Since this week we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American colonies’ Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, it is only fitting that today’s feature is a pre-Revolutionary house. In 1808, Joseph Thomas Miller purchased a house that was built in 1743 on a 200 acre property near what is now Tolchester on the Upper Shore. By the time of his death in 1830, his acreage had increased to 1000 acres.
The 1743 two and a half story house was two rooms wide, one room deep with a hipped roof over what is now a screened porch. In 1825, Miller built an addition of a two-and a half story Federal style wing that telescoped up from the 1743 wing of the house. The distinctive feature of the west side wall of the addition was the double chimney with a window in between at the third floor. Above the window, Mitchell installed a plaque inscribed with “Joseph T. Mitchell, 1825”. At the opposite exterior wall, another double chimney serves only one fireplace but the chimney was built out to match the one on the west wall to maintain the symmetry of the addition.
The front façade of the 1825 addition was laid in Flemish bond with grapevine mortar joints; the side and rear facades are laid in Liverpool bond. The rear façade also has a water table. In the early 1900’s, the front windows of the 1825 wing were lowered on both floors and 2/2 windows and wood shutters were added. On the day of my visit, I noticed the clue of the faint white angled edge along the reddish brick that was the outline of the 1825 open porch’s roof.
When the 1825 wing was built, instead of including an interior stair to reach the upper floors, the unusual solution was to construct a stair whose exterior wall extended from the 1743 wing’s roof ridge to the front wall of the 1825 wing.
The third owners of the property carved out 30 acres for the Tolchester Amusement Park, built for the droves of summer vacationers who traveled by steamships from Baltimore. From 1962 -1971, the property become a nursing home; since 1982, the house became a B&B. In 1986, the current owners continued the property’s B&B use and christened the property “The Inn at Mitchell House. Their stewardship and extensive research about the property’s history have created a treasure trove of information for this historic architecture buff. The house is prominently featured in Historic Houses of Kent County, my main resource for Upper Shore historic houses.
Walking around the house, I discovered a kitchen garden outlined with white pea gravel paths and the original smokehouse with its weathered wood siding and roof. I was tempted to pause on the bench in the shade provided by its background of dense majestic trees but there was much more to discover.
At the rear and the east side of the house, the grassy lawn slopes gently to a large pond with a wooden bridge at the dam. I sat on the bridge’s built-in bench and admired the pastoral vista that would inspire any Plein Air painter!
Having explored the grounds, I went back to the 1825 addition’s front door to begin my tour of the interiors. Instead of a center hall plan, Mitchell created this long and wide hall that spans the depth of the wing past two side by side parlors. Both doors at the front and rear of the hall are six-paneled and have tall transoms for daylight. Molding, chair rail, antiques and charming stencils (the work of the current owner) adds character to the space.
The side by side parlors are identical in size. The front parlor’s long windows that once overlooked the porch may have been altered at an earlier time to be “jib” windows that would have had a pair of hinged lower panels. (When one raised the window sashes, the lower panels would swing open to walk through to an adjacent porch or terrace). The colorful Oriental rug over the beautiful wood floors anchors the seating area around the side wall’s fireplace. What a lovely room for reading by the fire or catching up on emails at the antique writing table!
Wide six-panel doors separate the two parlors and create vistas through the depth of the house. I admired how the deep green color of trim and moldings outlines the walls of the rooms. The beautiful furnishings in both parlors hearken to an earlier time of gracious living.
Both parlors have flat grooved trim and corner blocks; the mantels are supported by round columns, paneled friezes and wide mantels that overhang the side trim. The rear parlor’s windows have an unusual original detail; below each window is a raised panel that was set back from the interior wall with sloping jambs and trim that ends at the floor.
From the entry hall, two steps down lead to the dining room with a vista to the kitchen beyond. The dining room includes a cozy table for two beneath a window overlooking the grounds.
I admired the dining room’s exposed wood ceiling beams with their hand hewn edges and their stain that is highlighted by the white areas of the ceiling. I love rag rugs and this large one that anchors the dining table and chairs in the center of the room picks up the blue color of the doors. I admired the room’s antiques, especially the table against the side wall that does duty as a serving station. The wide door at the end of the room leads to the screened porch and the other door leads to a half bath.
The brick floors that were added in the mid-20th century are a great material for a busy B&B kitchen that needs low maintenance. More exposed, hand hewn stained beams add character to the space. The door by the rear stove leads to the screened porch and views of the landscape; the other door leads to a closet. I especially admired the antique chest of drawers under the marble countertop that has a new life as an island work space or for informal meals.
The second floor contains the guest bedrooms and baths. It is fitting that the largest bedroom, the Joseph T. Mitchell bedroom, with a sitting area and fireplace is named in honor of Mitchell. It is located above the front parlor on the first floor.
Shortly after the War of 1812’s Battle of Caulk Field nearby, Mitchell was taken prisoner by the British and sent to London; Mitchell did not return to his beloved home until 1817.
The Dr. William Ringgold Bedroom is the second largest bedroom and is located above the rear parlor on the first floor. Charming details including the curved canopy bed, antiques and the stenciled border that was a labor of love by the current owner makes this room the one I would choose.
At one time, Dr. Ringgold owned part of what became the Mitchells property. He and his wife Martha Hynson were prominent people in Kent County. (The Hynson–Ringgold House, sometimes known as “The Abbey”, is the official residence of the president of Washington College in nearby Chestertown).
The compact Martha Hynson bedroom is typically used in conjunction with the Joseph T. Mitchell bedroom. Since it does not have its own bathroom, it is a great option for families, siblings or friends to share.
Insert pix #15-Col. Phillip Reed Bedroom
The Col. Phillip Reed bedroom overlooks the garden behind the Inn and is located above the dining room. It is named for the Lieutenant Colonel and commander of the First Regiment, Maryland Militia that defeated the British at the Battle of Caulk’s Field during the War of 1812.
The Sir Peter Parker bedroom has views of both the front and rear lawns and garden of the Inn and is located above the kitchen. Sir Parker was the captain of the warship Menelaus, whose mission was to wreck as much havoc as possible onto the British ships in the War of 1812. In the battle of Caulk’s Field, the British were driven back but Parker was mortally wounded during the battle.
The Alton Marshall Bedroom Suite is tucked under the roof rafters above the kitchen and dining room. The bedroom is named in honor of Alton and Doris Marshall who bought the Mitchell House in 1980. Being retired schoolteachers and collectors and dealers of antiques, they were inspired to turn Mitchell House into an Inn, with a focus on weekend rentals. They added bathrooms and updated the bedrooms with some of their antiques.
Guest bathrooms include vintage accents like the claw foot tub are thoughtful reminders of the Inn’s past.
The third floor of the 1825 addition contains the Owners’ Suite with a private stair. For the past forty years, the current owners have managed the Inn at Mitchell House. Their stewardship and research about the property’s history have created a treasure trove for historic architecture buffs. They have compiled more than enough documentation for the next steward of this gem to apply for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Properties.
The Owners’ bedroom window on the third floor is tucked between the first floor parlors’ double chimneys. In winter one can see the broad expanse of the Chesapeake Bay.
One of Kent County’s most beloved historic estates that is listed on the National Star-Spangled Banner Trail and just a mile from the Chesapeake Bay, the Mitchell house is a rare pre-Revolutionary manor home. Sited on 9+ acres at the edge of knoll that gently slopes down past an original 18th century smokehouse to Stoneybrook Pond with its two private bridges creates endless peaceful vistas that encourage one to relax. The grounds include a large herb garden close to the kitchen, champion and organic fruit trees, shrubbery and colorful plantings, against a backdrop of woods and rolling farm fields.
The Inn’s interiors crafted and lovingly maintained over more than two centuries showcase 11 foot ceilings, original wood floors, bulls eye moldings, exposed hand hewn stained beams, and eight fireplaces from the age of gracious living to today’s private full time or part time peaceful retreat. My compliments to the current Owners for their beautiful interior design using their personal collection of antiques or family pieces. To continue the B&B use, a furniture package is available for a seamless turnkey transition.
The option of a future guest house, barn, stable, studio, etc. is possible due to a coveted sewer allotment that is included with the sale of the property. The Mitchell House awaits the next lucky steward of this significant piece of Kent County’s history!
For more information about this property, contact Tracy Stone of Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-0610 (c), or tstone@cbchesapeake.com , For more photographs and pricing, visit www.tracystonehomes.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
The Inn at Mitchell House, a three-star hotel, www.innatmitchellhouse.com
Photography by Patty Hill, www.pattyhillphotography.com.
Historic Photograph courtesy of the Tracy and Jim Stone Collection
Historic Houses of Kent County, by Michael Bourne, Edited by Eugene Hall, published by The Historical Society of Kent County, Inc.
