Thomas Stone National Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas StoneNational Historic Site |
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 Thomas Stone
National Historic Site Location in Maryland
Thomas Stone
National Historic Site Location in the United States
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| Location | Charles County, Maryland |
| Nearest city | St. Charles |
| Established | November 10, 1978 |
| Visitors | 6,351 (in 2011) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Thomas Stone National Historic Site |
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Habre-de-Venture; Thomas Stone National Historic Site
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Haberdeventure, Front View, September 2009
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| Location | 6655 Rose Hill Rd., near jct. with MD 225 and 6, Port Tobacco, Maryland |
| Area | 360 acres (145.7 ha) |
| Built | 1771 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Visitation | 4,500 (2005) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001595 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 31, 1972 |
| Designated NHS | November 10, 1978 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Thomas Stone National Historic Site is a special place in Charles County, Maryland, about 25 miles (40 km) south of Washington D.C.. It is also known as Haberdeventure or the Thomas Stone House. This site was created to protect the home and land of Thomas Stone. He was one of the important Founding Fathers who signed the United States Declaration of Independence. His family owned this home and estate until 1936.
Contents
The Story of Thomas Stone's Home
Building a Home for a Growing Family
Thomas Stone bought the Haberdeventure land in 1770. He started building his new home in 1771. His first idea was to build a small house for himself, his wife Margaret, and their two daughters. But things changed before the house was finished.
His father passed away, and five of his younger brothers and sisters came to live with him. This meant he needed a much bigger home! The Haberdeventure property was quite large. It grew from about 442 acres (1.79 km²) to 1,077 acres (4.36 km²) by the time Stone died in 1787.
Life at Haberdeventure Plantation
During the 1780s, many people lived and worked on the Haberdeventure plantation. This included about 25 to 35 people, some of whom were enslaved. Thomas Stone was buried in the family cemetery right next to his home.
His family continued to own Haberdeventure for many years. They kept the property until 1936, when it was sold.
Becoming a National Historic Site
In 1971, the Thomas Stone House was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
The house was privately owned until 1977. That year, a fire badly damaged the middle part of the house. Because of its importance, Haberdeventure was made a National Historic Site in 1978. The National Park Service bought the property in 1981.
Workers then began to restore the historic buildings. It took many years, but the house finally opened to the public in 1997.
Visiting Thomas Stone's Historic Home Today
Today, you can visit the Thomas Stone National Historic Site. There is a visitor center with interesting exhibits. These exhibits teach you about the United States Declaration of Independence and the life of Thomas Stone.
You can also take guided tours of the Haberdeventure house. It's a great way to learn about history! In 2008, about 5,720 people visited the site.
Images for kids
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Haberdeventure, front, winter view
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Haberdeventure, rear view, September 2009
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Haberdeventure, detail of original home, September 2009
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Grave of Thomas Stone, September 2009
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Haberdeventure, detail of main house and dependencies, from the north, 26 June 2011
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Haberdeventure, corn crib, 26 June 2011
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Artifacts on display in the parlor of the home, July 2016
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Parlor. Portrait of Margaret Stone is replica of one by Robert Edge Pine. July 2016
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A view through the bedroom into the parlor, July 2016
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Bed in bedroom, July 2016
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Artifacts relating to the life of Thomas Stone, July 2016
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Pieces of the building's original fabric, burned in the 1977 fire, July 2016
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The house and outbuildings, June 2009
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Visitors center, July 2016
See also
