Sotterley (Hollywood, Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sotterley Plantation
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Sotterly Plantation, July 2009
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, Maryland, 20636 |
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| Area | 360.8 acres (146.0 ha) |
| Built | 1703 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001487 |
| Designated NHL | February 16, 2000 |
Sotterley Plantation is a very old house in Hollywood, Maryland. It is found in St. Mary's County, Maryland, USA. This special house sits on a hill overlooking the Patuxent River. It has a long, one-and-a-half-story design. The house is covered with wide wooden siding and a wood shingle roof.
On the property, you can also find other old buildings. There is a log cabin from around 1830. This cabin was once used by enslaved people. There is also a brick warehouse from the 1700s. An early 1800s brick building, called a meat house, is also there. Farm buildings include an old corn crib and many barns. These farm buildings are from the early 1900s.
Sotterley Plantation opened to the public in 1961. It was once the home of George Plater (1735–1792). He was the sixth Governor of Maryland. Later, Herbert L. Satterlee (1863–1947) lived there. He was a New York lawyer. He was also the son-in-law of a famous banker, J.P. Morgan.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it is an important historical site. In 2000, Sotterley was named a National Historic Landmark. This is a very high honor. It got this honor because parts of the main house are very rare. Some parts date back to 1717. These parts show how buildings were made long ago. The other old buildings and the land also make it special.
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What is Sotterley Plantation?
Sotterley Plantation is a unique place in Maryland. It is the only historic plantation in the Tidewater area that is open to everyone. Visitors can explore the old mansion from the 1700s. They can also see an original cabin where enslaved people lived. There is a customs warehouse and a smokehouse. You can also see a corn crib and a beautiful garden. The property covers about 95 acres. It has rolling fields, lovely gardens, and riverfront views.
A Look at Sotterley's Past
Sotterley Plantation has a rich history. Many people lived and worked here over hundreds of years.
Who Lived and Worked at Sotterley?
The land where Sotterley stands was first given to James Bowles in 1699. He built the first part of the house around 1703. After he died, his wife, Rebecca, married George Plater I. He was a lawyer and a leader in Maryland. The Plater family owned Sotterley for many years.
One famous owner was George Plater (1735–1792). He was the sixth Governor of Maryland. This means he was the leader of the state. He helped make important decisions for Maryland.
Later, the house was bought by Herbert L. Satterlee in 1910. He was a successful lawyer from New York. His wife, Louisa Pierpont Morgan, was the daughter of the famous banker J.P. Morgan. The Satterlee family worked to preserve the house. They made sure it stayed in good condition.
What Was Life Like at Sotterley?
Sotterley was a working plantation. This means it was a large farm where crops were grown. Enslaved people were forced to work on the plantation. They built the buildings and worked the fields. Their hard work helped the plantation grow. The log cabin on the property shows where some enslaved people lived.
The plantation also had a wharf. A wharf is like a dock where boats can load and unload goods. Julius Clifton Callis was the dockmaster at Sotterley Wharf. He was born in 1882. His job was to manage the boats and goods. His brother, Noah, later became the caretaker of the wharf house.
There was even a school at Sotterley. Laura Virginia Callis, Julius's daughter, went to this school. A class picture from around 1918 shows her there. The school closed by 1922.
Images for kids
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Sotterly Plantation, Historic Photograph
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Sotterley Plantation, Barn, July 2009
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Sotterley Plantation, Customs Warehouse, July 2009
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