Poplar Hill Mansion

The Poplar Hill Mansion is a historic U.S. mansion located at 117 Elizabeth Street, Salisbury, Maryland and is open to the public as a house museum.[2][3]

For other uses, see Poplar Hill (disambiguation).
Poplar Hill Mansion
Location117 Elizabeth St., Salisbury, Maryland
Coordinates38°22′17″N 75°35′43″W
Area0 acres (0 ha)
Architectural styleFederal
NRHP reference No.71000380[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 7, 1971

History

Major Levin Handy purchased 357 acres (1.44 km2) of land outside of Salisbury in 1795 and began construction of this Federal-style building later that year.[2] Due to lack of funds stemming from severe medical problems, Major Handy discontinued construction of the mansion and put it up for sale in 1803.[2] In 1805, Dr. John D. Huston purchased the incomplete house and continued its construction.[3] Sarah Huston, Dr. Huston's widow inherited the estate, which included eighteen enslaved people and $110. She sold some of the property for development in the late 1840s to early 1850s.[2] In 1881, George Waller purchased the estate and his family lived there until 1945.[2] In 1945, Fred A. Adkins purchased the property and renovated the house, modernizing it.[2] In 1948, Mr. & Mrs. Ward A Garber purchased the estate.[2] In 1970, Wicomico County purchased the estate and the mansion was placed in public trust in 1974 under the ownership of the City of Salisbury.[3] In 1971, Poplar Hill Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Architectural features

Some of the architectural features of the mansion include:[3]

  • Tall proportions
  • Bold gable-fronted facade
  • Large sash windows
  • Delicate & intricate Federal or neoclassical style woodwork
  • Finely detailed Palladian windows on the hall landing to the second floor & over the front door

Ghost legend

According to legend, a slave girl named Sara perished in the house after her dress caught on fire in the second floor rear bedroom during the Huston period.[3] Since that time, there have been reports of a "consoling" spirit.[3]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Paul B. Touart (April 1998). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Poplar Hill Mansion" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  3. Poplar Hill Mansion. "Poplar Hill Mansion" brochure, July 2001.
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