, a railroad company built tracks through the Stump farm. This was the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. It was a difficult project and took many years to complete.
Perry Point Becomes a Government Site
In 1898, John Stump II died, and his estate was divided among his ten children. Soon after the United States entered World War I in 1917, the government needed a place to make ammonium nitrate, which was used in explosives. Because of its good location near transportation, Perry Point was chosen. In 1918, the U.S. government bought the 516-acre estate from the Stump family for $150,000.
The government leased the land to the Atlas Powder Company. They quickly built a large factory and a village with 300 homes for workers. The factory started making ammonium nitrate in July 1918. But soon after, the war ended, and the factory was no longer needed.
From Public Health to Veterans' Care
On March 3, 1919, Perry Point was given to the U.S. Public Health Service. It became a hospital for soldiers who had been injured in the war. The first hospital building was a two-story structure in the village. It could hold 75 patients.
At first, Perry Point was a general hospital. But in 1920, it started focusing on mental health care. More buildings were converted for hospital use. In 1922, the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau took over Perry Point. That year, the first permanent hospital buildings were constructed. By 1923, many more patients and staff came to Perry Point from other hospitals.
For a short time in 1923, officials tried to change the name of the campus to "Federal Park." But local families, including the Stumps, asked the government to bring back the original name because of its history. On June 30, 1924, the government agreed, and it became "Perry Point" again.
Over the years, many more hospital and administrative buildings were built to help the growing number of patients. The Veterans Administration, which helps veterans, was officially created in 1930.
Modern Improvements and Services
In 1989, construction began on a new building at Perry Point. This building was designed to provide modern medical care and specialty services for veterans. It offered the latest medical technology and comfortable spaces for patients.
In 1995, the Perry Point VA Medical Center joined with other VA centers in Maryland to form the VA Maryland Health Care System. This helped them work together to provide better care. In 1998, a new building for mental health care was opened at Perry Point. It was the first new inpatient building in over 50 years. It offered special treatment programs and more privacy for veterans.
In 2004, a new building for a "Partial Hospitalization Program" was dedicated. This program helps veterans transition back into the community and avoid needing to stay in the hospital.
Today, the Perry Point VA Medical Center has been helping U.S. veterans for over 80 years. There are more than 85 buildings on the 397-acre campus. Some of the buildings built by the Atlas Powder Company are still in use today.
In 1975, the Mansion House and Grist Mill were officially recognized for their historical importance. They were placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior. These two buildings are the oldest known structures in the entire VA system.
- Perry Point Mansion House and Mill, Cecil County, including photo from 1968, at Maryland Historical Trust
