On a cobbled historic street in Annapolis, Md., sits the Chase-Lloyd House, a 250 year-old Georgian mansion constructed by Declaration of Independence signatory Samuel Chase, and one of the city’s few remaining examples of pre-revolutionary colonial architecture. Yet, despite its historical landmark status, the house had not been properly documented since the 1960s, creating a 50-year gap in its architectural and living history. Last fall, five graduate students from UMD’s Historic Preservation Program (HISP), under the guidance of Adjunct Professor Dr. Constance Ramirez, created a compendium of information on the Chase-Lloyd House, showcasing its place in American history and providing vital documentation on the home’s architectural changes.
Connecting the dots on the home’s history required the students to engage in extensive sleuthing. Students traveled to Philadelphia to pour over drawings and restoration documents, which revealed, among other things, a widening of the porch in the 1970s. HISP student Kate Kachovic, tasked with creating a furniture inventory of the home, was able to use photos to document the comings and goings of antiques, particularly in the front hall, considered to be the home’s focal point. Oral histories from the home’s trustees offered new information about its owners and inhabitants, proving a more comprehensive living history and adding to its rich legacy.
“It was an amazing opportunity to do actual work on a national landmark, and the kind of research and interpretation that’s involved,” said HISP student Sehba Imtiaz, who provided the overview of architectural changes and documentation. “Trying to find historic resources on a house of this scale was challenging and interesting. We were able to put all of the skills we’ve learned in the past year to use.”
“In the intro classes, we do a lot of research and reading, but for me it was interesting to see how preservation practices are applied in a real way,” added Kate.
While the compendium is a boon to the Trustees’ efforts to preserve and share the history of Chase-Lloyd House, the finished project is also an essential primer for future restoration, and will allow the board to make informed decisions. “If (the board) ever wanted to restore the home’s exterior to its original state, we’ve offered the plans for how it should look,” explained Sehba. “Not to mention, it’s better to make a hole in a 1950’s wall than an 1850’s wall.” The students presented the project results to the board of trustees in January. The final report will be shared on the Chase-Lloyd House’s website later this spring.