Historic Eastern Shore Estate Home Available for Curatorship
DNR Hosts Open House on April 25th

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Earleville, Md. - The historic property known as Grove Farm in Cecil County is available for restoration under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Resident-Curatorship Program. An open house will be held on Saturday, April 25th from 1 to 3 pm for those interested in learning more about the program.

“Grove Farm tells the story of 200 years of rural life on the Eastern Shore.,” said Bruce Alexander, Manager of Curatorships and Cultural Resources at DNR. “The Resident-Curatorship Program is a great opportunity for individuals to preserve and restore an important part of Maryland’s history. “

In exchange for a $1 a year lifetime lease, curators who can be individuals or organizations, agree to restore and maintain a house and outbuildings according to historic preservation standards and at no cost to the state. The program requires curatorship proposals to represent $175,000 worth of improvements to the property, which must be completed within seven years. Certain properties, like Grove Farm, may require a significantly greater investment. In addition, the curatorship is subject to regular inspection by state officials, and resident-curators must open the property to the public three to five times each year.

The property is located on the grounds of the Grove Farm Wildlife Management Area, 2125 Grove Neck Road near Earleville, Cecil County, Maryland. The Federal styled Grove Farm house dates from around 1810 and is surrounded by interesting and important outbuildings, all of which are also in need of rehabilitation. The main house contains a wood paneled library, hard wood floors, and several guest rooms. The outbuildings include a bank barn, ice house, corn crib, and a carriage house, situated on about 7 acres. The property overlooks 750 acres of protected farmland and unspoiled woodland and is located about thirty minutes from Chestertown, an hour from Wilmington, Delaware and ninety minutes from Baltimore.

Since 1982, the Resident-Curatorship Program has helped to preserve over 40 historic buildings on state parkland. More information, including photographs and bid proposal guidelines, can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/land/rcs/ or call the program manager, Bruce Alexander at 410-260-8457.

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April 20, 2009

Contact: Megan Rhoads 410-260-8001 mrhoads@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov