Schifferstadt (Frederick, Maryland) facts for kids
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Scheifferstadt
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1110 Rosemont & 2nd St., W., Frederick, Maryland |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1758 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000952, 100000833 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 22, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 2016 |
Schifferstadt, also called Scheifferstadt, is a very old house in Frederick, Maryland. It was built in 1758. This makes it the oldest house still standing in Frederick. It is a great example of German-Georgian style architecture from colonial times. In 2016, it was named a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation uses it as a museum. You can visit it on weekends from April to December. It teaches about local history and old buildings.
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History of Schifferstadt
The stone house was finished in 1758. It had three special cast iron stoves to keep it warm. Only one of these stoves is still there today. The land where the house stands was first settled in 1736. German immigrant farmers Josef and Cathrina Brunner moved there.
The Brunner Family and Their Farm
Josef Brunner bought 303 acres of land. This land was part of a much larger area called "Tasker's Chance." He bought it from Daniel Dulany, who developed Frederick. The Brunners named their property "Schifferstadt." They named it after their hometown, Klein Schifferstadt, in Germany. Three of their grown sons and two married daughters also settled nearby.
The Brunners first built a log cabin. They lived in the log house for 17 years. Then, Josef sold Schifferstadt to his son, Elias. Elias was 30 years old at the time. In 1758, Elias and his wife Albertina built the stone house. This house has stood for over 260 years. It is now an important part of Frederick's early history.
Josef Brunner had moved into the town of Frederick. This might have been because he was not well. The property was quite far from town back then. Josef died in 1753. His youngest son, Elias, eventually got the property. Elias was successful enough to build the large stone house we see today.
Unique Architecture of the House
The stone used for Schifferstadt's walls is about two feet thick. This sandstone might have come from a local quarry near Walkersville. The wooden beams were shaped by hand. They were held together with wooden pegs.
Special Features of the Building
Above the windows and doors on the first floor, there are strong stone arches. These arches help support the outside walls. The roof is also special. It has "kick-up" or flared eaves, which means the edges curve upwards.
The house has a large "wishbone" chimney. This chimney collects smoke from all four fireplaces into one main chimney. In the parlor and upstairs bedrooms, there were three "Five Plate" cast iron stoves. These stoves helped keep most of the house warm. They were also called jamb stoves. They were a clean and energy-efficient way to heat the house. The fireplaces in the center hall fed these stoves.
One of these original stoves is still in the house. It is the only one known to be in its original place anywhere. The date cast into its plates helps us know the house was built in 1758. Much of the original building style is still there. It shows many German influences. For example, the staircase to the second floor is narrow and efficient. Schifferstadt is known as one of the best examples of German colonial architecture in the United States.
Ownership and Restoration
The Brunner family and their descendants owned the house until 1899. Then, it was sold to Edward C. Krantz. He bought the house and 94 acres of land for $16,000. The Krantz family owned the house until July 1974.
Saving Schifferstadt for the Future
In 1974, the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation bought Schifferstadt. The foundation then worked to restore the house. Today, they run it as a museum. It teaches about architecture and local history.
Schifferstadt was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 1974. It was later named a National Historic Landmark on December 23, 2016.
See also
