Somerset County offers a pristine woodland vista near sandy beaches. The two Somerset County Museums house everything from the sublime to the incredible. Visit the Early Americana Museum at Rt. 667 and Old Westover Road in Hudsons Corner. Lawrence W. Burgess was a scavenger and started the museum in a converted poultry house. It contains everything from political buttons to oyster tongs. The Governor J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum in Crisfield's exhibits pertain to the late governor, the history and development of the Crisfield Seafood industry, local art and folk lore and Indian life. Cruise to picturesque Smith Island or Tangier Island. Listen to the Elizabethan dialect and view the watermen harvesting the bounty of the Bay.At the head waters of the Manokin River in Somerset County is the town of Princess Anne. Charming and hospitable in the tradition of the Eastern Shore, its Washington Hotel hosted many distinguished men of Revolutionary times. The town was named in honor of the twenty four year old daughter of King George II. Located in a peaceful, sylvan area amid tall trees, it was at a narrow point in the river called the "wading place" where the land was well elevated that the founders chose to build. The town was created by an act of Maryland's General Assembly in 1733. It was conveniently suited for the purposes of a centrally located town in this serene county. The Somerset County Couthouse was built in 1904-05. Princess Anne is distinguished by many fine Federal style dwellings and mid-to-late 19th century Victorian houses. The William Geddes House circa 1755, is the oldest dwelling in Princess Anne at 11790 Church Street. The Charles Jones House, circa 1780, is one of the few 18th century homes. Princess Anne Days fills the town with tourists each October.
Teackle Mansion
In Princess Anne stands the Teackle Mansion, an outstanding example of early 19th century architectural design, built between 1802 and 1818-19 by merchant and statesman Littleton Dennis Teackle (1777-1838) and his wife Elizabeth Upshur Teackel. In 1802, Littleton Teackle purchased nine acres of the Beckford Plantation, and probably began construction on his federal-style dwelling that same year. Only the center section and part of the adjacent hyphens were built during the 1802 phase of construction. With a Flemish bond brick facade and highly-ornamented center section, the house was quite an impressive landmark.
Despite Teakle's strong interest in architecture and travels to Scotland and England, a professional probably oversaw the design and construction of the building, at least in its initial phase. The detail and ornamentation of the mansion's temple front is of symmetrical arrangement both inside and out, and its elaborate ornamental plaster work all point to the hand of a professional architect. The mansion's most notable architectural features include three decorative plaster panels on the front facade, two interior mirrored windows, false doors and archways in the front hall and drawing room, an interior marble-laid bath and underground cisterns and a kitchen with a large fireplace and beehive oven. The estate also had a number of outbuildings, including two dwelling houses for servants, a dairy / wash house and a smokehouse.
Littleton Teackle had a diverse career as merchant, statesman and entrepreneur, and established the Bank of Somerest in 1813. He also served for many years in the Maryland House of Delegates. He died in Baltimore in 1838 after selling the mansion which is now owned by two local historical societies and is open Mon, Wed and Sun 1-4pm between April and December and in Winter Sun 1-4pm.
Waterloo Country Inn
Step back to old world country charm at the Waterloo Country Inn, where Swiss owners blend many homeland touches. Built as a private residence circa 1755 by Henry Waggaman, this Georgian mansion until 1864 was owned by various prominent families, the Teackles, Riggins, Handys and Wainwrights. Then it became the county Almshouse. A graveyard holds the remains of the builder and ancestors. The earliest example in the county of a gable front main elevation, it is the only house on the Lower Shore with bold quoins on its corners. It displays glazed brick checkerboard and diamond designs. Interior woodwork is Georgian and Federal, featuring a triple flight twisted baluster staircase with every spindle hand made. On the stair are exquisite dolls, prints of Swiss cities, a butter churn and hand painted washtub. The second floor hall gives out on a terrace over the entrance.
A parlor features glowing floors beneath an Oriental carpet and antiques in azure brocade. From this welcoming room, with a 200 year old Swiss clock, we may view one dining room with shimmering chandeliers, oil paintings and working fireplace. Another dining room is to the left, and both look out on the pool and lovely countryside. Enjoy European style cooking with a Swiss touch in a romantic setting by the fireplace by order in advance.
One guest room on the main floor is handicapped accessible and features twin beds, while the Wicomico Room features a decorative fireplace with original Delft tiles, a king size bed, and antique sewing machine. On the second floor, the Monie Room offers a king size bed with tasseled canopy and a decorative fireplace. The Somerset, a two room suite, offers fireplaces, a 200 year old armoire, queen bed and bath with jacuzzi. On the third floor is The bridal suite with satin pillows on the king size bed, furry carpets and sleep sofa plus a bath with Jacuzzi. A gift shop in the old doctor's house offers the owner's floral arrangements and pottery as mementos of this gracious inn.
Innkeepers: Theresa and Erwin Kraemer. 28822 Mount Vernon Rd, Princess Ann, MD 21853. Phone: 410-651-0883. Click to email Innkeeper Private baths, AC, TV, phones, clock radios, parlor. Sitting area for all rooms. Suites have Jacuzzi and refrigerators. Gift shop in the Doctor's House. Pets. Visa, Mastercard Discover and American Express. Walking, touring, birding. Gourmet breakfast, pool, canoes, and bikes included in room rate. Near Teackle Mansion, historic Princess Anne, Ocean City, Assateaque, Crisfield, Salisbury, Snow Hill. Waterloo Country Inn
The Hayman House at 30491 Prince William Street in Princess Anne was
built in 1898 by Charles H. Hayman; a contractor and lumber baron, who
also owned the local hardware store, which is still functioning as such
to this day. The comfortable home is of the Queen Anne and colonial revival
styles with fine oak floors that are original on the first floor except
for the kitchen where they are of pine. The parlor is beautiful with its
original mantel of brown and rose tortoiseshell-like tiles. These unusual
tiles also grace the mantel in the dining room. Here you may delight in
the lovely bay window view.