Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage

I had a wonderful time Saturday in Southern Anne Arundel County. I was touring many old and new homes that were part of the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage Tours. There were 11 locations to check out, most of which were private homes. Below are pictures of 7 locations.

Sometimes I get so interested that I forget to take pictures!

The first five pictures are of ETOWAH in Harwood which dates to 1820. The main hallway has doors on each side and an arch supported by Greek columns. The house can be found on a 95-acre working farm. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The framed addition was built in 1950.

The next pictures are of LARKIN'S HUNDRED in Edgewater. It's a beautiful two story Georgian house that is 300 years old. It's been on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Every room on both floors have paneled fireplace walls with built-in cupboards and closets framing the chimney.

The next stop, OBLIGATION FARM, was back in Harwood and was built in 1743. This house joined the National Register in 1969. Again, part of a working farm that focuses on conservation, deploying solar panels, composting manure and overseeding pastures. The family patriarch greeted us on the back lawn.

Our box lunches awaited us at the Captain Avery Museum in Shadyside. The funds raised from this tour are being used to replace the rotting dock at the end of the Avery property. The team at Captain Avery House work hard to provide many events. Be sure to check out the summer concert series.

The next house was down the street from Avery House. Like it's neighbor, it started it's life as a waterman's house in the early 1900s. Captain Percy Smith and his bride, Emma, began their married life in this house with no running water of electricity. Life in the house has moved on and it has been renovated many times.

A quick stop at NIRVANA in Churchton, lead to a great surprise visit with a former coworker and friend whose in-laws own the house. Beautiful house built to accommodate three generations of family.

The TACARO ESTATE resembles Tara from Gone With The Wind, which was built the year after the movie was released. This estate has always been a horse farm with incredible stables and riding areas. The current owners bought the house three years ago and have turned it into an elegant eclectic bed and breakfast.

I did also tour WOODLAND HOUSE, SILVER WATER, THE GROVE, and The LENZ HOME, but didn't manage to get any pictures of these beautiful homes.

What a great day!