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 | 1750 |
| 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 is the oldest house still standing in Frederick, Maryland. It was built in 1758. This special house is one of the best examples of German-Georgian style architecture in the United States. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 2016.
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The Story of Schifferstadt
Building a Home in 1758
The stone house you see today was finished in 1758. It was built with special cast iron stoves to keep it warm. Only one of these original stoves is still inside the house.
The land where Schifferstadt stands was first settled by a German farmer named Josef Brunner. He came to America in 1736. Josef bought a large piece of land in what is now Frederick, Maryland. He named his new property "Schifferstadt" after his hometown in Germany. His older sons also bought farms nearby. This meant the Brunner family owned a lot of land together.
From Log Cabin to Stone House
Josef Brunner first built a simple log house on his land. He cleared the land and started a farm. After several years, in 1753, Josef sold the property to his youngest son, Elias. Elias was very successful. He was able to build the much larger stone house that we can still visit today. Josef then moved into the town of Frederick.
Cool Architecture of Schifferstadt
Strong Walls and Unique Roof
The stone used for Schifferstadt's thick walls, which are two feet wide, might have come from a local quarry. A quarry is a place where stone is dug out of the ground. The wooden beams inside the house were shaped by hand. They were held together with wooden pegs instead of nails.
Above the windows and doors on the first floor, you can see strong stone arches. These arches help support the heavy walls above them. The roof of the house is also special. It has a "kick-up" or flared shape at the bottom.
Warm and Cozy Inside
Schifferstadt has a large "wishbone" chimney. This chimney gathers smoke from all four fireplaces into one main chimney. In the main room and the upstairs bedrooms, there were three "Five Plate" cast iron stoves. These stoves were a clever way to heat the house. They got their heat from fireplaces in the center hallway.
One of these original stoves is still in the house today. It is the only one known to be in its original spot anywhere! The date "1758" is carved into the stove's plates. This helps us know exactly when the house was built. Many of the original parts of the house are still there. They show how German building styles influenced homes in America. Schifferstadt is known as the best example of German colonial architecture in the United States.
Who Owned Schifferstadt?
From Family to Museum
The Brunner family and their relatives owned Schifferstadt for a long time. They kept it in the family until 1899. Then, it was sold to Edward C. Krantz, who lived in Frederick. The Krantz family owned the house until 1974.
In July 1974, the house was sold to the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation. This group worked to fix up and restore Schifferstadt. Today, they run it as a museum. You can visit to learn about the house's architecture and the history of the area.
Schifferstadt was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was later named a National Historic Landmark in 2016.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Maryland
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Frederick County, Maryland
- Frederick Sister Cities Association
