Early Architecture in Maryland

Ruth Mitchell

 

Timothy Riordan

At the May 9 CCASM meeting we had two talks relating to the early architecture in Maryland.  The talks were followed by our annual business meeting.

First, Ruth Mitchell reviewed the architecture of St. John's Freehold (1638-ca.1740), one of the earliest major plantations established in Maryland.  She highlighted recent archaeology that expanded on the archaeology done in the 1970s and significantly enhanced our understanding of early vernacular buildings.  Ruth is a Senior Staff Archaeologist at Historic St. Mary’s City.

Then Timothy Riordan discussed the transition from impermanent to formal architecture in Maryland.  He provided a review, both archaeological and historical, of a number of public and private structures built in the last half of the 17th century.  Tim is the Director of Archaeology at Historic St. Mary’s City.

In both cases we learned details about how these buildings were constructed and also what clues in the ground they leave behind.

And for the first time we used our new projector.

 Attendance: 16