Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
CARR-48
Avondale (Legh Masters House, Furnace Hills)
Architectural Survey File
This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse-
chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National
Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation
such as photographs and maps.
Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site
architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at
the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft
versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a
thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research
project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment.
All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.
Last Updated: 11-08-2012
Form No 10-300 (Rev. 10-74)
,UN1TEDSTATES DEPART. - tNTOFTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
CARR-48 FORo. 3 USE ONLY
RECEIVED
DATE ENTERED -
SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS
NAME HISTORIC
Avondale AND/OR COMMON
Avondale Farm House
LOCATION STREET & NUMBER
Maryland Route 31 at Avondale -NOT FOR PUBLICATION
CITY. TOWN
2 1/2 mi les STATE
Maryland
west o f Westmins
CLASSIFICATION
CATEGORY —DISTRICT
XBUILDING(S)
—STRUCTURE
—SITE
—OBJECT
OWNERSHIP —PUBLIC
X-PRIVATE
— BOTH
t£_rv iCINITY OF
PUBLIC ACQUISITION —IN PROCESS
— BEING CONSIDERED
CODE
24
STATUS -^.OCCUPIED
—UNOCCUPIED
—WORK IN PROGRESS
ACCESSIBLE —YES: RESTRICTED
— YES: UNRESTRICTED
2LNO
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
S i x t h COUNTY
C a r r o l l CODE
013
PRESENT USE ^—AGRICULTURE
—COMMERCIAL
—EDUCATIONAL
—ENTERTAINMENT
—GOVERNMENT
—INDUSTRIAL
—MILITARY
—MUSEUM
—PARK
—PRIVATE RESIDENCE
— RELIGIOUS
—SCIENTIFIC
—TRANSPORTATION
—OTHER:
OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME
Stefivej ver Company Mrs. Edith. Elliot
Avenue P.O. Box 56 New Market, Md.21774 STATE
VICINITY OF Maryland 21774
LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS.ETC. Carroll County Courthouse STREET & NUMBER
Court House Square CITY. TOWN
Westminster STATE
Maryland
REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE
DATE
.FEDERAL —STATE —COUNTY —LOCAL
DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS
CITY. TOWN STATE
DESCRIPTION CARR-48
CONDITION CHECK ONE CHECK ONE
—EXCELLENT ^DETERIORATED X-UNALTERED ^.ORIGINAL SITE
—GOOD —RUINS —ALTERED —MOVED DATE
FAIR —UNEXPOSED
DESCRIBETHE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Avondale stands on a low rise of ground on the south side of U.S. Route 31, about 2 1/2 miles west of Westminster, Maryland.
It is a Georgian style two and one-half story brick house, measuring approximately 45 feet long by 18 1/2 feet deep. A two story brick north-west wing measures approximately 49 feet long by 13 feet deep.
The formally arranged, Flemish bond principal facade faces southwest and has five symmetrically placed bays at the first floor level. The entrance doorway is located on a centered, two story pedimented pavillion that only slightly projects beyond the wall plane. This entrance consists of a double door and narrow flanking sidelights beneath an unusually pronounced arched fanlight. The four flanking windows of nine over nine pane sash have simple beaded surrounds and flat arches of splayed stretcher brick. On the second floor level is a Palladian window centered on the pavillion directly over the entrance door. Its four flanking windows are smaller than those below and have sash of six over six lights each. Extending across the facade between the outside ends of the sills of the two second floor end windows is a two course brick band. Within the pediment of the pavillion is a small lunette window. A single flush chimney stands at each end of the gable roof and there is a three part, dentiled wood cornice across the front and rear elevations. Although there are cornice returns on the front pediment there are none on the ends of the house. On the rear elevation of the exposed wall of the main block is two bays wide. A centered, first floor, unornamented door opens into the main hall. Extending across this elevation, between the wing and the southeast corner of the main block and flush with the second floor window sills, is a projecting two course brick band.
The northeast wing was initially a detached or semi-detached two story brick structure, three bays wide on its southeast side and one bay wide on the northwest side, which housed the summer kitchen in its single ground floor room. It has been suggested that this earliest part of the wing pre-dates the main block but similarities in structural and decorative detail indicate that the two were built at or about the same time. In about the mid nineteenth century the area between the main block and kitchen was closed by the addition of a two story, two bay extension of the kitchen. At about this same time a one-story, full width farm porch was built on the wings southeast elevation.
Although the plan of the principal facade would seem to suggest otherwise/the interior of Avondale is one of fairly simple design, more Federal in detail than Georgian. Its most outstanding feature is that of the main stair, rising in four flights to the attic and decorated with delicately turned balusters, a molded ra,il and
(SEE CONTINUATION SHEET NO. U
Form No 1f)-30pa f lAey. 10-741 f f
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR fp5R N P S U S E 0 N L Y
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
RECEIVED
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (DATE ENTERED
CONTINUATION SHEET A V O n d a l e ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 1
DESCRIPTION CONTINUED
scrolled stepends. In combination with the fanlighted entrance the stai hall presents a very handsome appearance. In the two rooms flanking the hall (see plan) are simple mantles with molded cornice shelves (in the northwest room a paneled closet stands adjacent to the projecting chimney), wide two piece surrounds on the windows and doors, and paneled wainscoting beneath molded chairrails. The two rooms and hall of the second floor are similarly treated. Beneath the house is a full, dirt floored cellar.
In the wing there are two rooms, both with large fireplace openings A steep winding stair is enclosed within the recessed area adjacent to the projecting chimney of the southwest room and the fireplace opening in the original kitchen is fitted with cranes and an iron doored oven. A large iron fireback originally standing this opening was removed several years ago, but remains on the property.
Avondale has, from years of neglect, suffered extensive damage from deterioration. The graceful and noteworthy entrance door has lost 90 percent of its fan and side lights and the floor of the southeast first floor room of the main block has collapsed into the cellar. The remainder of the house appears physically sound but is in great need of general repairs before it, too, is lost.
Near the house is a pyramid roofed smokehouse and a frame wash-house, both in good repair. There are no vestiges of former gardens or other outbuildings remaining except a large nineteenth century barn near the entrance to the property. Ore pits remaining from the iron furnaces of Legh Masters are, however, evident at a distance not far from the house.
SIGNIFICANCE CARR-48
PERIOD AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE - CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW
-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC —COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _RELIGION
— 1400-1499 -^ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC —CONSERVATION _ L A W —SCIENCE
— 1500-1599 AGRICULTURE —ECONOMICS —LITERATURE —SCULPTURE
— 1600-1699 XARCHITECTURE —EDUCATION —MILITARY —SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN
X-1700-1799 —ART . —ENGINEERING —MUSIC —THEATER
— 1800-1899 —COMMERCE —EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT —PHILOSOPHY —TRANSPORTATION
— 1900- —COMMUNICATIONS -^-INDUSTRY —POLITICS/GOVERNMENT —OTHER (SPECIFY)
—INVENTION
SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER/ARCHITECT
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Avondale is unique in Carroll County, being the only recorded example of an eighteenth century house with a formal facade that is based on elements of Georgian architecture. Although it displays Federal influences and could be perhaps considered a transitional building, the arrangement of the facade establishes it as an important landmark significant to the study of regional architectural development.
The building of Avondale is attributed to Legh Masters Cd. 1796) who came to what is now Carroll County from New Hall, Lancashire, England, in the early eighteenth century. He owned several thousand acres, including the Avondale tract. Masters began the operation of an iron foundry near Avondale circa 1765, making this one of the oldest furnaces in Maryland. The furnace only operated for one or two blasts as the ore proved "unproductive and indifferent". Masters' interest in the area as a residence contradicts his mineral venture for no one would describe his monumental brick house as "indifferent". (Two other attempts at iron production were initiated at the end of the eighteenth century and before the Civil War. Neither was successful.
Although there are numerous local stories involving Avondale, most of these are of supernatural nature. No events of a significant historical nature are known to have occurred, except the operation of the furnace. Avondale is presently owned by the B. F. Shriver Company of Carroll County and the house tenanted. There is a distinct possibility that the property may soon be sold and a great deal of public concern has been voiced concerning its preservation.
MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CARR-48 Bullock, Orin, AIA Architect, Observations of A, --ndale, April, 1968,
contained in letter of Richard N. Jackson, Jr., AIA, dated May 3, 1968 Grave Marker of Legh Master, Ascension Church, Westminster, Maryland. Sharf, J. Thomas, History of Western Maryland, Philadelphia; Louis H.
Everts, 1882, Vol. II, pp. 925-926. USGS Map, N3930-W7700/7.5, New Windsor, Maryland, 1971.
GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY
UTM REFERENCES
A L X J 1 I • I • • I I . I . I . . i B L J M , I , , 1 1 . 1 , 1 , , ! ZONE EASTING NORTHING ZONE EASTING NORTHING
C L J J I I , I • , I I , I , I , • I D L L J I I , I , , I I , I . I • , I VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES
STATE CODE COUNTY CODE
STATE CODE COUNTY CODE
FORM PREPARED BY NAME/TITLE
J. Richard Rivoire, Architectural Historian (cas) . ORGANIZATION DATE
Maryland Historical Trust January, 1975 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE
21 Sta te Ci rc le CITY OR TOWN STATE
Annapolis Maryland 21401
E S T A T E HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS:
NATIONAL STATE LOCAL
As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665} , I
hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the
criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE
TITLE DATE _____________
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY tS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER
DATE
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ATTEST: DATE
' KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER ' ' ~~~
- • • • - • • ' • • * — - - i — — — • - i mm • • „ , . - . - • • • • • , , — — -
GPO 886-445
CARR - 4 8
AVONDALE Late 18th century (Listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
501 Stone Chapel Road Private Westminster
Avondale is one of the most refined architectural specimens
in Carroll County. Its architecture presents an elaborate
design for this rural region that represents a transitional
building from the early Federal period. The Flemish bond
main facade of the brick structure is highlighted by an
unusually pronounced arched fanlight with a detailed mullion
design at the main entrance. The central bay of the second
story has a Palladian-style window. This stylish detailing
is carried over on the interior with the ornamentation of
the main staircase.
The house was constructed by Legh Master (1717-1796) who
established an iron foundry on this property circa 1765.
Master had come from Lancastershire, England, and acquired
over 6,000 acres of land in this area. He left the area
during the Revolutionary War to operate a merchant boat in
Bermuda, and letters of his to the governor of Maryland show
some of his activities during this period including service
as transporter during an exchange of British and American
prisoners. He returned to Avondale after the war and lived
there until his death in 1796. He is most remembered as a
CARR - 48 Avondale (cont.) 2
character in a folk tale published in J. Thomas Scharf's
History of Western Maryland. The tale involves accounts of
encounters with Master's ghost in the hills around Avondale
who begged for mercy for misdeeds that included pushing a
slave into the iron furnance.
SUFVEY NUMBER:
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NEGATIVE F ILE NUMBER:
2 2 5. N. Center Street Westminster, Maryland 21157 u ™ REFERENCES:
Z o n e / E a s t i n g / N o r t h i n g WESTMINSTER PLANNING DISTRICT
FIELD SHEET—HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY U.S.G.S. QUAD. MAP:
PRESENT FORMAL NAME: A
COUNTY: CAtf 31L ' ORIGINAL FORMAL NAME: , TOWN: LOCATION: " PRESENT USE:
ORIGINAL USE: TAX ARCHITECT/ENGINEER:
COMMON NAME: , BUILDER/CONTRACTOR:
FUNCTIONAL TYPE: t _____ OWNER: PHYSICAL CONDITION OF STRUCTURE: ADDRESS: Excellent (/) Good ( )
F a i r ( ) Poor ( ) ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC: " THEME: , Yes ( ) Nn (Y"> Rest-.rirfpH ( 1 STYT.F: LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE: DATE BUILT: . V ltfjL V. Local ( ) State ( ) National GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Structural System
1. Foundation: Stone (x$ Brick ( ) Concrete ( ) Concrete Block ( ) 2. Wall Structure
A. Wood: Log ( ) Post and Beam ( ) Balloon ( ) B. Wood Bearing Masonry: Brick £><) Stone ( ) Concrete ( ) Concrete Block ( ) C. Iron ( ) D. Steel ( ) E. Other
3. Wall Covering: Weatherboard ( ) German Siding ( ) Board and Batten ( ) Wood Shingle ( ) Shiplap ( ) Novelty ( ) Stucco ( ) Sheet Metal ( ) Aluminum ( ) Asphalt Shingle ( ) Brick Veneer ( ) Stone Veneer ( ) Bonding Pattern: Other:
4. Roof Structure A. Truss: Wood (X) Iron ( ) Steel ( ) Concrete ( ) B. Other:
5. Roof Covering: Slate ( ) Wood Shingle ( ) Asphalt Shingle (X) Sheet Metal ( ) Built Up ( ) Rolled ( ) Tile ( ) Other:
6. Engineering Structure: 7. Other:
Appendages: Porches ( ) Towers ( ) Cupolas ( ) Dormers (K) Chimneys ( ) Sheds ( ) Ells (X) Wings ( ) Other:
Roof Style: Gable &tf Hip ( ) Shed ( ) Flat ( ) Mansard ( ) Gambrel ( ) Jerkinhead ( ) Saw Tooth ( ) With Monitor ( ) With Bellcast ( ) With Parapet ( ) With False Front ( ) Other:
Number of Stories: 1 '/a, Number of Bays: £ Entrance Location: Approximate Dimensions:
xIREAT TO STRUCTURE: LOCAL ATTITUDES: No Threat (X) Zoning ( ) Roads ( ) Positive (X) Negative ( ) Development ( ) Deterioration ( ) Mixed ( ) Other: Alteration ( ) Other:
Form 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CARR-48 (Dec. 1968) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY
E N T R Y N U M B E R D A T E
(Type all entries — complete applicable sections)
l . NAME . .:::::: :
C O M M ° N : "AVONDALE". "LE; I I. : . ' 3 HOUSE", "FURNACE HILLS"
A N D / O R H I S T O R I C :
|2. LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: - - , . , , -' 'r. -. '
CITY OR TOWN:
C a r r o l l
3. CLASSIFICATION r _ _ _ „ :
C A T E G 0 R Y OWNERSHIP STATUS I ACCESSIBLE (Check One) TO THE PUBLIC
Distr ict • Building j£] Public Q Public Acqui si t ion: Occupied H Y e s :
Site • Structure Q Private g ] In Process • Unoccupied D Restricted •
Both • Being Considered L7i Preservation work Unrestricted • Object ,—.
<—' in progress \_\ N o . |Ej
^ 0 1 P R E S E N T USE (Check One or More as Appropriate)
Agricultural • G o v e r n m e n t r j P a r k Q T r a n s p o r t a t i o n • C o m m e n t s O
Commercial • I n d u s t r i a l • P r i v a t e R e s i d e n c e © O t h e r (Specify) Q t S i i a n t
Educational • Mi l i t a ry Q R e l i g i o u s Q
Entertainment • M u s e u m Q S c i e n t i f i c [~]
4. OWNER OF PROPERTY OWN ERS NAME:
B . F . S h r i v e r & Go,
S T R E E T A N D N U M B E R :
C I T Y OR TOWN: S T A T E : CODE
o t i n i n s t e r Mary land
[5. LOCATION 0FTEGAL"D~ESC~RIPTI0N C O U R T H O U S E , REGISTRY OF D E E D S . E T C :
C a r r o l l County Cour thouse
STREET AND NUMBER:
CITY OR TOWN: STATE CODE
teBtminster Maryland APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY:
6. R E P R E S E N T A T I O N I N EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY:
DATE OF SURVEY: Federal |~| S t a , e • County • Local f j DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS:
STREET AND NUMBER:
CITY OR TOWN: STATE: CODE
}7. DESCRIPTION CARR-48' CONDITION | <ChBCk °"e)
Excellent Q Good Q Fair j j | Deteriorated • Ruins • Unexposed •
(Check One; (Check One) INTEGRITY „ _ .
Altered • Unaltered Q Moved f j Original Site ^ ]
D E S C R I B E T H E P R E S E N T AND O R I G I N A L f i f known) P H Y S I C A L A P P E A R A N C E
The main block is of the Georgian s£jjye five bays in length: large center door with fanlight and Paladian window above - two windows on either si . - original pedimented porch has disappeared but the outline can still be seen on the front wall.
All interior mouldings and mantles are characteristic of the Georgian period. The first floor windows are 9/9 with interior shutters, c <ir rails, ori: inal mantles, Gross a le doors, and original hardware. The center hall contains a stair of rather simple n but with^very delicate double 8 r: :1s. The panelling at the stair closet is of squares of varying siz s. The closet gives access to the cellar stairs. The stair rail is
Lnut with saddles and therejis at1 added hand rail on the inside wall. The front door with f as been badly dan ';nd is boarded over and the living room floor has collapsed into t] cellar so 5 ' s been boarded off also. The hall . dining room arc in fairly good condition alt the dining room floor is a Victorian replacement (as well as floor joists, visable fa a cellar).
s cond floor contains two rooms wit tplaces and a single flanking closet. There is a center hall landii wit! all room a ::s which is lighted by the Paladian window. The room contains a closet and steep
ir*to the attic.
Ion to the rear of the house could have been Tier or later but we*** erected se :ely as they are
not actually joined at the seam. This addition, which gives the house an ell shape, cont ins e winter kitchen with lar fir . 1 e (bricked in) and dutch oven. The wing has two rooms an all down (incl, kitchen at the aid) and two rooms and center hall above. ..ill four rooms have fireplaces (the kitchen having the largest) and the stairwell is in vertical bead"
Off from t an) end of this wing stands a structure of 19th century design which contains the summer kitchen,
rous outbuildings includin :erestii smoke house with pivot post still usable.
CARR-48 JST SIGNIFICANCE . ft, Vvw
PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate)
Pre-Columbian • 16th Century Q 18th Century • 20th Century •
15th Century • 17th Century • 19th Century g j
SPECIFIC DATE(S) (It Applicable and Known)
AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate)
Aboriginal Education CD Poli t ical Q Urban Planning O
Prehistoric • Engineering • Rel ig ion/Phi- Other (Specify) •
Historic • Industry £3 losophy f~l
Agriculture Invention Science
Art Q Landscape Sculpture
Commerce Architecture Q Social/Human-
Communications Q Literature itarian
Conservation Military Theater Q
Music • Transportation f l
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (Include Personages, Dates, Events, Etc.)
9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES ^
10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA -•• L A T I T U D E A N D L O N G I T U D E C O O R D I N A T E S n L A T I T U D E A N D L O N G I T U D E C O O R D I N A T E S
D E F I N I N G A R E C T A N G L E L O C A T I N G T H E P R O P E R T Y U D E F I N I N G T H E C E N T E R P O I N T OF A P R O P E R T Y R O F LESS T H A N ONE A C R E
C O R N E R L A T I T U D E L O N G I T U D E L A T I T U D E L O N G I T U D E
Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds |s| VV O i • o » " O • • o i n
N £ o . • o • a
SE ° ° SW o . . o
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES
STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE
STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
W. FORM PREPARED BY N A M E AND T l T L E :
J. Xi-- • .'.. . O R G A N I Z A T I O N D A T E
S T R E E T AND N U M B E R :
C I T Y OR TOWN: S T A T E CODE
iXla. I 12. STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERT I FiC AT ION | NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION
A s the d e s i g n a t e d S t a t e L i a i s o n O f f i c e r for t h e N a -i I h e r e b y c e r t i f y t h a t t h i s p r o p e r t y i s i n c l u d e d in t h e
t i o n a l H i s t o r i c P r e s e r v a t i o n A c t of 1966 ( P u b l i c L a w N a t i o n a l R e g i s t e r .
8 9 - 6 6 5 ) , I h e r e b y n o m i n a t e t h i s p r o p e r t y for i n c l u s i o n &
in t h e N a t i o n a l R e g i s t e r a n d c e r t i f y t h a t i t h a s b e e n
e v a l u a t e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e c r i t e r i a a n d p r o c e d u r e s s e t
for th by the N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e . T h e r e c o m m e n d e d . Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation
l e v e l of s i g n i f i c a n c e of t h i s n o m i n a t i o n i s :
N a t i o n a l • S t a t e • L o c a l Q
D a t e
Name A T T E S T :
T i t l e
Keeper of The National Register
"Date D a t e
' Fern 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATU. (Rev. 6-72) N A T I O N A L PARK SERVICE M a r y l a n d
COLIN T Y •
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES r , r r A l l U c i r r O J L J -
INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM _____________ ENTRv ' t lATE
(Type all entries - complete applicable sections)
C OWMON:
Avondale Farrn House . A N D / O R H I S T O R I C :
1 Avondale __ __ 2. LOCATION ; .:;
S T R E E T A N D N U M B E R :
Ma r y l and Route 31 _ a t Avon da l e , C I T Y OR T O W N : I C O N G R E S S I O N A L D I S T R I C T :
2 1/2 mi l e s west of Westmins ter S ix th . S T A T E C O D E C O U N T Y : C O D E
I Mary land 3 . v C L AS S . F I C A T I O N
C A T E G O R Y " ~ T OWNERSHIP STATUS T ^ E S S I B L E (Check One) TO THE PUBLIC
• Distr ict r_ Building D Public Public Acquis i t ion: f_3 Occupied Y e s :
• Site • Structure Q_ P ' i v ° * * • l n P ™ « » Q Unoccupied D R c s , r i c , c d
D Object D Both D Being Considered Q P'eservot i .n work D U n r e s , r i c , e d
in progress U~
PRESENT USE fChecfc One or Afore as Appropriate)
I _3 Agriculturol __ Government __ Park Q Transportation _3 Comments
f~| Commercial O Industrial Q Private Residence [ j | Other (Specify)
|~) Educational __ Mil i tary Q Religious »
[~] Entertainment __ Museum Q Scientif ic « __
O W N E R ' S N A M E :
The B. F. S h r i v e r Company S T R E E T A N D N U M B E R :
Rai l road Avenue CITY OR TOWN: f STATE: CODF
Westminster I Maryland ~24 5.:. _OC^ATTO'N'OFLEGTLO11C :RTP"TTON
C O U R T H O U S E , R E G I S T R Y O F D E E D S . E T C :
C a r r o l l County Court House S T R E E T A N D N U M B E R :
Court House Square ___ C I T Y OR TOWN: S T A T E C O D E
Westminster Maryland 24
;V: Rj^MXiwXTTOrTJM" E XI ST INQjjuJ V E Y S" , TITLE OK SURVEY:
DATE OF SURVEY: Q Federal Q State [~\ County Q] Local
DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS:
S T R T f: T A N 5 iJTjM51. R •
C I T Y OR TOWN; S T A T E : C O D E
CARR-48 \7. DESCRIPTION
(Check One)
f~) Excellent CI Good f j Fair (?) Deter ioro fed ["J Ruins f~l Unexposed CONDITION — « 1 •
(Cheek One) (Chvck Van)
[~\ Altered fXj Unaltered [""] Moved QBJJ Or ig ina l Sito
D E S C R I B E T H E P R E S E N T A N D O R I G I N A L (if kr.own) P H Y S I C A L A P P E A R A N C E
Avondale stands on a low rise of ground on the south side of U.S. Route 31, about 2 1/2 miles west»of Westminster, Maryland.
It is a Georgian style two and one-half story brick house, measuring approximately 4 5 feet long by 18 1/2 feet deep. A two story brick north-west wing measures approximately 4 9 feet long by 13 feet deep
The formally arranged, Flemish bond principal facade faces southwest and has five symmetrically placed bays at the first floor level. The entrance doorway is located on a centered, two story pedimented pavillion that only slightly projects beyond the wall plane. This entrance consists of a double door and narrow flanking sidelights beneath an unusually pronounced arched fanlight. The four flanking windows of nine over nine pane sash have simple beaded surrounds and flat arches of splayed stretcher brick. On the second floor level is a Palladian window centered on the pavillion directly over the entrance door. Its four flanking windows are smaller than those below and have sash of six over six lights each. Extending across the facade between the outside ends of the sills of the two second floor end windows is a two course brick band. Within the pediment of the pavillion is a small lunette window. A single flush chimney stands at each end of the gable roof and there is a three part, dentiled wood cornice across the front and rear elevations. Although there are cornice
oreturns on the front pediment there are none on the ends of the house. On the rear elevation the exposed wall of the main block is two bays wide. A centered, first floor, .unornamented door opens into the main hall. Extending across this elevation, between the wing and the southeast corner of the main block and flush with the second floor window sills, is a projecting two course brick band.
The northeast wing was initially a detached or semidetached two story brick structure, three bays wide on its southeast side and one bay wide on the northwest side, which housed the summer kitchen in its single ground floor room. It has been suggested that this earliest part of the wing pre-dates the main block but similarities in structural and decorative detail indicate that the two were built at or about the same time. In about the mid nineteenth century the area between the main block and kitchen was closed by the addition of a two story, two bay extension of the kitchen. At about this same time a one-story, full width farm porch was built on the wings southeast elevation.
Although the plan of the principal facade would seem to suggest otherwise, the interior of Avondale is one of
(See continuation sheet No. 1)
CARR-48 W. SlGMtFICAHCE
P E R I O D (Chock One or More OS Appmpriolc>
• P r e - C o l u m b i a n ! Q 16th Cen tu ry _ . 18th Cen tu ry D 20th Cen tu ry
[ 1 15 th Cen tu ry D 17th Cen tu ry Q 19 th Cen tu ry
SPECIFIC DATEISI (II ApplhnbU- unci Known) _ ^
AREAS OP SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or Mora as Appropriate)
A b o r i g i n a l _ E d u c a t i o n (_] P o l i t i c a l • Urban P l a n n i n g
D P r e h i s t o r i c ___] E n g i n e e r i n g [___) R e l i g i o n / P h i - • 0 , h o r f *P»e»G0
• H i s t o r i c _Xj I n d u s t r y l osophy
_ j A g r i c u l t u r e [__] I n v e n t i o n _ _ Sc ience
[ j j j A r c h i t e c t u r e (___] L a n d s c a p e __] Scu lp tu re
D Art A r c h i t e c t u r e \~^\ S o c i a l / H u m a n -
• Commerce Q L i t e r o t u r e i t a r i a n
• C o m m u n i c a t i o n s r - j M i l i t a r y [__] T h e a t e r
• C o n s e r v a t i o n r j M u s i c r - j T r a n s p o r t a t i o n _ _
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Avondale is unique in Carroll County, being the only recorded example of an eighteenth century house with a formal facade that is based on elements of Georgian architecture. Although it displays'Federal influences and could be perhaps considered a transitional building, the arrangement of the facade establishes it as an important landmark significant to the study of regional architectural development.
The building of Avondale is attributed to Legh Masters who came to Carroll County from New Hall, Lancestershire, England in the early part of the eighteenth century. The Avondale tract was included among the several thousand acres he came to own in the area and it was here that he developed• the iron furnace of which traces still remain. Masters began the operation of the foundry in about the year 1770, thus the Avondale furnace is one of the oldest in Maryland. Following Masters death in 1796, the furnace was closed. Shortly before the Civil War, if was reopened under the auspices of the Ashland Ore Company and during the Civil War was utilize* for the manufacture of bomb shells. In 1880 the furnace was again closed and finally abandoned altogether.
Although there are numerous local stories involving Avondale, most of these are of supernatural nature. No events of a significant historical nature are known to have occurred, except the operation of the furnace. Avondale is presently owned by the B.F. Shriver Company of Carroll County and the house tenanted. There is a distinct possibility that the property may be soon sold and a great deal of public concern has been voiced concerning its preservation.
CARR-48 MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES '
B u l l o c k , Or in , - AIA A r c h i t e c t , O b s e r v a t i o n s o f A v o n d a l e , A p r i l 19 6 8 , c o n t a i n e d i n l e t t e r o f R i c h a r d M. J a c k s o n , J r . , A I A , d a t e d May 3 , 19 6 8 . .
G r a v e M a r k e r o f L e g h M a s t e r , A s c e n s i o n C h u r c h , W e s t m i n s t e r , Md. S h a r f , J . T h o m a s , H i s t o r y o f W e s t e r n M a r y l a n d , P h i l a d e l p h i a ;
L o u i s H. E v e r t s , 1 8 8 2 , V o l . I I , pp . " " 9 2 5 - 9 2 6 . USGS Map , N39 3 Q - W 7 7 0 0 / 7 . 5 , New W i n d s o r , M a r y l a n d , 1 9 7 1 .
10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ; L A T I T U D E A N D l O N G I T U U t C O O R D I N A T E S ' I . A T I T U W A N D L O M G I T ' I D E C O O R D I N A T E S " ~
D E F I N I N G A R E C T A N G L E L O C A T I N G T H E P R O ^ f R T Y 0 D E F I N I N G T h , ; L t K l S K P O I N l O F A P r t O P E R T Y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ^ P i L E 5 S T H A n T F N A C R E S
C O R N E K L A T I T U D E L O N G I T U D E L A T I T U D E L O N G I T U D E
Degree* Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes S-conds Degrees Minutes Seconds
N* • ' - • • - 39 ° 33 • 16 • 7 7 ° 0 1 ' 4 2 -
SE ° " "
5>\Y e * " ° * " I APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: Q _1_,r.eiC,
(LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES
STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE
STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
STATE: , CODE COUNTY: CODE
STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE
f i n F0RM PRr.PAREQ~_~Y _ N A M E A N D T I T L E : m
J . R i c h a r d R i v o i r e , A r c h i t e c t u r a l H i s t o r i _ a n O R G A N I Z A T I O N D A T E
Mary land H i s t o r i c a l T r u s t , , 1 J a n u a r y 197 5 S T R E E T A N D N U M B E R ;
2 1 S t a t e C i r c l e — . _ • C I T Y OR TOWN: S T A T E C O C E
___Ann_?.pQ_]_is . , STATE LlAlSOr' Q F F Y C E R CERTlfMCA 110.S : NATIONAL. REGISTER VERIFICATION ! _ _ _ _ , .
As the des igna ted Stave L ia i son Officer for the Ka-I hereby certify that t h i s property is included in the
t ional His tor ic P re se rva t ion Act of 19bC> (Publ ic Paw _,-, ,-/-rx T « , • . » • c • t Na t ions ! Reg i s te r . 89-bfo), I hereby nominate th i s property for inc lus ion " in the Nat iona l Reg i s t e r and certify that it h a s been eva lua ted according to the c-i teria and procedures s e t forth by the Nat iona l Pa rk Service . The recommended
Director, Otiice of Archeology mid Historic Preservation l eve l of s igni f icance of th is nomination i s :
Nat ional Q State Q L o c a l Q
Name t , (
A r t h u r C. Townsend
Tuie S t a t e H i s t o r i c P r e s e r v a t i o n U l l l C C r Kei per of Trie National Rci'.isfcr
Vtale r ' ' l l e
•ft U.S. C0VCRHKtr.N1 PRINTING OFFICE ; J073 -729 -W. U - 2 3-.
Form 10-300a UNI T ED ST AT ES D E P ARTMENT 0 F THE IN T ERIOR STATE (July 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE M a r y l a n d
N A T I O N A L REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY
INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM C a r r o l l FOR NPS USE ONLY
E N T R Y N U M B E R D A T E
(Continuation Sheet) # 1 —
(Number fill entries)
Avondale Farm House
7. DESCRIPTION, continued
fairly simple design, more Federal in detail than Georgian. Its most outstanding feature is that of the main stair, rising in four flights to the attic and decorated with delicately turned balusters, a molded rail and scrolled stepends. In combination with the fanlighted entrance the stair hall presents a very handsome appearance. In the two rooms flanking the hall (see plan) are simple mantles with molded cornice shelfs (in the northwest room a paneled closet stands adjacent to the projecting chimney), wide two piece surrounds on the windows and doors, and paneled wainscoting beneath molded chairrails. The two rooms and hall of the second floor are similarly treated. Beneath the house is a full, dirt floored cellar.
In the wing there are two rooms, both with large fireplace openings. A steep winding stair is enclosed within the recessed area adjacent, to the projecting chimney of the southwest room and the fireplace opening in the original kitchen is fitted with cranes and an iron doored oven. A large iron fireback originally standing in this opening was removed several years ago, but remains on the property.
Avondale has, from years of neglect, suffered extensive damage from deterioration. The graceful and noteworthy entrance door has lost 9 0 percent of its fan and side lights and the floor of the southeast first floor room of the main block has collapsed into the cellar. The remainder of the house appears physically sound but is in great need of general repairs before it, too, is lost.
Near the house is a pyramid roofed smokehouse and a frame washhouse, both in good repair. There are no vestiges of former gardens or otner outbuildings remaining except a large nineteenth century barn near the entrance to the property. Ore pits remaining from the iron furnaces of Legh Masters are, however, evident at a distance not far from the house.
U . S.G.S. MAP
NEW WINDSOR, MD.
It 24000 SCALE
CARR-48 Avondale (Legh Masters House, Furnace Hills) 501 Stone Chapel Road, Westminster A Map of Frederick and Washington Counties, State of Maryland, 1808, Charles Varle
CARR-48 Avondale (Legh Masters House, Furnace Hills) 501 Stone Chapel Road New Windsor Quadrangle
