Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR
Millersville, Maryland
Embedded Files
Ann Arundel Chapter House, The Historic Rising Sun Inn
Ann Arundel Chapter House, The Historic Rising Sun Inn
The Rising Sun Inn: Rescued from the Ravages of Time
The Rising Sun Inn: Rescued from the Ravages of Time
The Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR, is the only Maryland DAR chapter to own a historic building.
In 1911, Mrs. Alice Leakin Welsh, along with ten other women living in the Waterbury area of Anne Arundel County, organized the Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR. Mrs. Welsh dreamed of securing ownership of the old tavern, restoring it, and making it a center for historic and patriotic projects. By 1916, the now dilapidated old landmark on the verge of being lost was rescued from the ravages of time.
Mr. Richard “Bo” Williams, the owner of the inn, gifted the old Tavern to the Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR, on November 25, 1916, with the express purpose that it be preserved and maintained as a historical site or museum. Thus began a new journey for The Rising Sun Inn and Tavern, bringing it back to life and back into the community. This group of tenacious women incorporated and took out a loan for $5,000 during the middle of World War I to begin the restoration and preservation.
But this isn't where the story began or ended...
The Rising Sun Inn: Witness to History
The Rising Sun Inn: Witness to History
The Rising Sun Inn, built circa 1753, by Edward Baldwin, a prominent Anne Arundel County tobacco grower originally from All Hallows Parish. The inn originally served as a farmhouse for Edward, his wife, Susan Meeks Baldwin, and their four children, James, Henry, Lydia, and Deborah. Edward passed away at the age of 35, leaving the property to his sons. Henry received the land and home, now known as The Rising Sun Inn. Henry served in the American Revolutionary War. James maintained the Baldwin property, supplying the Continental Army with tobacco, which was shipped from nearby Indian Landing on the Severn River.
During the American Revolution, the residents would have witnessed the continental troops marching on the road in front of the inn. This road, the historic Old Post Road between Baltimore and Annapolis, was a major north-south route used during the colonial period. The Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR, was instrumental in the road being renamed "Generals Highway," as a lasting tribute to General George Washington and the French Major General Comte Jean de Rochambeau, who used the road during war. Today, this road is part of the National Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route.
After the war, in 1784, Henry married Sarah Hall Rawlings, widow of tavern keeper Francis Rawlings Jr. Henry expanded The Rising Sun Inn adding on the gambrel-roofed addition. In 1785, Henry secured a tavern license. The tavern, known as Baldwin's Tavern and later The Rising Sun Tavern. As was typical for the time, the tavern served as a post office, stagecoach stop, public meeting place, and tax collector's stop. After Sarah passed, Henry married Maria Graham Woodward, and they would operate the tavern until Henry's death in 1794. Maria Baldwin continued to operate the tavern as a widow until her marriage to her second husband, Augustine Gambrill. It remained a tavern until 1816 when it was sold out of the Baldwin family.
Following the Baldwins ownership, the inn changes hands several times during the next 100 years. The inn was owned by Richard Caton, a wealthy merchant and husband of Mary Carroll, daughter of The Declaration of Independence signor, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, until 1836. Then, by Adam Allen who resided there with his wife, Mary, until his death in 1845. Mary continued to live at The Rising Sun Inn until the mid-1850’s when she was no longer able to maintain the property. The inn was then purchased by Alexander Randall, a Maryland Attorney General from 1864 to 1867. Randall owned the inn until 1867 when he sold it to the inn’s last family, the Williams. Benjamin Williams, his wife, Hester, and their children resided there until his death in 1894. Williams' son, Randolph, was the last resident who lived at the inn until his death in 1913.
After Randolph Williams's death, the inn remained vacant. It was used for grain storage and the building, already more than 150 years old, began to rapidly decay. It would remain vacant and decaying for three years, until Mrs. Welsh and the Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR, Daughters stepped in and stepped up.
The Rising Sun Inn: Alice's Dream Continues
The Rising Sun Inn: Alice's Dream Continues
More than a century has gone by since those first Ann Arundel Daughters, led by Alice Leakin Welsh, rose to the challenge of restoring and preserving The Rising Sun Inn not just for the Crownsville community, but for Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland. Throughout its history under chapter ownership, the inn has continued to play an important role in Anne Arundel County. In addition to being a museum and historical site, the inn served as a Red Cross Work Center and a Recreation Center for Fort Meade soldiers during World Wars II and a Tea House during the intervening war years, drawing visitors from all over the world.
While the inn continues to serve as a place for meetings and social gatherings, the dreams of Alice Leakin Welsh, Bo Williams, and so many others have been realized in today's Rising Sun Inn. The Rising Sun Inn serves the Anne Arundel County community not only as a place for historic education through its programs and activities, but as a place to celebrate the community's past, present, and future.
The Ann Arundel Chapter, NSDAR, began a restoration process for the inn, and that work continues today. In addition to the collection of antiques and interesting artifacts, the museum features a large dollhouse, a scaled replica of the Anne Catherine and Jonas Green House in Historic Annapolis.
In 1985, The Rising Sun Inn was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places by the United States National Park Services. The Rising Sun Inn was also recognized by the National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association with a roadside marker installation. Most recently, Anne Arundel County recognized The Rising Sun Inn with a way marker installation.
The Rising Sun Inn is located at 1090 Generals Highway, Crownsville, Maryland. A variety of events and activities are hosted at inn and are open to the public. In addition, the inn is available for private tours, teas, small weddings, meetings, and other events. More information can be found on The Rising Sun Inn website.
Page updated
Report abuse