WOW!! BIG HUGE THANKS for all of your support!
We are continuing to accept tax deductible donations through Fractured Atlas, HERE.
Thanks to you, we are now able to move forward and begin work stabilizing this wonderful building. Over the next 12 months, I will be working on finding and applying for grants.
"The Nelson Homestead / Wood and Stone Retreat is a very exciting project with a high probability of success. It is unique in its multiple contributions to Historic Preservation, Arts & Culture, Education and Tourism. We believe it is an important piece of the puzzle toward re-energizing the economy of Crisfield and a wonderful utilization of an existing 'at risk' Heritage resource here on the Lower Eastern Shore." The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Areas Council
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This
year, Preservation Maryland (partner of the National Trust for
Historic Preservation) declared The Nelson Homestead one of the
top 10 most important endangered historic properties in the state of
Maryland.
Only with your help will I be able to provide stewardship and prevent this wonderful site from being lost to time.
My name is Jennifer Smith. The Nelson Homestead has been in my family for half a century. It was constructed in the early 1800s by Somerset County ship builder Elisha Riggin. It's one of very few remaining "telescope"
houses on the Eastern Shore, and is considered
exceptional because of it's unaltered and highly unusual woodwork.
It sits in the middle of 9 secluded acres of meadow, woods, farmland
and wetlands, bordered on the East by Johnson's Creek which provides
access to the Pocomoke Sound.
I'm a career musician. For over 20 years my husband, Scott and I have been writing, performing, recording and teaching music around the country. When I inherited this property in 2012, we began working on how we might create a "job" for this house so that, through programming, grant funding and the occasional rental, it will be able to cover it's own upkeep costs. That's how The Wood and Stone Retreat was born.
Now in it's second year, Scott and I
bring together the nation's top songwriters with musicians from around the country for a 5 day music workshop retreat at the
State Park, 3 miles from the Nelson Homestead. Each session, we collaborate with the local high school and the community to provide learning opportunities and a free concert event. We love seeing our guests charmed by the
beautiful town of Crisfield and this magical
property. We're excited by the potential of The Nelson Homestead as an artist retreat and Heritage Site and as a contributor to the arts and economy in Somerset County.
Songwriting
class with Phil Madeira, Our free concert on the City Dock
Wyatt Easterling and Dan Navarro
For
the past 3 years I've been working with old house specialists,
county, state and federal agencies, contractors, business advisors and friends. I've been overwhelmed by the ideas and enthusiasm I've
received from so many of you. If it wasn't for your huge outpouring
of encouragement, I probably wouldn't have gotten this far. We now have a well planned strategy and an excellent team – It's time to get this job done!
OUR TEAM
Preservation Consultant Michael Devonshire,
- Specialist in Historic
Materials Conservation, History of Construction Technology,
Architectural Documentation and Condition Assessments.
- historic preservation consultant since 1985
- Jan Hird Pokorny Associates - Senior Architectural Conservator
- Columbia
University Professor - Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Since
2003
- Commissioner, NYC
Landmarks Preservation Commission
- New York University: Lecturer in Preservation Case Studies; since 2003
- UMASS Amherst, Graduate Program in Preservation, Architectural Conservation
I, II. Present
Craftsman and General Contractor, Bruce Wooster:
- William R Wooster and Sons, Inc is a family run residential construction business in Crisfield, MD with 3 generations of craftsmen with half a century of experience in historic rehabilitation and new construction.
- Bruce is also a luthier and member of the Blue Crab Crossing Bluegrass Band.
Preservation Specialist Elizabeth Beckley:
- Eastern Shore field director, Preservation Maryland
- Six years as principal of Bohemia Manor, LLC, an Eastern Shore firm specializing in historic preservation, restoration and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings
- Chairwoman of the Kent County Historic Preservation Commission Board
- President of the Friends of Mount Harmon Plantation
- Chairwoman of the Millington Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals
-
She holds a Maryland Home Improvement Contracting license.
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Old
houses tell a story.
They provide a chronicle.
They ground us with a
sense of place and time.
They
give us comfort and perspective on where we fit in this huge,
sometimes impersonal world.
Please help us save this unique and important piece of Maryland
history. Together, we can turn it into a destination for musicians, artists and everyone
longing to retreat back to a simpler time and a one of a kind experience on Maryland's remote Lower Eastern Shore.
What We Need
Our fundraising goal is $168,000 which, combined with anticipated historic preservation grants, will provide for full a rehabilitation of The Nelson Homestead.
Just $50,000 raised will allow us to successfully complete Phase 1 of the project - stabilizing the house and preventing the rapid deterioration that is happening right now. With Phase 1 funding we will:
-
secure needed preservation consultants & engineers
- repair / improve driveway access
- install electrical wiring
- repair a rotted section of foundation
- stabilize the chimneys
- repair / rebuild the roof
The balance of our goal will be put toward completing the exterior wood repair and interior rehabilitation: consultations, repairing floors, windows, fireplaces, molding, plaster, finishing electric wiring, bath and plumbing.
If we exceed our fundraising goal, we will use the additional $$s to continue grounds improvements and begin implementing projects with the Lower Shore community and beyond including concert events, music education, heritage and environmental conservation programming.
I hope you'll consider making a tax deductible donation of any amount to help preserve this place in
Maryland’s history. I hope you will come visit and experience this place with your
family and friends. If
you can't make a donation, I hope you will share our story and
campaign to spread the word so others can join in our efforts.
Thank You!
GREAT PERKS! In addition to a tax deduction, here are just a few of the Perks we're offering: (we are willing to get creative, so feel free to ask us about mix and match perks/perk combinations)
- a replica of the original house key
- a Smith Island Cake (you have to see the video!)
- a Cruise on the Stephen Thomas to Tangier Island or the Betty Jo Tyler to Smith Island
- a crab feast for 4
- the 'Musician's Launchpad': Professional photo shoot, album artwork and marketing consultation for your next album release
-
VIP lawn party and tour of the house
- A personal critique of your song by a multi-platinum hit songwriter
- A free pass to our 5 day Songwriting Workshop Retreat
- A concert in your home (or just about anywhere you want it)
Who's Else Believes in This Project?
The Crisfield Heritage Foundation: “We give our full support to Mrs. Smith's plans. We believe saving the Nelson Homestead is an important project and look forward to incorporating the property into our heritage programming. The City of Crisfield and the surrounding area benefit economically and culturally if Jennifer is able to realize her goal of preserving the Nelson Homestead to become a destination center for music, writing and culture.”
The Somerset County Arts Council: “Mrs. Smith is a native of this area and therefore has a unique perspective of the potential for enrichment of both visiting artists and the interaction of artists with the people. Her plans for an arts center in an authentic homeplace setting will foster both the creativity of the artists and serve as an inspiration and center to further the folk crafts of the region.”
THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to look at our project and for sharing the link to this project page with your friends, family & cohorts!