Cloverfields outside Centreville
The Historical Society of Kent County is going out of its way to celebrate the recent donation of the letters and drawings of Kent County preservationist and historian Michael Bourne for good reasons.
The first, of course, is the material itself since Michael’s lifetime of research and preservation architecture in throughout the Mid-Atlantic is now safely in the hands of good stewards for countless numbers of scholars in the future. Bourne’s work faithfully documented almost every historic structure in Chestertown and the surrounding region, which motivated dozens of philanthropic projects to rescue those houses from demolition.
The Bourne research also led to the 1998 publication of Historic Homes of Kent County, a painstakingly comprehensive survey of architectural history that deservedly won praise from the academic community and the general public.
The second reason this is such good news is that more local people need to know about Michael and his critical role in saving some of the very best examples of Chestertown’s past.
Working discreetly with a handful of active volunteers under the banner of Preservation, Inc., Michael and town preservationists such as Wilbur Hubbard, Maynard Presley White, Dave Ferguson, David Williams, Karl E. Miller, and myself, the group would rescue such important landmarks as 518 High Street, The Buck Bacchus Store at 116 High Street, The John Greenwood House at 126 Queen Street, The Bolton and Dunn Houses at 135 & 137 Queen Street, and, finally, the Sumner Hall GAR Post.
Sumner Hall GAR Post
The same group was pivotal in finding new owners to save numerous Scott’s Point area buildings and four houses on the 200 block of Cannon Street. In all of these projects, Michael Bourne was the linchpin, instrumental in the selection, stabilization, design, and supervision of the restoration of all of them.
He was also the guiding light as a restoration consultant for notable projects like the Customs House and The White Swan Tavern. In total, Bourne’s body of work included preserving and restoring more than 100 structures throughout the Chesapeake region.
After Preservation, Inc. sunset in 1995, Michael worked for the Maryland Historical Trust as an easement administrator and certified approximately 400 buildings throughout the state.
One of Michael’s last projects before retirement was a collaboration on Cloverfields outside Centreville.
The one consistent factor in all of Michael’s work was his modesty. Reserved by nature, Bourne, who had at one point seriously considered becoming a priest, prioritized staying under the radar, which endeared him to shy landowners and modest donors.
But a lifetime of discretion also meant that when Michael passed away last year, perhaps only a handful of us knew firsthand how impactful his role was in saving these irreplaceable historic assets.
And that is why I am so pleased that the Historical Society, of which Michael was a proud member, has made it a priority to preserve his work and celebrate his legacy.
Chris Havemeyer was a board member of Preservation, Inc. from 1974 to 1996 and former owner of the White Swan Tavern in Chestertown.
The Historical Society of Kent County will be honoring Michael Bourne on October 8 from 2pm to 4 pm. For more information please go here.
Rick Balaban says
Thank you Chris. This is an important message, well delivered, and the work isn’t finished yet.
Paula Reedert says
I count myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to collaborate wih Michael Bourne on the inclusion of my property; Hebron, in his landmark publication “Historic Houses of Kent County” as well as various other historic preservation initiatives. Michaels encyclopedic knowledge of historic architecture and our (unfortunately) dwindling local inventory of historic structures and his scholarly and gentlemanly approach to preserving and championing both the record and maintenance of these properties was unparalleled and key to their continued appreciation and preservation. Michael was a marvelous gentle giant in the field of historic preservation on the Eastern Shore and is sorely missed.
Michael H C McDowell says
A well deserved tribute to Michael, Chris. And a story you may remember. Michael and Ann, you, Davy McCall, and Mackey Dutton were guests in our beloved John Bolton House perhaps five years ago now, at a lunch to celebrate our purchase and love of Bolton House. At one point, seated around my wife Susan’s family’s historic dining room table, Ann turned to Michael and said something like: “Do you remember years ago that you and I met for the first time in this dining room when it was part of an apartment house?” And they both smiled at each other tenderly. That was a wonderful occasion. We continue to preserve the house for future generations, like Mackey Dutton did, as we hope future owners will. You and Preservation Inc. restored the original floors, moldings, etc. so that Bolton House is truly an authentic 1759 colonial town house built by John Bolton, the key citizen of Chestertown in the Revolution.
Marsha Fritz says
Thanks, Chris, for your article. Michael was among the first generation of preservationists. His legacy is important for Chestertown, Marrland and beyond.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Micheal Bourne was such a lovely man. When we bought Clark’s Conveniency 36 years ago, he was a great help explaining
the treasure of “owning” an 18 century house. “One never owns, but ensures it passes on to the next generation”.
The book he authored is a classic and his dedication to preserving Kent history will benefit generations to come.
We’ll done sir!
Samantha Hollomon says
Thank you for your letter, Chris. I agree that the work of Michael Bourne is remarkable in its breadth and depth. I’m so pleased that our Historic Society will be the stewards of his work and that we get to gather to celebrate him. His is a kind face I very much miss seeing about town.
Nancy Taylor Robson says
Amen, Chris.
Ann Bourne says
Thanks to Chris, to The Spy, and to those who have left such thoughtful comments below.
As the article states, Michael’s research and drawings of historic structures and sites in Kent County are being donated to the Historical Society of Kent County. Additionally, his work on historic structures and sites on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and Lower Delaware will be donated to the Nabb Center at Salisbury University and his work on sites in Virginia will be donated to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – all intended to make his body of work available for future research and to aid those who share in his lifelong love of historic preservation.