Evening star., 1949-11-05
Mr.. Proctor Commended
For Article on Calvert Mansion


For Article on Calvert Mansion
To the Editor of The Star:
Lovers of Maryland's Colonial architecture
must have enjoyed John Clagett Proctor's
article in Sundays issue pertaining to River
dale and the Calvert Mansion. Some of the
information presented was of exceptional
interest since. to my knowledge, it has not
appeared elsewhere in any texts on the sub
ject. 1t obviously was necessary for space
reasons to omit considerable other informa-
ton, some widely known and other items
more obscure.
Henry Clay is popularity supposed to have
evolved the Missouri Compromise there in
second-hoor bedroom now appropriately
marked by silver plate on the door. More
recently the old house successfully was the
home Of Senators Hiram Johnson Of Cali
fornia and Hattie Caraway of Arkansas. It
Is likely though not a proven fact that
George Washington was frequent visitor
here, since Rosalia (Stirer or Won Stier)
Calvert was a sister-in-law of Jackie Parke
Custis. Washington's stepson, he having
married George Calvert's sister at Mount
Airy, now the Dover House. with the first
President in attendance.
AS for the home itself, after the vicissi-
tudes OF time some abominable defacements
and many Inflated commercial enterprises,
it is fortunate that it has been acquired by
the Maryland Park and Planning Commits
sion for its permanent quarters. Three
rooms will be retained without change under
the supervision Of the Maryland Historical
Society. In renovating another room this
past summer, the Planning Commission
found some interesting wall paper depicting
hunting scene in color which has been
ascribed as original, circa 1894. It carefully
was retained and covered with glass for the
interest Of posterity.
The visitor there today must marvel at the
20-foot ceiling height of the drawing room
compared with that of q second floor hall
way with headroom OF less than feet.
Antlquarians have pronounced the table in
the dining room an original Duncan Phyfe;
the series Of pedestals supporting its 25-foet
length must indicate fabulous valuation.
The grandfather's clock on the stairway land
ing also is ascribed as an original, more than
200 years old but keeping perfect time.
1t Is believed that the badly corroded can
non IN the flower bed in the south grounds
Is one Of four brought to the colony on the
Ark and the Dove in 1884. Another is on
the grounds of st. Johns College at Anna
polls, but the whereabouts of the remaining
two is not known.
Mr.. Proctor's note on the black and white
marble porch paving is Of interest Elver-
ton Hall in the Mullikin vicinity possesses
this construction as well as marble mantel-
pieces such as Calvert Mansions. Some
have expressed the opinion that these fea-
lures disprove the early date of mid
eighteenth century accepted for Elverton
Hall. It appears likely that while more
prevalent in the later construction for the
wealthy it was entirely unknown in the 175os.
A visit to Calvert Mansion is rewarding
one for any one interested in our early archi-
lecture. Too few Of the mansion-type homes
OF this period remain today, and Mr. Proc
tor is to be commended for his painstaking
research. JAMES C.. WuFONG, Jr.