Thomas Stone National Historic Site

Thomas Stone National Historic Site
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

Habre-de-Venture; Thomas Stone National Historic Site

Haberdeventure, Front View, September 2009
Location in U.S. state of Maryland
Location 6655 Rose Hill Rd., near jct. with MD 225 and 6, Port Tobacco, Maryland
Coordinates 38°31′52.2″N 77°2′21.3″W / 38.531167°N 77.039250°W / 38.531167; -77.039250Coordinates: 38°31′52.2″N 77°2′21.3″W / 38.531167°N 77.039250°W / 38.531167; -77.039250
Area 360 acres (145.7 ha)[1]
Built 1771
Architect Unknown
Architectural style Georgian
Visitation 4,500 (2005)
NRHP Reference # 72001595
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 31, 1972[2]
Designated NHS November 10, 1978
Designated NHL November 11, 1971[3]

The Thomas Stone National Historic Site, also known as Haberdeventure or Thomas Stone House, is a United States National Historic Site located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Washington D.C. in Charles County, Maryland. The site was established to protect the home and property of Thomas Stone, one of the 56 signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. His home and estate were owned by the Stone family until 1936.

History

Stone purchased Haberdeventure in 1770 and began construction of a new home in 1771. Stone's original plan was to build a small, modest home for him, his wife, and their two daughters but before the house was completed, his father died and five of his younger brothers and sisters came to live with him at Haberdeventure creating the need for larger living quarters. During the 1780s, the Haberdeventure slave plantation probably supported about 25 to 35 people including a number of slaves. By the time of Stone's death in 1787, Haberdeventure had increased in size from 442 acres (1.79 km2) to 1077 acres (4.36 km2). Stone was buried in the family cemetery adjacent to his home.

Descendants of Thomas Stone continued to own Haberdeventure until 1936 when the land was sold.

The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.[1][3]

The property was privately owned until 1977 when a fire severely damaged the central section of the house. Haberdeventure was authorized as a National Historic Site a year later in 1978 and was purchased by the National Park Service in 1981. Restoration efforts on the historic structures began at this time but the house was not opened to the public until 1997.

Today, a visitor center located at the site has exhibits on the Declaration of Independence and the life of Thomas Stone. Guided tours of Haberdeventure are also offered. In 2008, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site ranked 344th among 360 sites where the National Park Service tracks attendance with 5,720 visitors.[4]

4.4 miles straight south of the historic site on Chapel Point Road is a modern home built to replicate the older home.

References

  1. 1 2 Charles W. Snell (May 27, 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Habre-de-Venture (Thomas Stone House)" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying photos, exterior and interior, from 19 (32 KB)
  2. ↑ National Park Service (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. 1 2 "Habre-De-Venture". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  4. ↑ "Humble Md. Park Typifies Shift From Scenic to Cerebral: National System 'Uniquely American,' Unevenly Attended," By David A. Fahrenthold, The Washington Post, September 26, 2009.
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