Dec 4, 2004
EL Goes Before Delegates, Senators
By Eric F. Mease

The Historic Elk Landing Foundation began its quest for 2005 Maryland State Bond Bill funding by appearing before a panel of northeastern Maryland state legislators on Monday. Foundation board president, Judge Kenneth Wilcox and board member, Mike Dixon submitted a $700,000 proposal to create a tourist hub in the Elkton area by restoring and renovating the two hundred plus year old Stone House at Historic Elk Landing.

In a prepared statement, Judge Wilcox said completion of the Stone House would finish the charge given to the foundation five years ago to restore both the Stone House and the Hollingsworth House. The latter of which is already nearing completion.

"The Foundation has a ten year plan," Judge Wilcox said, "for building the organization and the next step is the restoration of the colonial stone house. A renovated Elk Landing will reflect the fascinating history of the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. With $700,000 from the State of Maryland, plus matching funds from the Foundation, we will be able to concentrate on the historical reconstruction of the structure, thus preserving a historic gem for future generations."

Mike agreed, saying the old stone structure, now only a shell of its former self, has seen a lot. "This structure has been in place since the late 18th century," Mike noted. "It withstood centuries of storms, hurricanes, and floods. It watched over Elk Landing's bustling port when goods and passengers arrived and departed along its shores. It experienced the arrival of the British during the Revolutionary War, and their return during the War of 1812 and deserves to be preserved as a living history museum."

Mike added that state funding should be viewed as an investment in the local economy which would pay dividends for years to come, "by drawing tourists from the busy I-95 corridor to Elkton and Cecil County."

The session was attended by State Delegates Mary Delaney James, Richard Sossi, and Michael Smigiel, plus state Senators E.J. Pipkin and Nancy Jacobs.

Dec 3, 2004
Judge Wilcox: The Great Delegator 
By Eric F. Mease

Hollywood has its "Terminator". The Historic Elk Landing Foundation Board of Directors now has its "Delegator". He's Judge Kenneth Wilcox who assumed the presidency of the foundation board in October, replacing Mike Dixon who stepped down after five years at the helm.

After just two board meetings as president, Judge Wilcox gave the rest of the board a homework assignment due in December. He asked each board member to submit their view of how Elk Landing will look in ten years. Once a plan is worked out, the Judge says he will appoint board members to carry out specific parts of the plan (the Delegator). As for his own view, Judge Wilcox says he sees a well thought out site development plan. "We need to have an overall concept," Judge Wilcox explained, "a road map if you will. Once the goal is in place, we can put together ideas on how to accomplish that. I like to look at it as a Mount Vernon concept: one property developed, and broken down as to how we want to proceed."

But Judge, how would it look? "I see a new road leading to the Landing and a visitor's center with a parking lot," Judge Wilcox envisions. "That visitor's center would have information about Elk Landing as well as displays of artifacts and documents relative to the history of the site along with a timeline of the site's history. From there guided tours would originate of both the completed Hollingsworth House (all floors), and the completed Stone House, both homes furnished with period furnishings. I also hope," Judge Wilcox continued, "that the grounds would be used for events such as wedding receptions and parties, Boy Scout camp outs, classes from area high schools, as well as our traditional Defenders Day and British Invasion Day observances."

The Judge says he would like to link Elk Landing to the town of Elkton. "We're surrounded by water down there," Judge Wilcox says, "and it might take several years, but I'd like to see a water taxi between the center of town and Elk Landing to tie the two together. The river isn't deep enough now, but it could be dredged which would make the connection possible."

The Judge admits his plans will cost money. He says he hopes Elk Landing will increase and broaden its funding base to include more private funding as well as the public monies received so far. He also thanks out-going board president, Mike Dixon for his leadership over the last five years, without which, Judge Wilcox says, "we wouldn't have gone anywhere."

Judge Wilcox, who served as Mayor of Elkton between 1967 and 1971 and as Maryland District and Circuit Court judge between 1973 and 1988 before his retirement, says he has always had an interest in history. "I'm a member of the Sons of the American Revolution," Judge Wilcox said, "I'm a member of the General Society of the War of 1812, and in fact, I'm judge advocate for the War of 1812 society. I served several terms as Vice President of the Cecil County Historical Society board," Judge Wilcox explains, "and then I became president, serving one or two terms there."

In the late '90s, the Elkton Town Commissioners decided to purchase and preserve the Elk Landing site. Judge Wilcox was one of 5 people who met with the commission and worked out a purchasing and development plan. Since that time, Judge Wilcox says his greatest accomplishment as an Elk Landing board member has been fulfilling and surpassing the original fund raising goal. "When the town gave us our lease," Judge Wilcox remembers, "they told us we had to raise $300,000 in the first three years. In just 5 years, we've raised about $1.5 million. Everyone I talk to who is involved in non-profits, says that is an unheard of amount of money to be raised in such a short period of time."

Judge Wilcox and the rest of the board look forward to the completion of the first floor renovation of the Hollingsworth House early in 2005 when a reception and open house will be held for the public.

Check the Elk Landing web site (www.elklanding.com) and local media for an announcement about the grand opening of the Hollingsworth House.

Oct 7, 2004
Ghosts, Goblins, and People Haunt Elk Landing
By Eric F. Mease

The October harvest moon was apparently conducive to both the supernatural and us mere mortals as the Historic Elk Landing Foundation sponsored its traditional ghost walks at The Landing last weekend. Lead by Cecil County Historian Mike Dixon, and local folklorist and storyteller, Ed Okonowicz, the two walks on the ancient grounds of the Hollingsworth family plantation, attracted reservations from about 400 persons. Over 150 people attended the Friday evening event which featured a raging camp fire, scary tall tales, a lone musket shot in the night, a visit from a 269 year old former owner of the site, Zebulon Hollingsworth, jr., plus hair raising shrieks from the crowd every time a "mysterious" light appeared, and then disappeared, in the windows of the 150 year old Hollingsworth House.

The weather played meteorological games with the anticipated crowd on Saturday night as a light rain held the gathering to 60 brave souls. Still, they too experienced all of the history and mystery of Historic Elk Landing as Mike and Ed guided them through both the mists of time and the actual mists and light fog of the night.

Following the tours, Mike said even with the rain, the foundation more than broke even. "We produced a third year of profit for ourselves," he said. But Mike said the ghost tours are about more than money and fund raising. "It's great to use these as demonstration projects to show how easy it is to implement heritage tourism projects and," Mike continued, "to show what these projects can do for the county seat."

Mike predicted ghost walks would not be the only kinds of tours going on at Historic Elk Landing in the near future. "Some of the other low-cost opportunities that are on the drawing board include twilight walks through the heart of Elkton with George Washington, children's summer camps, and living history programs by the likes of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and William Penn. There's much more to come," Mike added, "as the $360,000 renovation of the Hollingsworth House nears completion, the first major milestone in our long-term development plan."

Return to our web site, www.elklanding.org for updates on the Hollingsworth House grand re-opening and future tours and programs at Historic Elk Landing.

Oct 1, 2004
Elk Landing To Hold Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Historic Elk Landing Foundation will be held on
Wednesday, Oct 13 at 3:00 p.m.  Taking place at the Historical Society of Cecil
County, 135 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD., the purpose of the meeting is to
conduct the annual business of the Society, as specified in the by-laws.
For additional information phone 410.620.6400 or e-mail info@elklanding.org

September 28, 2004
Hear Spooky Tales as Dusk Descends For a 2nd Night

An additional ghost walk has been added at Elk Landing on Saturday, October
2, due to enormous demand. The ghost walk and campfire features storyteller
Ed Okonowicz and Cecil County historian Mike Dixon. Registration begins at 6
p.m. At 6:30 p.m., ghosters will be lead along the Elk Creek and throughout
the property, to hear the history of the site and tales of unexplained
events that have occurred in and around the property. After the walk, as
night gets a good grip on the Landing, a blazing campfire will help chase
away the darkness, as Ed concludes the evening with ghost stories that will
chill the bone.

Bring a blanket and folding chair. The evening program is ideal for all
ages. It is a perfect way to start the Halloween month with a chill. While
walk-ups are welcome on a space available basis, it is suggested that you
reserve your spot by phoning the Landing at 410.620.6400 or by e-mailing us
at info@elklanding.org.

Cost is $5.00 per person. For children 15 and under admission is $2.00

September 9, 2004
Hear Spooky Tales as Dusk Descends on the Creek on October 1

Come to Historic Elk Landing for a ghost walk and campfire on Friday evening, Oct. 1, with storyteller Ed Okonowicz and Cecil County historian Mike Dixon. Registration begins at 6 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., ghosters will be lead along the Elk Creek and throughout the property, to hear the history of the site and tales of unexplained events that have occurred in and around the property. After the walk, as night gets a good grip on the Landing, a blazing campfire will help chase away the darkness, as Ed concludes the evening with ghost stories that will chill the bone.

Bring a blanket and folding chair. The evening program is ideal for all ages. It is a perfect way to start the Halloween month with a chill. While walk-ups are welcome on a space available basis, it is suggested that you reserve your spot by phoning the Landing at 410.620.6400 or by e-mailing us at info@elklanding.org.

Cost is $5.00 per person. For children 15 and under admission is $2.00.

August 30, 2004
200-year-old Dinnerware Found at Elk Landing
by Eric F. Mease

It was a warm summer day. The nearby Elk Creek was running smoothly. There was a slight breeze from the southwest, and the sky was almost navy blue. It was the perfect day to run through someone's trash! Someone's trash? Sure, but this wasn't just any trash. This was 150 to 200 year old trash at the rear of the Hollingsworth House at Historic Elk Landing. The trash picker wasn't just any trash picker. He was archaeologist Dwayne Pickett, hired by the Historic Elk Landing Foundation to find any artifacts that might interfere with the construction of a handicapped ramp at the rear of the house for those unable to navigate the front stairs. The ramp is a part of a $360,000 restoration and face-lift the house is undergoing this summer and due for completion by the fall.

So, what did Dwayne find in the Hollingsworth trash?

"We found late 18th and early 19th century dinnerware," Dwayne said as he spread the pieces over the top of an old barrel on the front porch of the Hollingsworth mansion. "A majority of the ceramics are creamware, pearlware, and redware fragments. And one of the pieces looks like it's from the side of a cup where a handle may have once been. This is all very common table ware for the well to do in the late 18th and early 19th century time period."

Among other methods, Dwayne said he could date the fragments from the color of the ceramics.

"The fragments of creamware we found are not much darker than the pearlware, which is white is color." Dwayne pointed out as he ran his thumb over the fragment. "Beginning in the 1770's production of a ceramic whiter than creamware began. This new ware was called pearl white or pearlware and continued to be used through the early 19th century."

Based on the age of these pieces of flatware, Dwayne said he thought they were probably thrown away before the 1849 fire, which gutted the original Hollingsworth mansion, leaving only the brick walls.

"We found these pieces only a foot or so below the surface in a level above a layer of clay placed there when the cellar of the house was dug," Dwayne explained. "It was probably household trash. People, even wealthy people, just threw their garbage out of the back door and into shallow pits. And yes, it made for some strong aromas, especially in the summer time."

But the early American dinnerware isn't the only artifact found this week. What would a Hollingsworth property dig be without prehistoric finds? "We found lots of flakes from Native American tool making," Dwayne exhibited. "We also found the top of a projectile or arrowhead. Since it's broken we can't tell how big the original was or it's age."

Dwayne and his partner, Keith Heinrich, were also on site to monitor the digging of a couple of trenches: one for water drainage away from the Hollingsworth house and the other for a new electrical line. As Dwayne was explaining the finer points of the projectile, Keith signaled from the corner of the house for Dwayne to come over to the freshly dug trench. There, in the brown dirt were two tiny fragments of porcelain. But it wasn't just any porcelain. It was Chinese porcelain with its white background and telltale blue designs.

"In the early 18th century this type of dinnerware would have been rare except in the most privileged households," Dwayne explained. "But by the time this was dumped from the Hollingsworth house in the early 19th century, it was becoming more common."

Still, after lying in the ground for so long, the white shown brilliantly in the early afternoon sun and the blue design was just as crisp as the day when some member of the Hollingsworth family broke the piece and pitched it into the trash pit for us to find over a century and a half later.

Later this summer you can find Dwayne's complete archaeological report and an update on the Hollingsworth House renovations at Historic Elk Landing's web site www.elklanding.org

August 30, 2004
Elk Landing Makes the History Channel… Sort of!
By Eric Mease

At 9 p.m. on September 12th, The History Channel will air a new documentary. It’s called The War of 1812: America’s First Invasion and it’s about this sometimes forgotten conflict between the very young United States and Great Britain, the world’s only 18th century super power. Something you may not know about the War of 1812, several of its battles were fought on the eastern shore of Maryland, the most notable being one that took place at Elk Landing just south of the city of Elkton, Maryland.

According to Johnston’s History of Cecil County, Maryland (1881) on April 28, 1813, a full year after the outbreak of hostilities, a British fleet anchored in the Chesapeake Bay under the command of Admiral Cockburn. (Rear Admiral Cockburn would return to the Chesapeake one year later to invade and burn Washington, DC. He would also command the fleet that unsuccessfully attacked Baltimore on the night Francis Scott Key wrote his Star Spangled Banner.) From Admiral Cockburn’s fleet a group of 12 barges manned with 400 volunteers, picked seaman, and 300 marines landed at Spesutia Island and purchased supplies for their flotilla. The force then moved northward to Welch Point and finally Frenchtown on April 29th which they burned after a brief but unsuccessful stand by local militia members. Then the British fixed their sites on Elkton, the county seat of government for Cecil County. However, the militia here were better armed than their comrades at Frenchtown and were better prepared for the Red Coats.

First the British reached Fort Defiance, about one mile south of Elk Landing. Here the British met heavy resistance causing them to beat a hasty retreat. They also found that they couldn’t take their barges farther up the Elk River because the militia had strung large chains across the river, effectively blocking the waterway. So, the invaders retreated to White Hall and requisitioned a female slave to guide them by land to Elkton. Instead, she took them to Cedar Point, which is opposite Elk Landing where Fort Hollingsworth was located.

Fort Hollingsworth was a small earthwork or redoubt about one mile below the town of Elkton and a few yards southeast of the Old Stone House. It was under the command of Captain Henry Bennett and defended with small cannon. When Captain Bennett and his men saw the advancing British, they opened fire and drove them back to their barges and back to their fleet anchored in the Chesapeake.

Also according to Johnston’s History, when word of the peace treaty and formal end of hostilities with Great Britain, reached Elkton in February of 1815, townspeople turned out to Fort Hollingsworth and celebrated for several days.

Every April, Historic Elk Landing Foundation celebrates the defense of Elkton with militia re-enactments, site tours, costumed interpreters, refreshments, theatrical presentations, carriage rides, and more. Soon renovation work on the Hollingsworth House, parts of which were standing during the attempted 1813 British invasion, will be complete, furnished, and open for tours. When funding becomes available, we also hope to renovate the Old Stone House mentioned in Johnston’s history and return it to its rightful place in the history of Cecil County.

The Historic Elk Landing Foundation maintains a web site at www.elklanding.org including a complete history of Elk Landing and information on upcoming events at Historic Elk Landing. Check back with the web site for updated Hollingsworth House renovation information. Specialized group tours are available by appointment by calling Historic Elk Landing at (410) 620-6400 or by E-mail info@elklanding.org

August 9, 2004
Muskets, Rifles and Fowling Pieces
By Fred Allen

When General Howe landed more than 13,000 British troops opposite Courthouse Point near Elkton, Maryland, in August 1777, the militiamen who observed the landing were poorly armed. In fact many were without firearms prompting militia officers to request a supply of arms from General Washington. The Commander-in-Chief replied to Lt. Col. John D. Thompson of the Cecil County Militia,”…it gives me great pleasure to hear that your people are so unanimously bent upon giving opposition to the enemy. I wish it was in my power to furnish every man with a firelock that is willing to use one, but…I have scarcely Sufficient for the Continental troops.”

General Washington then suggested that the militia, “collect as many Arms as you possibly can and then class your Battalion; let the unarmed go home and at a certain period relieve their Companions;” a practical solution to the problem of more men than muskets.

General Washington also encouraged the militiamen to supply their own weapons, “we must make the best shift we can, and I wou'd therefore advise you to exhort every Man to bring the best he has. A good fowling Piece will do execution in the hands of a Marksman.”

Supply was always a problem for Washington’s Army. Food and warm clothing were a problem during many of the winters the Continental Army spent in the field. However, judging by other letters sent out from his headquarters the same day that Washington wrote to Lt. Col Thompson, guns and proper ammunition were one of the ongoing difficulties the Continental Army supply officers overcame in August of 1777. Washington was trying to get a supply of cartridges for the various calibers of muskets his army was using. The army had been sent rifle cartridges that would not fit a musket properly.

If you’re curious about the British invasion, its aftermath, the muskets, rifles and fowling pieces, and the cartridges for them, come to Historic Elk Landing, August 14 & 15, 2004 from 11am till 4:00pm. Reenactors commemorating the 227th Anniversary of the British Landing will be portraying soldiers from both sides of the conflict. They will demonstrate camp life, their firearms and the building of fortifications. There will be a battlefield reenactment each afternoon as well. 

July 25, 2004
What's Happening at EL?
Major Work on Hollingsworth House Nearing Completion
By Eric Mease

On the surface, it looks like a quiet summer at Historic Elk Landing along the Big Elk Creek. But nothing could be further from the truth. Check it out..

Elk Landing began the summer season in late April with our traditional Defender's Day, celebrating the successful defense of Elkton from the British in the War of 1812. General George Washington and former President Thomas Jefferson were there along with musicians, carriage rides, historic re-enactors, and members of the Cecil County Militia. Also at that celebration, the public was treated to a sneak preview of renovation at the 150 year old Hollingsworth House. That $365,000 project is about 75% complete and officials hope it will be ready by late August, soon after this year's annual British invasion observance. More on that observance later. Renovations include the pouring of a basement floor in foundations that date back well over 200 years, new heating and air conditioning systems, electrical and plumbing works, renovation of several fire places, new kitchen flooring, handicapped accessibility, and a historically accurate interior paint job. Watch and listen to local media and check the Elk Landing web site (www.elklanding.org) for your invitation to the grand re-opening of this historic plantation house.

In addition to all of this renovation this spring, we were visited by three tour groups ranging from military college students to gardeners. After touring Elk Landing, the Maryland House and Gardens Pilgrimage (MHGP) group donated $7,300. Our thanks to the MHGP for its generous contribution. Part of that money will be used to complete archaeological work at the rear of the Hollingsworth House in preparation for a handicapped entrance ramp to the house. This work will begin in July and be done by an old friend of Elk Landing, Dwayne Pickett who submitted the low bid for the job. Dwayne and his archaeological crew conducted several archaeological digs for us over the last 5 years.

Looking forward, as noted, Elk Landing will observe the 227th anniversary of the 1777 British invasion of Head of Elk on August 14th and 15th. Re-enactors will portray soldiers from both sides of the conflict demonstrating camp life, their firearms and the building of fortifications. There will be a battlefield re-enactment each afternoon as well. And if all goes according to plan, we'll host a grand re-opening of our Hollingsworth House shortly after that anniversary observance. Looking even farther into the fall, we'll hold our annual ghost tours in early October, plus some surprises still on the drawing board. Again, keep checking our web site for updates.

July 25, 2004
Maryland Historical Trust Comes Through for EL
$100,000 in additional work now funded.
By Eric F. Mease

The Historic Elk Landing Foundation is the proud recipient of another large monetary grant from the Maryland Historical Trust. In a letter to foundation president, Mike Dixon, the trust announced a matching grant of $50,000 to continue improving and restoring the colonial era Hollingsworth plantation. This is the second award from the Trust and brings to $100,000 the total amount granted to Elk Landing so far.

"This one (grant) will fund start-up work on the Stone House," Mike says. "It is a very urgent project since this structure is at the most risk of loss. This award will bring architects, historians, engineers, and other historical consulting professionals to work on this old house as we begin to prepare the plans for a restoration of the structure, get the Request for Proposals together, draw up blueprints, and seek bids to start whatever level of work we can fund."

Research indicates that the Stone House was built in the late 1700s, shortly after the British invasion of the area in 1777 and prior to when the British were repulsed by Cecil County Militia in 1813. It served as a residence; some kind of commercial establishment, a residence again, and now stands gutted of its floors, roof and windows.

According to Mike, this $50,000 grant will be matched using funds Associated Cecil Endeavors. But this grant isn't nearly enough to finish work on the dilapidated stone structure. Mike says this is only the beginning and much more money will be necessary to complete the work.

"Our architect, in a ballpark estimate, says that this will require about $1.5 million," Mike explains. "That will restore the structure, the walls, the floors, the roof and the building services: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. Then we'll turn our attention to furnishing it."

"This is an exciting time for Elk Landing," Mike noted. "As the completion of the Hollingsworth House comes into sight in the next month or so, we can concentrate on another relic (the Stone House), one that has seen a timeless tide of history flow up and down the creek. It's part of our Phase 1 plan, which began four years ago. It involves restoring the two major extant structures so that when they're finished we can open seasonally for a large part of the week, and draw tourists to Elkton."

Return to the Elk Landing web site, www.elklanding.org for updates on renovations to the Hollingsworth House, the start of work on the Stone House, and future site activities.

April 8, 2004
Defenders Defend Elk Landing 2004
By Gordy Johnson

Guns will roar, Cecil County Militia troops will march, and Continental leaders will visit Historic Elk Landing on Saturday April 24th as we observe Defenders Day. Join us as character interpreters of General George Washington, Martha Washington, and Thomas Jefferson recall their Revolutionary days including their visits to Elk Landing in the 18th and 19th centuries. Also on hand will be demonstrations of colonial craft persons, tours of the Elk Landing grounds, horse and carriage rides, food and beverages, colonial games for children, opportunities to have your picture taken with our historical interpreters, plus performances by the Heritage Troupe of colonial performers, members of Musica Antuiqua, the Cecil County band, and the Newark, Delaware fife and drum corp. This year's Defenders Day festivities will run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the 24th.

March 17, 2004
Of Chandeliers and Chimney Stacks
By Eric F. Mease

Today, we tend to take our electric lights for granted. Remember when we had to do without them last fall during Isabel? Well, we didn't always have it so good. Back in the day, believe it or not, there were no electric lights. For example, the residents of the Hollingsworth house lived without electricity for decades. The ongoing restoration work at the house found proof in February.

The original house was built in the late 1700's. Following a devastating fire, it was rebuilt in 1849. Historic Architect, Jim Wollon says he found evidence for chandeliers in the house's first floor double parlors. "I found a little hole about 3 deep in the center of each room and one in the entrance hall which I interpret as a screw-hook in a joist closest to hold a chandelier," Jim announced. "Kerosene was invented, I believe, in 1854. If these holes are contemporary with original (1849) construction, the chandeliers probably held candles, if a little later, kerosene (but how could they find the joist to support the hooks, by then hidden by plaster?). Original hooks could serve later chandeliers," Jim continued, "and no doubt later kerosene chandeliers were installed as lighting technology improved. I have understood that kerosene was accepted widely and quickly as soon as it was developed."

A second February discovery involves the house's chimneys. Jim says the ones we see today are not original. They were built into the 1849 home. "The original chimneys were centered on the west end (of the house) with corner fireplaces adjacent to each other," Jim explained. "A second chimney rose from the northeast corner (of the house). (The present chimneys) were built against the original 18th century walls," Jim says, "and since restoration construction began we've seen that some 18th century plaster remains behind them. We have a good sample of the 18th century plaster now, extremely soft, but with several layers of blue paint."

Also as a result of the restoration work, Jim says we are sure of the original 18th century house's layout. "All four 18th century walls survived the fire," Jim points out, "with their full two story height. An entirely new interior was built within these four original walls." Jim says the original house's square footprint was divided into three first floor rooms with an entrance hall. There was also a backdoor which is now a window. "You can see two very narrow cracks under the (back first floor) window representing the filling-in of the door to make a window. The 1849 proposal to rebuild the burned-out house," Jim notes, "talks about switching a north window and door location."

Visitors may view the restoration work first hand on Defender's Day at Elk Landing on Saturday April 24th starting at 10 a.m. The restoration will continue through the spring. Revisit our web site (www.elklanding.org) for updates on this and other stories about Historic Elk Landing.

March 6, 2004
Construction Heating Up at Hollingsworth House
By Joshua Brown

Finally, it’s spring! Warmer temperatures and longer days mean more restoration at the Historic Elk Landing Foundation Hollingsworth House. While it has been a slow go over the long winter months with all the snow and cold we had, work continues on the century and a half year old Hollingsworth mansion.

Here’s a rundown on what’s been going on during our long winter’s nap! A new concrete floor was poured in the basement. “New” 20th century flooring was taken out of the kitchen area, the sub-flooring repaired, and a new 21st century, but historically accurate floor installed. The false front of the dining room fireplace was removed, revealing the original19th century fireplace. Historic Architect, Jim Wollon says it is black. “That was typical for the time,” Jim explains, “no doubt to disguise soiling from smoke and soot. A more expensive mantel would have been gray or black marble. We had gray marble mantels in the parlor, found smashed to smithereens in the cellar, and saved on site.”

The Hollingsworth house will also be equipped with a modern electrical service and a new heating and air conditioning system. Of course the renovated mansion will be made handicapped accessible as well. Add a historically accurate interior paint job, and the old house will be as good as new… or better!

January 11, 2004
EL Reports to Town Commissioners: 
Fund Raising tops $1.5 Million
By Eric F. Mease

In it’s third annual report to the Elkton Town Commissioners, the Historic Elk Landing Foundation reports it has surpassed its fund raising goals by over 300% and accomplished it in less than 5 years. “You may recall,” Foundation President Mike Dixon reminded the commissioners, “that one of the milestones given to us by the Town, and placed in our 99-year lease, was that we would have to generate $300,000 in five years. We can report to you tonight that to date, we were able to raise $1,575,003.07 from a variety of sources since 2000.” Those “variety of sources” include the Maryland Historic Trust, the state of Maryland, and the Associated Cecil Endeavors (ACE), which has contributed a total of $291,360 to Elk Landing. “This ($1,575,003.07) is a remarkable amount,” Mike continued, “for a group that started off with $500 ($100 collected from each of the five original foundation board members) in its treasury.”

In reviewing Elk Landing Foundation activities in 2003, Mike and EL director Jeanne Minner highlighted the restoration of the Hollingsworth House, the town’s purchase of 20 additional acres of land to alleviate developmental risks, the $108,500 donation from the ACE Foundation, the memorabilia auction in October, the aborted Thomas Jefferson Letter auction, various visits, tours and events at the site, the support of the 450 foundation members, and the January, 2003 visit by the NBC Today program. “We had a lot on our plate,” Mike pointed out, “but as our report shows, and our activities demonstrate, the organization succeeded in fulfilling the promises it made to the Mayor and Commissioners.”

Then the EL representatives turned their attention to the future. Of course,” Mike noted, “don’t forget too that there are still enormous challenges ahead. We see 2004 as a year that holds the prospects of incredible growth and success, perhaps the best in the short history of the Historic Elk Landing Foundation.” Specific major goals include: (1) Complete the major restoration work on the Hollingsworth House; (2) Obtain another major grant to match the ACE contribution; (3) Obtain a grant from the Maryland Historical Trust to start work on the Stone House; (4) Initiate restoration work on the Stone House; and (5) Increase the membership

Then Mike & Jeanne made an Elk Landing prediction: In a few more years, when the centuries old dwellings and historic grounds are restored, Cecil County will have a first-class 62-acre living history center, which will draw thousands of visitors to Elkton each year. “Of course, like all opportunities, success depends on us making it happen,” Mike said. “For the officers and directors of the Foundation, we pledge to stay focused on our tasks and we will carefully craft and deliver our initiatives.”

In closing, Mike & Jeanne thanked the town commissioners, the foundation board members, and everyone associated with Elk Landing for their hard work which made all of the foundations accomplishments possible. In response, the Elkton Town Commissioners praised the work of the foundation. “What you have done is fantastic,” proclaimed Mayor Joseph Fisona. “We need a plaque there (at Elk Landing) to show what happened and who did the work.” Commissioner Jean Broomell offered her “congratulations on all that you have done. The foundation has done a remarkable job in a very short period of time.” Finally, C. Gary Stork also congratulated the foundation for its work noting that it is well on its way to obtaining its share of Maryland tourist dollars. “The tourist market in Maryland is worth, what, $6 billion? It would be nice to obtain a chunk of that.”