Rodgers Tavern

Last updated
Rodgers Tavern
Rodgers Tavern Apr 10.JPG
Rodgers Tavern, April 2010
USA Maryland location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location259 Broad Street, Perryville, Maryland
Coordinates 39°33′26″N76°4′42″W / 39.55722°N 76.07833°W / 39.55722; -76.07833
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1750 (1750)
NRHP reference No. 72000576 [1]
Added to NRHPApril 26, 1974

Rodgers Tavern, also known as Stevenson's Tavern, is a historic hotel located at Perryville, Cecil County, Maryland, United States. It is a mid-18th-century, two-story stone structure with a basement. All rooms have corner fireplaces. It was frequently visited by George Washington between the years 1755 and 1798, when it was owned and operated as an inn and tavern by Colonel John Rodgers (1728–1791). He was the father of John Rodgers (1772–1838), U.S. naval officer. During the 1880s the house was divided into two halves, east and west. [2]

Contents

Rodgers Tavern was listed on the National Register of Historic Places during 1972. [1]

Construction

Rodgers Tavern, formerly known as Stevenson's Tavern, is an 18th-century historical tavern in Cecil County. [3] The tavern is located on 259 Broad Street, Perryville MD, 21903 and is originally known as the Ferry House due to the fact that it was built next to a ferry in 1695. [3] The original owner of the tavern was William Stevenson. [4] There were other tavern keepers in later years until 1886 when the use of bridges and railroads began to replace the use of ferries and carriages, which caused the route that the tavern was on to decrease in popularity and no longer needed. [5] The Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington Railroad bought the property as the tavern went into a period of neglect and deterioration. [5] In 1956, the Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities bought the tavern and friends of Rodgers Tavern began to rebuild the property to its former state. [6] In 1956, the Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities bought the tavern and friends of Rodgers Tavern began to rebuild the property to its former state. In 1972, the tavern was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. [6]

Architecture

The architecture for Rodgers Tavern is unique to the 18th century. [6] The tavern has two stories. [6] The exterior of the tavern is made out of stone that displays a fine quality of stone masonry, which gave the building a sense of taste and helped meet the needs of the taverns activities. [6] The facade has 5 openings on each story. [6] The center opening is an entrance to the first story and the basement. [6] The main entrance consists of separate doors. [6] The interior of the tavern is very distinctive as well with windows located on the first and second stories with 6 over 6 sash and wide frames. [6] The East and West gables have two windows at each level and the cornice of the low pitched roof continues on all sides, which create pent eaves on the gables. [6] The main floor has two parlors, one for the public and the other was a small office. [6] The front parlor contains original 18th century paneling. [6] The second floor has 5 chambers that were used mainly by its guests. [6] Each room contains a corner fireplace. [6] The southeast parlor is an original room, which contains raised panel chimney breast, bold cornice, 3 piece chair rail and original windows and door trim. [6] This was the most elaborate design for all the rooms and tradition says that George Washington stayed in the northeast bedroom. [6] In the 1880s, the house was divided into an east wing and a west wing with the original staircase being replaced by two steep enclosed stairs. [6] The attic served as quarters for the guests’ servants, but was roughly finished. [6]

Usage (American Revolution - 1972)

The Rodgers family actively supported the American cause during the American Revolution. [3] Due to its location on the main thoroughfare and the owners’ stalwart patriotism, it became a favorite stopping place for such Revolutionary figures as Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Jefferson, and Madison. [3] In 1775, Colonel John Rodger is known for leaving his post operating the ferry and tavern in order to assemble and lead the 5th Company of the Maryland militia, which later became associated with the Flying Corps, an integral part of the early Revolution. [7] John Rodgers Jr. became known as the “Father of the American Navy” for his service in the war of 1812 as Commodore of the American Navy. [7] In 1781, just after Rodgers bought the tavern, Washington brought troops through Lower Ferry Crossing where he would later win the battle of Yorktown against Cornwallis. [7] He noted in his diary that he often dined there when traveling from Virginia to Philadelphia. [3] Rodgers Tavern was convenient in its direct location across from Havre de Grace. [8] Washington spent the night thirty times between 1775 and 1798 from his days in the pre-Revolutionary military through his presidency. [8]

Following the American Revolution, Rodgers Tavern continued as a well-frequented establishment known for excellent food and entertainment. [9] However, the Lower Susquehanna Route, in which Rodgers Tavern is located on, became less popular with the introduction of bridges and railroads over the now antiquated ferries and carriages. The prominence of the tavern diminished and was no longer needed, but it stayed open until around 1886. [9] Because of its minimal use, the tavern largely deteriorated. It wasn’t until 1956, when the Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities purchased the building, that a preservation and revitalization effort began to save the tavern. [9] 16 years later, the tavern was finally entered in the National Register of Historic Places. [1]

Recent Renovations (1972 - Present)

In the past decade, the tavern served as a small museum and offices to the town chamber of commerce. [8] Located in the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Area, Rodgers Tavern has received tremendous support for rehabilitation. [10] Since its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, Rodgers Tavern has been a focus for many restoration projects, such as the Rodgers Tavern Readiness Project. The Rodgers Tavern Readiness Project is facilitated by the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (LSHG). The LSHG is a non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate local economic activity by developing a linkage between our natural, historic and cultural resources. [11] In 2008, LSHG received $100,000 from state grants towards the Rodgers Tavern Readiness Project. [12] The scope of the project has been to restore this key historic property to its original uses as a tavern and ferry crossing for educational, recreational and economic development purposes. The overall project consists of three phases which include, 1. Facility stabilization and restoration, 2. Pier and trail construction and 3. Facility readiness. [13] In 2010, LSHG requested $150,000 to ultimately complete the third and final phase of the Rodgers Tavern Readiness Project. [13] According to the Baltimore Sun, the state has awarded LSHG $125,000 to complete the renovations. The grant will pay for interior and exterior repairs. [14] The restoration plans include a new roof, gutters, downspout, interior plaster walls, fresh interior paint, electric work, heating, air conditioning, and a sewage connection to the city. [8] During a recent excavation, artifacts have been found on site that are currently in storage until the reopening of the tavern. These artifacts consisted of antique clothing, furniture, and small trinkets. [8]

Perryville History

The town of Perryville itself has a rich history that surrounds the unassuming tavern. It was founded in 1608 after Captain John Smith visited following his adventure as the first European explorer to navigate the Susquehanna River. [7] ). It was first settled by Edward Palmer after he was granted a patent for what is now Garrett Island. In the 1600s, Lord Baltimore granted Lord Talbot 31,000 acres of land, including Perryville. [7] The town went through many names before its incorporation in 1882, including “Lower Ferry” in 1695 and “Susquehanna” in the 1700s. [7] It wasn’t until the later 1700s that it came to be known as “Perryville” after John Bateman's wife, Mary Perry. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cecil County, Maryland</span> County in the United States

Cecil County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland at the northeastern corner of the state, bordering both Pennsylvania and Delaware. As of the 2020 census, the population was 103,725. The county seat is Elkton. The county was named for Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore (1605–1675), the first Proprietary Governor of the Province (colony) of Maryland. With the eastern part of the county being closer to Philadelphia than to Baltimore, it is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is located in Wilmington's Radio Market and Baltimore's Designated Market Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent County, Maryland</span> County in Maryland, United States

Kent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, its population was 19,198, making it the least populous county in Maryland. Its county seat is Chestertown. The county was named for the county of Kent in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perryville, Maryland</span> Town in Maryland, United States

Perryville is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,361 at the 2010 census. The town is located near an exit for Interstate 95, on the north side of the outlet of the Susquehanna River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Deposit, Maryland</span> Historic district in Maryland, United States

Port Deposit is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. It is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River near its discharge into the Chesapeake Bay. The population was 653 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Havre de Grace, Maryland</span> City in Maryland

Havre de Grace, abbreviated HdG, is a city in Harford County, Maryland. It is situated at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of Chesapeake Bay. It is named after the port city of Le Havre, France, which in full was once Le Havre de Grâce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge</span> Bridge in Maryland and Perryville, Maryland

The Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge is a road bridge in northeast Maryland that crosses the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville via Garrett Island. It carries U.S. Route 40. It is the oldest of the eight toll facilities operated and maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority, and the southernmost automotive bridge across the Susquehanna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harpers Ferry National Historical Park</span> Park at confluence of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland in the United States

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, originally Harpers Ferry National Monument, is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The park includes the historic center of Harpers Ferry, notable as a key 19th-century industrial area and as the scene of John Brown's failed abolitionist uprising. It contains the most visited historic site in the state of West Virginia, John Brown's Fort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States National Register of Historic Places listings</span> Register for landmarks in the United States

The National Register of Historic Places in the United States is a register including buildings, sites, structures, districts, and objects. The Register automatically includes all National Historic Landmarks as well as all historic areas administered by the U.S. National Park Service. Since its introduction in 1966, more than 90,000 separate listings have been added to the register.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington state</span>

This is a list of properties and historic districts in Washington that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are at least three listings in each of Washington's 39 counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland Route 7</span> State highway in Maryland, US

Maryland Route 7 (MD 7) is a collection of state highways in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for much of their length as Philadelphia Road, there are five disjoint mainline sections of the highway totaling 40.23 miles (64.74 km) that parallel U.S. Route 40 (US 40) in Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil counties in northeastern Maryland. The longest section of MD 7 begins at US 40 just east of the city of Baltimore in Rosedale and extends through eastern Baltimore County and southern Harford County to US 40 in Aberdeen. The next segment of the state highway is a C-shaped route through Havre de Grace on the west bank of the Susquehanna River. The third mainline section of MD 7 begins in Perryville on the east bank of the Susquehanna River and ends at US 40 a short distance west of the start of the fourth section, which passes through Charlestown and North East before ending at US 40, just west of Elkton. The fifth segment of the highway begins at South Street and passes through the eastern part of Elkton before reconnecting with US 40 east of Elkton and west of the Delaware state line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland Route 222</span> Highway in Maryland

Maryland Route 222 (MD 222) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The highway runs 11.36 miles (18.28 km) from MD 7 in Perryville north to U.S. Route 1 (US 1) near Conowingo. MD 222 connects Perryville, Port Deposit, and Conowingo along its route paralleling the Susquehanna River in western Cecil County. Due to limitations in the highway in Port Deposit, including a steep hill and a low-clearance railroad bridge, trucks are directed to use MD 275, MD 276, and US 1 through Woodlawn and Rising Sun to connect Interstate 95 (I-95) with US 222 in Conowingo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amtrak Susquehanna River Bridge</span> Bridge in Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland

The Amtrak Susquehanna River Bridge is a Howe deck truss structure that carries two tracks of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line across the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conowingo, Maryland</span> Unincorporated community in Maryland, United States

Conowingo is a community in northwestern Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The community replaced a previous one that was inundated by a reservoir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David D. Rudolph</span> American politician

David D. Rudolph is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Maryland's District 35B from 1995 to 2002 and District 34B from 2003 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Principio Furnace</span> United States historic place

Principio Furnace and village is in Cecil County, Maryland, 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Havre de Grace, MD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kennedy Farmhouse</span> Historic house in Maryland, United States

The Kennedy Farm is a National Historic Landmark property on Chestnut Grove Road in rural southern Washington County, Maryland. It is notable as the place where the radical abolitionist John Brown planned and began his raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. Also known as the John Brown Raid Headquarters and Kennedy Farmhouse, the log, stone, and brick building has been restored to its appearance at the time of the raid. The farm is now owned by a preservation nonprofit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sion Hill</span> Historic house in Maryland, United States

Sion Hill is a National Historic Landmark in Havre de Grace, Maryland, notable as an example of high-style Federal architecture and as the home of a family of prominent officers of the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooklandville House</span> United States historic place

Brooklandville House, or the Valley Inn, is a historic restaurant and tavern building, and a former inn, located in Brooklandville, Baltimore County, Maryland. It is a 2+1⁄2-story stone structure facing the former railroad and dating from about 1832. It is associated with the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad, which crossed the property just to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perryville Tavern</span> United States historic place

The Perryville Tavern, also known as the Perryville Inn, is a historic building at 167 Perryville Road in Perryville, Union Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 15, 1977 for its significance in architecture and commerce. The tavern is located west of Clinton, south of the intersection of Interstate 78 and Perryville Road.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ↑ Mrs. Preston Parish (August 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Rodgers Tavern" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "User account | Perryville MD".
  4. ↑ "Rodgers Tavern Historical Marker".
  5. 1 2 "Rodgers Family Papers, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania".
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se5/006000/006400/006468/pdf/msa_se5_6468.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Perryville History | Perryville MD".
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rodgers Tavern to be reopened as museum". 24 July 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "Rodgers Tavern | Perryville MD". www.perryvillemd.org. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  10. ↑ "History & Culture". www.hitourtrails.com. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  11. ↑ "About Us". www.hitourtrails.com. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  12. ↑ "Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Provides 58 Grants to Heritage Tourism Sites, Activities, and Organizations Across Maryland" (PDF). August 6, 2008.
  13. 1 2 "State of Maryland 2010 Bond Bill Fact Sheet" (PDF).
  14. ↑ "Perryville's historic Rodgers Tavern to be restored". tribunedigital-baltimoresun. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.