About this property
Chestertown Historic District is a historic district in Chestertown, Maryland. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, and its area was increased in 1984 and 2026. The town on the Chester River, became the chief port for tobacco and wheat on the Eastern Shore of Maryland between 1750 and 1790. The port declined thereafter, as Baltimore became the major port for such activity. In consequence, Chestertown acquired a collection of more than fifty Georgian style town houses. The 18th-century residential area survived without harm a 1910 fire that destroyed the central business district of Chestertown. Hynson-Ringgold House ("The Abbey"), 100 South Water Street. Built in 1767 by merchant Thomas Ringgold by uniting two adjoining 1735 houses into a three-art house. Interiors were designed by William Buckland between 1767 and 1771. The original Chippendale-Georgian paneling in the drawing room was removed and installed at the Baltimore Museum of Art in the 1920s. The house was restored in the 1930s and is the residence of the president of Washington College. Custom House, 101 South Water Street. A three-story brick house in two parts, stated to have been owned by the Ringgold family in the 1740s. The first floor was used as a warehouse, with living quarters on the upper levels. The building was used as Chestertown's custom house. The rear section was added in 1771. Widehall, 101 North Water Street. Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Widehall was built by Thomas Smythe about 1770. The house's exterior has been altered from the original Georgian style, while elaborate interiors remain. River House, also known as the Denton House, 107 North Water Street. Built between 1737 and 1743 by William Timbrill, a Barbados merchant. The interiors are Georgian, while the exterior has been modified in Greek Revival style. The paneling of the third floor master bedroom was purchased by the Winterthur Museum in 1926. A number of other structures on Water Street, High Street and Queen Street are included. Denton House and Widehall are also individually listed Registered Historic Places included in the district.
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Chestertown Historic District
This page lists Chestertown Historic District. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
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Questions about this property
When was Chestertown Historic District listed on the National Register?
Chestertown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1970.
What type of historic resource is Chestertown Historic District?
Chestertown Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Chestertown Historic District a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Chestertown Historic District has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for Chestertown Historic District?
The period of significance for Chestertown Historic District is recorded as the colonial era, specifically around 1750.
Can I research the history near Chestertown Historic District?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Chestertown Historic District will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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An Aubrey US report for an address near Chestertown Historic District will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.