National Parks:
Hampton National Historic Site

Towson, Maryland -- Hampton National Historic Site, located just north of Baltimore in Towson, Maryland, was once the center of a vast commercial, industrial and agricultural estate forged with indentured, enslaved, and paid labor. Hampton reflects a central irony in U.S. history: that a nation newly created on the principles of equality and freedom could accept the institution of slavery.

National events and social change - the Revolution, establishment of a new economy, slavery, the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction - are reflected in the site’s cultural resources, an unmatched and comprehensive assemblage of structures, landscapes, collections, and archives, preserved by one family over ten generations.

Inventories, diaries, and correspondence exist that document the working and living environments of enslaved people at Hampton. The result is an unusually complete chronicle that reveals the daily activities of the Ridgely family, laborers, and slaves, which illustrates 18th and 19th century history and design.

The Ridgelys owned the Hampton estate from 1745 until 1948, when it was transferred to the protection of the National Park Service. The splendid Georgian mansion, completed in 1790, was the heart of an estate of approximately 25,000 acres, not all contiguous. Elements included an iron furnace, mills, several farm properties, and urban businesses. The home farm, with barns, workers quarters and overseer’s house, was located directly across from the mansion and supported the mansion activities. Today the park encompasses some 20 buildings and 40,000 artifacts that survive to help tell the stories of the people who lived and worked here. The stories of the people of Hampton - enslaved African Americans, hired industrial and agricultural workers, and the estate owners, remind us that there is a human story behind the events that shaped this country.

Evolution of Significance

Hampton’s history also reflects changing perspectives in the way our country preserves, protects, and interprets history. In fact, the people that spearheaded the preservation of Hampton in the 1940’s became the organizing force behind the formation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The establishment order for the original 43.29-acre park noted “…Hampton is of national historical significance as a splendid example of a great Georgian Mansion illustrating a major phase of the architectural history of the United States….” The park consisted of the mansion, some of its furnishings, and formal grounds around the house. In the 1970’s, legislation was proposed to add the 14-acre farm property to the park. Testimony in support of the legislation noted “The significance of the farm is, simply, that Hampton originally was not just the mansion and its immediate grounds; rather it was a sprawling plantation….”. Park programs have mirrored this evolution, changing the primary focus from architecture and decorative arts to presentations that encompass the stories of all the people who lived and worked here.

Did You Know?

• With 63 acres, the park today is only .2% of the estate’s original 24,000-25,000 acres.
• Hampton will be celebrating the 57th anniversary of its establishment as a National Historic Site on June 22, 2005.
• The park is a site within the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.
• Over 180 volunteers contributed 14,750 hours, helping in all park divisions in fiscal year 2004.

Don't Miss These Attractions

• Explore the farm with a ranger: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily
• Second Sunday program series every month illuminates a different facet of Hampton’s history
• Other special walks and talks - find out more on the park webpage at www.nps.gov/hamp
• Self-guided exploration of the farmhouse, farm, family cemetery and stables containing family carriages: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily
• Self-guided exploration of the garden and grounds: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

Source: National Park Service