I have long loved New Windsor, Maryland for its exceptional collection of early 19th century homes.  I first discovered it during my college years – my then-boyfriend (now husband), Chip, attended college in Westminster, Maryland, and the best route there from Frederick was Rt. 26 to Liberytown, and then a left onto Rt 31 (which has some beautiful homes.  Have someone else drive so you don’t miss any of them!).  Rt 31 takes you right into the small, but charming town of New Windsor.  Take a look:

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And all these houses are just along the first couple of blocks as you come into town.

On this particular occasion, a friend of mine, Mary Ford-Naill, had told me about an extraordinary house she was listing on the market and thought I may enjoy seeing.   When she told me it was in New Windsor, I was immediately interested.  And when she showed me the pictures of it, I couldn’t resist.

Because I know so many of you are as keen on architecture as I am, I asked Mary and the home-owners, if I could share it with you on my blog.  So here’s the Atlee House, New Windsor, Maryland, as I saw it just last week:

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The Atlees were the founders of New Windsor.  They first New Windsor Atlee was the second son of a prosperous Lancaster, Pennsylvania family.  And being a second son, he had to go make his own way.  He traveled into Maryland, found the rolling, Carroll County plat listed on the maps as New Windsor, bought it and settled in.  The house is dated to 1800.  The current owners, who run it as a B&B,  have some pictures of it from history:

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This one is my favorite!  The girl’s name is Bessie Roop, and her dog is Shep.  I just love that the dog made the picture, and his name was noted for posterity.

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This was from the mid 20th century, when it was painted white.

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This view from above, shows the old barn (which burned), and the town of New Windsor rising on the hillside beyond.

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At some point during the latter half of the 20th century, it was used as a boarding house, with the boarders fed from the produce of the once-extensive gardens.

I’ll take you inside the house in my next post, where you’ll see the deep windows, the old built-ins, the brick walls, and spectacular attic and basement. (Not to mention the full commercial kitchen  – yes, I’m lusting after their stove and huge fridge!).  The Atlee House and several others in New Windsor are available for sale.  Click here for more information.

Thanks for reading!

Virginia