Perry House

Perry House is a historic house museum located in Annapolis, Maryland, near the United States Naval Academy and the Maryland State House. The house was built in 1818 for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's brother, Matthew Calbraith Perry, and has been associated with several notable figures, including John Quincy Adams, James Monroe, and Robert Livingston. The Perry House has been recognized for its architectural significance, with influences from Georgian architecture and Federal architecture, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, along with other notable sites like the White House and the United States Capitol.

● History

The Perry House has a rich history, dating back to the early 19th century when it was built for Matthew Calbraith Perry, a prominent naval officer who played a key role in the Mexican-American War and the Opening of Japan. The house has been owned by several notable families, including the Perry family and the Carroll family, who were related to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The house has also been visited by several notable figures, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman, who were all associated with the United States Navy and the Naval Academy. The Perry House is also near the Annapolis Historic District, which includes other historic sites like the William Paca House and the Chase-Lloyd House.

● Architecture

The Perry House is an example of Federal architecture with influences from Georgian architecture, featuring a symmetrical facade, a central front door, and a balustrade along the roofline. The house was designed by William Buckland, a prominent architect who also designed other notable buildings, including the Hammond-Harwood House and the Chase-Lloyd House. The Perry House has undergone several renovations and restorations, including a major restoration in the 1960s led by the Historic Annapolis Foundation, which also worked on the restoration of the United States Capitol and the White House. The house features a mix of original and reproduction furnishings, including pieces from the Federal period and the Victorian era, and is similar in style to other historic houses like the Mount Vernon and the Monticello.

● Notable Residents

The Perry House has been home to several notable residents, including Matthew Calbraith Perry, who played a key role in the Mexican-American War and the Opening of Japan. The house was also owned by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's nephew, Christopher Raymond Perry, who was a naval officer and a member of the United States Congress. Other notable residents include John Lee Carroll, a governor of Maryland and a member of the Carroll family, and Daniel Carroll, a signer of the United States Constitution and a member of the Continental Congress. The Perry House is also near the United States Naval Academy, which has been attended by several notable figures, including John McCain, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush.

● Preservation Efforts

The Perry House has been the subject of several preservation efforts, including a major restoration in the 1960s led by the Historic Annapolis Foundation. The house is now owned by the State of Maryland and is operated by the Maryland Historical Trust, which also manages other historic sites like the Hammond-Harwood House and the William Paca House. The Perry House has been recognized for its architectural significance and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, along with other notable sites like the White House and the United States Capitol. The house is also a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which includes other historic sites like the Mount Vernon and the Monticello.

● Tourism and Events

The Perry House is open to the public for tours and offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived there, including Matthew Calbraith Perry and John Lee Carroll. The house is also available for special events, including weddings and receptions, and is a popular destination for tourists visiting Annapolis, Maryland. The Perry House is near several other historic sites, including the United States Naval Academy, the Maryland State House, and the Annapolis Historic District, which includes other historic sites like the William Paca House and the Chase-Lloyd House. Visitors to the Perry House can also explore the surrounding area, which includes the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River, and is near other notable sites like the Fort McHenry and the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Category:Historic houses in Maryland