Architecture And More
Architectural experts and historians continue to debate the age of
the Sands House. Thus far, structural and documentary evidence has
raised as many questions as answers. From the unique spiral stair just inside
the front door to the hand-hewn beams of upper rooms, the house speaks
of its 18th-century roots. Elsewhere, Greek Revival mantels and
gaslight fixtures tell of 19th-century lifestyles. Changing needs and
tastes in the 20th century brought a new front porch, bay window, and
rear wing.
A
Study House
For
years the house has been open for study by archaeologists,
architects, preservationists, historians, and students of history
from grade school to graduate school and beyond.
Among
other things, archaeological exploration on the site has brought to
light prehistoric Indian artifacts, colonial glass and ceramics, sewing items, remains of a flintlock, animal bones, and signs of
earlier Indian and English buildings.
Entry Hall Staircase
Historians and architectural experts from the Williamsburg Foundation have investigated the house and scoured documents related to its origins. An expert on dendrochronology, or tree-ring dating, found beams hewn from trees cut in 1681. Other features suggest that the timbers were recycled from an earlier building. Such findings raise as many questions as answers, fueling a debate that continues into the present. The search for answers is yet another chapter in the story that the house has to tell.
1988 Archaeological Excavation
The Sands House Foundation, Inc.
130 Prince George Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
e-mail: Comments@sandshouse.org
© 2006
Attic Beam Sampled by Dendrochronologist
