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eral purpose cellar. Most prominent was the wine cellar with an outstanding collection.
During Prohibition, the Ridgelys sold a large part of the contents of the wine cellar to
J. P. Morgan, using the proceeds to pay for electricity and new plumbing in the Mansion.
Heating Systems
The Ridgelys considered Hampton their country estate and maintained at least one
additional residence in Baltimore or Annapolis until the 20th century. They spent much
of the "season" or winter in town, socializing, conducting business and politics, and staying
warmer in the closer confines of a city house. By the second quarter of the 19th century,
however, the family did spend at least part of the winter at Hampton, including Christmas.
The first heating sources in the Mansion were fireplaces, part of the original construc-
tion. Wood stoves—the earlier ones of the Franklin type, the later ones closed—were
added to increase the heat output, and eventually, some of the fireplaces were converted
to burn coal.
In the mid-19th century, a gravity air furnace was installed in the cellar with ducts to
registers in the floorboards of the first story. In the second story, ducts also carried hot
air to the two central bedchambers. Stoves continued to be used to supplement the early
central system.
About 1910, radiator heat was installed in the Mansion, and this heating system,
although upgraded with thermostats and a new furnace, is still used today.
Hampton's baronial scale and grandiose design provided a spacious and comfortable set-
ting for both gracious entertaining and a close-knit family life for seven generations of
the Ridgely family.
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