News Release

Experience three centuries of holiday traditions at Mount Clare Museum House, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, Homewood House Museum, and Evergreen House during an open house package, Holiday Traditions in Old Baltimore, from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.

The houses, decorated by area floral designers and garden clubs, will offer a variety of sweets and savories from well-known caterers and restaurants. Period music will fill the halls and holiday shopping can be done in the museums' specialty shops, featuring gift items that reflect their respective collections.

The four mansions are each considered to be among Baltimore's most significant historic house museums. A registered National Historic Landmark, Mount Clare Museum House, a 1760s Georgian mansion, is the only remaining pre-Revolutionary mansion in the city and was the first historic house museum in Maryland. Its collections include rare 18th and 19th century objects that belonged to Charles Carroll, Barrister, Mount Clare's builder.

Visitors to the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and 1812 Museum will experience the history, patriotism and charm of Mary Pickersgill and her home. It is here that the seamstress created the 30-foot by 40-foot star-spangled banner which, flying over Fort McHenry, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the United States' national anthem.

At Homewood House Museum, come face to face with one of the nation's great Federal period houses. A National Historic Landmark, Homewood is an elegant five-part country house begun in 1801 on a 130-acre farm 2 miles north of the city. Considered to be one of the finest restoration efforts in America, it was originally home to Charles Carroll Jr., son of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Its superb interior architectural ornamentation is all original and the Museum's collections of fine 18th and early 19th century furnishings and decorations include pieces once owned by the Carroll family.

Evergreen House is a magnificent 1850s Italianate mansion that was home to two generations of Garretts, who lived there from 1878 to 1952. Highlights of the 48-room mansion include their collections of post-Impressionist paintings, rare books, Tiffany glass, Japanese netsuke and inro, Chinese porcelains, and the only extant private theater designed by Leon Bakst. Continuous bus service will take participants to each house and free parking is available at Mount Clare Museum House and Evergreen House for round-trip bus service. Those traveling from the south are encouraged to park at Mount Clare Museum House. Tickets are $12 for members of participating museums, $15 for non-members and $8 for children. For information about this holiday celebration or to purchase tickets, call the Evergreen House at 410-516-0341 or contact them at bnowell@jhu.edu.