Collections

Focusing on those items owned and used by the Ridgely family during their 160
years of occupancy, the historic collections at Hampton National Historic Site
represent each generation, concentrating on the period between 1810 and 1870.
In the normal course of living, many Hampton furnishings have been dis-
persed. Some were scattered through inheritance and, in the 20th century, many were
sold by the fifth and sixth masters of Hampton to provide funds to maintain the diminishing
estate. The ultimate goal of the National Park Service is to furnish the Mansion to reflect
the different generations of Ridgelys who lived there. The nine period rooms on exhibit
will eventually relate almost two centuries
of the social and aesthetic history of a
prominent Maryland family.

In addition, one room at the Lower
House will be furnished to illustrate the
objects owned and used by a Ridgely
overseer, and one room of the Log Slave
Quarters will exhibit an interior setting
typical of the slaves' subsistence environ-
ment. In this manner, visitors will be able
to compare the status and living condi-
tions of three distinct social classes at
Hampton.

The Mansion

Music Room

The Music Room is furnished to rep-
resent Ridgely occupancy during the
latter part of the 19th century and into the
20th century. At that time, furnishings in-
cluded pieces dating from 1815 to 1870,
but were chiefly Victorian (1840-1870),
a period named for Victoria, Queen of
England from 1837 until 1901. Although
based on earlier periods, the distinctive
styles that developed in this era were
characterized by exaggeration in both
form and ornamentation.

In the "Music Saloon" during the
latter part of the 19th century, walnut
graining was prevalent on the wood-
work and doors, and the walls were

This walnut highback hall chair, upholstered in
dark green leatherette, is one of a set of twelve
made in Baltimore for the Ridgelys, c.1860. The
set was custom-ordered with the Ridgely coat-of-
arms carved in the crest rail.

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