There are many places rich in history throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore region. From the classic coastal resorts with unique stories to tell to the abundance of diverse farmland dotting the greater Chesapeake, exploring the past accounts of the surrounding area is fairly easy to do if you know where to look. Some historic detours, however, remain hidden local gems. That’s certainly the case concerning Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury, Maryland.
Many out-of-town visitors to the area don’t even know of its existence. Yet Pemberton Historical Park provides one of the best regional representations of an original 18th-century suburban shore plantation that remains intact today. That’s why, in this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m offering an overview of Pemberton Historical Park, detailing tidbits and facts from its past while sharing current experiences available to today’s visitors.
Handy’s Land Purchase
The backstory for Pemberton Historical Park officially begins in 1726 when Isaac Handy purchased 960 acres of undeveloped land opposite the Wicomico River from Joseph Pemberton. Handy, one of the pioneering founders who helped to establish Salisbury Town, wore many hats in his day. He was a lawyer, acted as Justice of the Peace, and served as a Colonel in the Maryland Militia. He was also deeply invested in planting and agriculture, having established a local shipping business known as “Handy’s Landing” owing to his constant services to planters throughout the Wicomico River region.
With his new land purchase, Handy would go on to establish a working plantation. In 1741 he built Pemberton Hall on his property. The house was constructed as a 1 +1⁄2-story, three-bay house with a Flemish bond brick pattern and a gambrel roof. It was home to Handy and his family (wife and 11 children) for many years.
Pemberton Hall Ownership Through the Years
Pemberton Hall served as a private residence to several owners throughout the centuries following Isaac Handy’s death in 1762. There was Allison Parsons, for instance. A Southern sympathizer living on the estate during the American Civil War, Parsons certainly livened up the scene here, even going so far as to fire off cannon shots each time she got word of a Confederate Victory. Despite being ordered to cease firings, Parsons continued to do as she pleased, leading U.S. Army soldiers to raid Pemberton Hall on a quest to silence the cannon once and for all. It was all in vain though, as Parsons buried the cannon before they even arrived onsite.
Elihu E. Jackson, who would later serve as the 41st Governor of Maryland, became the new owner in 1868. He bought Pemberton Hall with James Cannon at a trustee’s sale.
Seth Taylor was the last residential owner of Pemberton Hall from 1931 to 1963. This overlaps with when the newly-formed Pemberton Hall Foundation, an all-volunteer membership nonprofit, purchased the site with intentions to preserve, restore, and maintain it.
Establishing a Historical Park
In addition to restoring Pemberton Hall to its former glory, the Foundation got busy with several other preservation efforts for the site. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
By 1980, the Pemberton Hall Foundation was actively working with the Wicomico Recreations and Parks Department to create a historical park onsite of the comprising premises. Before the decade was up, a new 262-acre park officially opened to the public with a founding mission to “provide a setting that blends together history and nature.”
The Pemberton Historical Park of Today
Today’s visitors to Pemberton Historical Park may experience a broad range of activities and endeavors. These include observing all the obvious historic callouts and displays along with unique bucolic explorations of the surrounding grounds. The latter experiences include ponds that offer catch-and-release fishing, wetlands, forests, vast ecosystems, and more. You’ll also find plenty of picnicking sites, an intricate trail system spanning four and a half miles (great for hiking), an outdoor amphitheater, and so much more.
While abundant naturally occurring wildlife can be found throughout the Park, one of the greatest onsite highlights is stopping by the resident Nature Center. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends, the Nature Center is home to several unique animal ambassadors of varying species. The ensemble comprises a milk snake named Jack, two corn snakes called Skittles and Noodle, two green anoles named Hidey and Monkey, and a Russian tortoise that goes by Mater.
While the Park grounds are open daily, from dawn through dusk, Pemberton Hall is only open at select times for tours led by Foundation volunteers during the summer months. Tours can be arranged by making reservations in advance. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more.
The Park is the site of various environmental education programs that occur throughout the year and is even a sought-after field trip destination by many area schools. Additionally, you’ll find the grounds playing host to several seasonal events. Click here to learn about all upcoming events.
Pemberton Historical Park is the only original 18th-century house museum on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland open to the public. It provides a pleasing detour to discovering the past and exploring the natural wonders of the greater coastal region. You’ll find this hidden gem attraction just minutes from Route 50 located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD 21801. Visit the website to learn more.