Charles County Visitor Guide - Flipbook - Page 25
TA K E A T O U R
Washington Burch House
Stagg Hall
The courthouse, a reconstruction of the original 1819
structure, now serves as a
museum offering insight into
the tobacco industry, the
impact of the Civil War on this
area, and local archeological
finds. The courthouse is also a
National Park Service National
Underground Railroad
Network to Freedom site. Two
African Americans were tried
here in 1845 for aiding over 30
armed freedom seekers.
Washington Burch, an emancipated slave, purchased his
18th-century home here following the Civil War. Burch
established a school for
African American children and
served as a state delegate to
the District of Republicans
Convention. He was also the
local jailer. His home (pictured
below, left) is one of the last
Colonial-era houses remaining
in the area.
A tour of Stagg Hall (pictured below)
is a must-do! Let yourself be
swept away by the enthusiasm
and expansive knowledge of
your guide, who will explain the
significance of the building while
letting you examine historical
artifacts. You’ll love stepping into
the merchant store, a recreation
of the colonial business once
belonging to Stagg Hall owners
and business partners Barnes
and Ridgate. Each item in the
room is listed in the original store
catalog (visible on Mr. Ridgate’s
desk), and visitors of all ages are
welcome to touch and interact
with the goods.
SCAN HERE:
Port Tobacco Courthouse
Port Tobacco Village Port Tobacco Village is open
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seasonally. Use the QR code to find
current operating hours. Be sure to stop by the Port
Tobacco One Room School House just around the corner.
Fun facts:
Stagg Hall is
considered one of the best-preserved
examples of domestic architecture in
Southern Maryland. The hearth and chimney
are believed to be the oldest constructed
structure in the entire village. The Art
Institute of Chicago purchased a whole
room from Stagg Hall in the 1930s;
forty years later, the homeowners
repurchased the room and had it
carefully reinstalled.
Welcome Center: 301-259-2500
p.23
