ANNE PEOPLES, REALTOR

Description

Originally built with handcrafted bricks in 1782, this Flemish Bond Georgian Colonial home is the embodiment of simple elegance. Restored with the utmost historical respect in the mid-1980’s with handcrafted oak windows and mahogany doors with period hardware and modernized with preservation-sensitive practices and materials over the past eight years by the current stewards of the home, step into the past while enjoying today’s comforts. The four-bay home has a traditional floor plan with the living and dining room flanking the center hall, a large sunken family room anchored by the massive hearth – reconstructed with original bricks from the 1782 structure and walnut mantel, and a kitchen and sunroom addition on the back of the home, added between the mid-80’s and early-90’s. The kitchen was afforded another renovation around 2008 with high end finishes and an open, welcoming concept ideal for functionality and entertaining. Follow the original staircase upstairs, running your hand along the centuries old banister to two of the bedrooms which share a generous bathroom off the second story landing. Closets have been incorporated in the landing and bedrooms to allow for modern storage solutions, all while using period specific paneling and hardware to replicate the historic aspects of the original design scheme of the 1790s. The primary suite wing, accessed by its own staircase, consists of a one-bay bedroom, dressing room with laundry, and an en suite bath overlooking the rear yard. Each bedroom has its own fireplace, where the gentle crackle of the flames offers a retreat from the modern world, inviting guests to appreciate simpler times and the charm of a bygone era. Modern comfort conveniences including two year new HVAC units, preservation-sensitive insulation, professionally restored windows with new storm windows, and two brand new woodstoves round out the incredible features that make this home low maintenance and turn-key. The studio barn, accessed by its own gravel drive and parking pad, is a two story, two bay garage, with an interior but separate workshop. Since 2018 it has been insulated, drywalled, painted, had its own dedicated water, high-voltage electric, and fiber optic internet lines run, and had a pellet stove installed. Situated on 6.8 serene acres, the current Ag zoning allows for a reasonable annual tax benefit, adding to the appeal of the rural lifestyle. The grounds have a mature boxwood hedge, a perimeter of pines, fallow pastures which fill with wildflowers throughout the summer, wandering paths to birdwatch, and scattered perennials which pop up each spring with a burst of color and personality. The home has a rich history dating back to the earliest settlements of Maryland. The namesake of the road upon which it sits, the home was built by the Lamb family who settled in the area in the 1600s, purchasing land from the area Native Americans. The Lambs went on to divide the farmland, constructing many homes built in the same period for their descendants including this one, the best-restored home of the Lamb houses. The Hepburns (actress Catherine Hepburn’s family) and the Bowers are part of the same local family. The local Library has a detailed reference book on the history of the Family. Friendship was constructed by Daniel Lamb in 1782 – the same year Washington College in Chestertown was founded. The original house was a four-room, split-level house. You can see “DL 1782” in the date brick that was salvaged when the chimney was reconstructed in 1985. Ten years later, his nephew went-on to construct the east wing of the house to complete the center-hall colonial you see today. The 1792 date brick for this addition for this addition can be located between the two windows on the east-wall exterior: “H DL 1792” for Harriet Bowers and Daniel Lamb. You can find Harriet’s signature on the ceiling beam of the center bedroom.

Features