The Poplar Hill Mansion is a historic U.S. mansion located at 117 Elizabeth Street, Salisbury, Maryland and is open to the public as a house museum.[2][3]
History
Major Levin Handy purchased 357 acres (1.44 km2) of land outside of Salisbury in 1795 and began construction of this Federal-style building later that year.[2] Due to lack of funds stemming from severe medical problems, Major Handy discontinued construction of the mansion and put it up for sale in 1803.[2] In 1805, Dr. John D. Huston purchased the incomplete house and continued its construction.[3] Sarah Huston, Dr. Huston's widow inherited the estate, which included eighteen enslaved people and $110. She sold some of the property for development in the late 1840s to early 1850s.[2] In 1881, George Waller purchased the estate and his family lived there until 1945.[2] In 1945, Fred A. Adkins purchased the property and renovated the house, modernizing it.[2] In 1948, Mr. & Mrs. Ward A Garber purchased the estate.[2] In 1970, Wicomico County purchased the estate and the mansion was placed in public trust in 1974 under the ownership of the City of Salisbury.[3] In 1971, Poplar Hill Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
Architectural features
Some of the architectural features of the mansion include:[3]
- Tall proportions
- Bold gable-fronted facade
- Large sash windows
- Delicate & intricate Federal or neoclassical style woodwork
- Finely detailed Palladian windows on the hall landing to the second floor & over the front door
Ghost legend
According to legend, a slave girl named Sara perished in the house after her dress caught on fire in the second floor rear bedroom during the Huston period.[3] Since that time, there have been reports of a "consoling" spirit.[3]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g Paul B. Touart (April 1998). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Poplar Hill Mansion" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
- ^ a b c d e f Poplar Hill Mansion. "Poplar Hill Mansion" brochure, July 2001.
External links
- Official website
- Poplar Hill Mansion, Wicomico County, Inventory No.: WI-8, including photo in 1996, at Maryland Historical Trust website
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. MD-716, "Poplar Hill Mansion, 117 Elizabeth Street, Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD", 1 photo, supplemental material
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