Thursday, July 26, 2007
Visit to Kiplin Hall,the Home of Lord Baltimore
I planted a rose bush in the garden at Kiplin Hall, a gift from the City of Annapolis that was arranged by Annapolis resident David Fogle and Homestead Gardens. Forty years ago Kiplin was derelict and threatened with demolition. One woman, Bridgit Talbot struggled to save it. She succeeded. Residents in Annapolis and Maryland helped rescue the great Hall.
Kiplin Hall in North Yorkshire England is the birthplace of Maryland. The fashionable estate was built in the 1620's by George Calvert. Born nearby in 1579, Calvert was Secretary of State to King James I. As Roman Catholics, the Calverts lost political influence in 1625 during the religious struggles of the time.
With respect for the families service to England, James named Calvert Baron of Baltimore in County Longford, Ireland. Later, on June 20,1632, King Charles I offered George a plot of land north of Virginia, to be called Terra Maria in honour of Queen Henrietta Maria. George's son Cecil became the first proprietor of Maryland and Leonard, his brother, the first governor.
In November 1633, the first 150 settlers left England in 2 small boats - The Ark (125 feet long) and The Dove (49 feet) with 50 sailors, food and fuel for a 5 month voyage and supplies, tools and items for trade. They arrived on March 25,1634 to settle the new land of Maryland.
Kiplin Hall is in the beautiful rolling countryside of North Yorkshire -hill and dale country near the River Swale, the village of Scorton and the court town of Richmond. Count Alan of Brittany, also the founder of Richmond, held this land in 1086. It was and is agricultural land and horse racing country( it was popularly known in the 1700's as the Newcastle of the North). A track still exists at nearby Catterick, a military barracks that dates back to Roman times. A grand stand erected in Richmond in 1775 was demolished in the 1900's for it's copper.
In 1942 during WWII the hall was requisitioned for use by the RAF. Afterwards, families could not afford to restore the damage done and many old estates were being demolished. Bridgit Talbot, owner of Kiplin, spent 40 years seeking to save the Calvert estate. When the National Trust rejected her bid in 1958, she enlisted help from Maryland. In 1968, a Kiplin Hall Trust was formed for the derelict house. Eventually, the Maryland Historical Society and other Americans donated money to begin the restoration of Kiplin.
In May 2001, it was re-opened for the public. Mrs Peyto Fowler, a descendant of George Calvert and Annapolis resident was on hand to unveil the full size portrait of George Calvert, which is a copy of the original she commisioned for the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. David Fogle of Annapolis, retired professor emeritus of the University of Maryland Historical Preservation Program initiated a student summer program at Kiplin. The Foundation for Kiplin Hall to support this effort was launched on the May 2001 opening.
So, the tall, compact fashionable red brick estate of Jacobean design, the home of Maryland's founder, survives. American students study at Kiplin, do restoration work and design exhibits to help tell the story of 400 years of gentry living. Among the many special events held at Kiplin is an annual celebration in June of Maryland Charter Day describing 17th Century Maryland.
The link between Maryland and Kiplin is strong. In fact, residents of the State of Maryland are vital to Kiplins future. The Friends of Kiplin Hall is a charity that accepts donations from anyone interested in helping to maintain birth home of the State of Maryland.
Kiplin Hall in North Yorkshire England is the birthplace of Maryland. The fashionable estate was built in the 1620's by George Calvert. Born nearby in 1579, Calvert was Secretary of State to King James I. As Roman Catholics, the Calverts lost political influence in 1625 during the religious struggles of the time.
With respect for the families service to England, James named Calvert Baron of Baltimore in County Longford, Ireland. Later, on June 20,1632, King Charles I offered George a plot of land north of Virginia, to be called Terra Maria in honour of Queen Henrietta Maria. George's son Cecil became the first proprietor of Maryland and Leonard, his brother, the first governor.
In November 1633, the first 150 settlers left England in 2 small boats - The Ark (125 feet long) and The Dove (49 feet) with 50 sailors, food and fuel for a 5 month voyage and supplies, tools and items for trade. They arrived on March 25,1634 to settle the new land of Maryland.
Kiplin Hall is in the beautiful rolling countryside of North Yorkshire -hill and dale country near the River Swale, the village of Scorton and the court town of Richmond. Count Alan of Brittany, also the founder of Richmond, held this land in 1086. It was and is agricultural land and horse racing country( it was popularly known in the 1700's as the Newcastle of the North). A track still exists at nearby Catterick, a military barracks that dates back to Roman times. A grand stand erected in Richmond in 1775 was demolished in the 1900's for it's copper.
In 1942 during WWII the hall was requisitioned for use by the RAF. Afterwards, families could not afford to restore the damage done and many old estates were being demolished. Bridgit Talbot, owner of Kiplin, spent 40 years seeking to save the Calvert estate. When the National Trust rejected her bid in 1958, she enlisted help from Maryland. In 1968, a Kiplin Hall Trust was formed for the derelict house. Eventually, the Maryland Historical Society and other Americans donated money to begin the restoration of Kiplin.
In May 2001, it was re-opened for the public. Mrs Peyto Fowler, a descendant of George Calvert and Annapolis resident was on hand to unveil the full size portrait of George Calvert, which is a copy of the original she commisioned for the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. David Fogle of Annapolis, retired professor emeritus of the University of Maryland Historical Preservation Program initiated a student summer program at Kiplin. The Foundation for Kiplin Hall to support this effort was launched on the May 2001 opening.
So, the tall, compact fashionable red brick estate of Jacobean design, the home of Maryland's founder, survives. American students study at Kiplin, do restoration work and design exhibits to help tell the story of 400 years of gentry living. Among the many special events held at Kiplin is an annual celebration in June of Maryland Charter Day describing 17th Century Maryland.
The link between Maryland and Kiplin is strong. In fact, residents of the State of Maryland are vital to Kiplins future. The Friends of Kiplin Hall is a charity that accepts donations from anyone interested in helping to maintain birth home of the State of Maryland.
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