THE BUILDER

The Hammond-HarwoodHouse was built in 1774 by MatthiasHammond, a Maryland patriot deeply involvedin the public affairs of his day. A manof wealth, education and spirit, he wished hishouse to occupy a proud place among thedistinguished buildings already lending characterand urbanity to the colonial city ofAnnapolis. William Eddis, Crown Surveyorof the Customs, said of the city in 1769,—“thereare few towns of the same size, in anypart of the British dominions, that can boasta more polished society.”

At the age of 25, Matthias Hammond waselected to the Provincial Assembly. He wasa member of the General Convention of 1774and a member of the Committee of Correspondence.He signed the Proclamation ofFreemen of Maryland, the Declaration ofRights, and was Quartermaster of the SevernBattalion of Anne Arundel Militia.

DISAPPOINTED HOPES

The legendhas persisted through the years that Mr.Hammond built the beautiful house for hisintended bride. The delicacy and abundanceof the carved ornamentation, the eleganceand refinement of detail, seem to bear witnessto the story. A bachelor would have been content,perhaps, with the splendid plan, solidconstruction and fine proportion of his house.Ironically, it was because of his intense preoccupationwith the very details designed toplease her, that his fiancée became disenchantedand refused to marry him. Whetherbroken-hearted or embittered, he remained abachelor to the end of his days, devoting himselfto affairs of state.

THE ARCHITECT

The talented architectWilliam Buckland was entrusted withthe design. His mastery of mass and proportion,2as well as the perfect execution of detailhad been well demonstrated by his workat Gunston Hall, George Mason’s famedhouse in Virginia, and other fine houses ofthe period. The Hammond-Harwood Houseis eloquent testimony of his ability, andmarks the zenith of his career. Built in threesections of handsome salmon-coloured bricktypical of Maryland clay, it is considered byall authorities to be one of the finest examplesof Georgian architecture in the UnitedStates.

THE DOORWAY

The tall Ionic columnsof the doorway, often called the mostbeautiful in America, support an entablaturewith architrave, pediment and frieze of ribbonedlaurel. Exquisitely carved roses ornament3the spandrels and egg and dart moldingsoutline the door and fan-light.

THE INTERIOR

The handsome doorwayis but a prelude to the elaboration of detailwithin the house. Acanthus and tobaccoleaves, reminiscent of Hammond’s extensivetobacco plantations, ornament the brokenpediment and frame over-mantels. The diningroom acclaims the woodcarver at hisbest, with moldings, shutters, doors, chair-railand fireplace decorated with beauty andrestraint. The great charm of the ballroom,considered to be one of the most beautifulcolonial rooms ever built, lies in its fine proportions,high ceiling, and atmosphere ofgrace and dignity. It was a setting to addlustre to the many brilliant social gatheri

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