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Long Green Farm
The owners and members of this farm were very wealthy people who lived amongst and married into other wealthy families of the area. Miss Julia Bell Deford, who married William S. G. Williams in 1890 was well liked by newspaper reporters; on the occasion of her wedding, the Maryland Journal described her as “one of the most handsomest girls of Baltimore society” and “strikingly beautiful.”
Slides (taken by Katherine Tyler for the Maryland Historical Trust as part of the nomination for a Long Green Valley Historic District). Descriptive text adapted from Haile-Wollon. Long Green Farm Barn. This structure is easily the most recognized bldg associated with the farm. It is made of stone with a hewn brace-frame interior and two louvred cupolas atop its roof ridge. The structure follows along with the same 1820 construction time frame as the main house. Presently, it houses the wine tasting and reception rooms, sales, and wine storage. Long Green Farm Overseer’s House. What I believe is the second most recognized structure on the grounds, this building has label lintels over the windows, wooden shingles, and a steep gable on its front façade. The exterior Gothic details are those not normally seen on a typical country home. Keeping in mind that the house was commissioned by a very wealthy businessman, it wasn’t too much for these details to be included in the construction of this home. A notation has been found that states the interior mantels are fashioned in the Greek Revival Period of 1825-1860. An overseer typically refers to a farm manager, who indeed was employed by Mr. Williams, but other help was employed here as well. Mr. Williams had a butler, a cook, a footman, a driver, in addition to farm attendants. Where they all lived is not clear. Long Green Farm Granary and Piggery. These two buildings are of original construction and have details such as cross-gable roofs and ornamental cupolas. Just their names give us insight into what the Gittings and Williams families felt was profitable enough to raise on their farms. Long Green Farm Barn and Other Buildings. Another view of the principal barn, granary, and piggery. The Gothic details place the construction of these structures sometime around the 1840-1860s. The land today is used to raise hay, soybeans, and corn. Some of the fields are rented out by Mr. Dietz. Dairy cattle graze here and of course, there are the vineyards. Long Green Farm Chicken House. This bldg has a frame structure, jig-sawn eaves, and cupola. It was built using verge boards. All of these features are considered to be Gothic details. Long Green Farm Carriage House. Made of stone, it is thought to be the oldest barn in the district. It is now in use as a residential dwelling. Long Green Farm Spring House. Spring houses were generally made of stone to prevent rot and decay. This one in particular is a very large structure with several rooms. It even has a small fireplace to keep workers warm and in good supply of hot coffee. Long Green Farm Ice House. Ice houses were typically set deep into the ground, which was naturally cooler than the air at ground level or above. The design employs a double space, the outer perimeter is filled with sawdust for insulation and the inner perimeter is an air pocket, again, acting as an insulator. These structures are rare. Another ice house can be found at Limespring Farm on Glen Arm Rd. Outbuildings, especially large ones, required expensive upkeep and maintenance; therefore, many of these structures were left to rot and deteriorate. Long Green Farm Outbuilding. I haven’t been able to identify this structure, but kept it in with the bunch because I thought it was cute. Maybe it’s a shed or tool house? Is it a potting shed? Identification is further unclear as it has a chimney. Smokehouses had different designs than this. Long Green Farm House. The stone exterior is plain for a home built during the Greek Revival Period, but it has been said that the interior is full of detailed plasterwork and decorative molding that follows the style of that time. It has a rich interior with leaded transoms, paneled doors, and onyx and marble mantels. The architect of this 1820’s structure is not identified, nor is the builder. Family tradition has it that the original house burned after 1798 and that this home was built as a replacement. The home had telephone service as early as 1908 and once the Ma & Pa RR came through, it was very convenient to hop the train from the city and be dropped off in your backyard. Long Green Farm Cemetery. This private family cemetery is on the grounds of Long Green Farm. Surrounded by a wrought iron fence, the tablestones are from the 18th & 19th Centuries. These types of stones are unusual for a private burial ground. The earliest stone is dated 1776, that of a son-in-law. There are many James Gittings buried here and I’m not sure who they all are. Two of the James, Sr and Jr owned Long Green Farm and are buried here alongside their wives. The latest burial is of Wm R. S. Gittings, who was buried here in 1897. Long Green Farm Privy. This privy is a bit more accommodating than those found on smaller farms. The Long Green Farm privy had two compartments, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. This structure has a hipped roof design and was built in the late 19th C. Most privies were razed once indoor plumbing was installed. Their small size rendered them pretty unadaptable, though some had been moved and turned into tool sheds. Long Green Farm Gasoline Pump. The introduction of gas powered engines, the many pieces of equipment used on the farm, and the novelty of the automobile brought about the need for a gas pump and storage tank on the grounds. Long Green Mill Miller’s House. This site is on Long Green Farm, but sits alongside Long Green Rd.. A few mills were built here over the years where they used the Long Green Creek for waterpower. The 1798 tax ledgers state that a mill existed here, “much out of repair.” Another mill was built here in the 1860’s, bought from the Gittings, owned and operated for a time by Moses and Andrew Miller. The property was later bought back by later generations of Gittings. The dwelling no longer exists. A new house built in 1986 was built in this area by the Deford family. Long Green Mill Barn. This structure is located at the corner of Long Green Pike and Long Green Rd.. It may have been a sawmill at some point in time. It is not certain if the bldg shelters anything at the moment, but cows can be seen grazing and bathing here during the day. References Haile, ER Jr and Wollon, JT Jr. 1981. Historic Long Green Valley. Architecture-History. 1900 US Census for Maryland, Baltimore County, 11th District, Series T623, Microfilm Roll 607, Page 310 Maryland Tombstone Transcription Project, Judy Renee Pope, Contributor Williams, SG. Will recorded and entered in Baltimore County, Liber WJP 20, folio 269 (10/1918) Gittings, John S. Will recorded and entered in Baltimore County Orphans Court (12/16/1879) American Country Building Design, by Donald Berg 1798 tax list of Gunpowder Hundred Baltimore County Deeds Liber WMI 136 liber 4 (year 1883) Baltimore County Deeds Liber EHA 62 liber 245 (year 1869) Maryland Journal, Towson, Maryland, November 15, 1890 |
