Monday, April 14, is National Gardening Day. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, the weather’s been a little less-than-cooperative, making it somewhat difficult to get outdoors and start stirring up the soil. But there are many other ways to jumpstart upcoming gardening endeavors, like indoor seed starts or even hydroponic gardening—a great option for year-round growth.
Then, there is the marvel of the greenhouse to consider. These longtime wonders go back centuries and come in various formats and styles. More impressive still is that they make it possible to grow non-native plant species in regions where they wouldn’t otherwise thrive owing to climate, terrain, and all other external factors.
Just as they’ve been throughout the world since antiquity, the greenhouse has long been a staple of the New World. Believe it or not, Maryland just happens to be home to the oldest, still-standing greenhouse in the nation. I’m referring to the Historic Wye House Orangery in Wye, Maryland.
As a homesite laden with local and historical significance, and in honor of the upcoming National Gardening Day, this Flashback Friday Feature will offer an in-depth look into the long-lasting legacy of the Wye House property. Specific emphasis will, of course, be placed on its impressive Orangery of such great acclaim.
A Bit About Greenhouses
Greenhouses come in many different distinctions. You have hoop houses, temporary pop-ups, polyethylene-based buildings, and sturdier structures of more durable stock. Some are independently standing edifices, while others are directly connected to a main house or building. These assume more of a sunporch feel. The functionality for all the above remains the same by utilizing sun-provided heat and trapping it inside, enabling the plants that are kept within to thrive.
While “greenhouse” remains the umbrella term, an “orangery” is a specific form of greenhouse that was fairly popular among the wealthy in 18th-century America. Interest in citrus fruits was at an all-time high back then, as were fascinations with large tree and exotic plant cultivations. The protection from the elements these greenhouses provided made the keeping of oranges and similar fruits a reality in non-tropical regions. That is where the name “orangery” is derived.
Orangeries were also typically built using wood, brick, stone, or a combination of all the above. They contained massive windows and often assumed a lantern-style roof.
The Historic Wye House Estate
The Wye House stands overlooking the banks of the scenic waterfront of the Wye River—a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in Talbot County. The comprising land, once part of the stately Wye Plantation, was established by Edward Lloyd, a Welsh Puritan, during the 1650s. Lloyd arrived in the colonies sometime in the 1620s, first settling in Virginia, where he was a burgess in the Virginia Assembly until 1649. He then moved to Maryland and was a member of the general assembly. He was even made “commander” of the newly established Anne Arundel by Governor Stone before relocating to Talbot County to assist in its organization.
Wye Plantation remained in the family with each passing generation. The first home that was built on the grounds was destroyed and burned by British marauders on the evening of March 13, 1781. Shortly afterward, the great-great-grandson of Edward Lloyd—Edward Lloyd IV—had a newer house built on the property by Robert Key. The remnants of the former home were used as the base of an outbuilding. That second Wye House erected during the late 1780s is the one that still stands proudly on the site today. It serves as an excellent architectural marvel that combines the Federal and Georgian styles in a unique display all its own!
The Former Home of Frederick Douglass
Because the site was typical of a Southern plantation, it is an unfortunate reality to note that the house and the grounds relied heavily on the institution of slave labor. The funds generated through slavery were, in fact, used to build the house directly. It is estimated that thousands of enslaved people worked on Wye Plantation, which once encompassed over 42,000 acres.
Among the slaves who lived and worked here was none other than Frederick Douglass. Douglass lived here shortly when he was just seven or eight. Being too young to work in the fields, he was resigned to working in the house. Douglass has recounted the harsh and brutal treatment he experienced throughout his tenure here in his writings.
He’s also spoken of how prominent the estate was in its day and how it frequently attracted visitors hailing from Annapolis, Baltimore, and Easton. They were primarily intent on viewing the Lloyd family’s notable lush gardens as well as their impressive collection of exotic fruits, which were, of course, housed in the orangery.
The Innovative Orangery
The aforementioned gardens of such idyllic acclaim can be found in the back of the main house. It comprises a web of winding walkways, boxwood hedges, greenery, and flourishing floral callouts. Situated at the far end stands a large rectangular structure made of brick and glass. This is the famed Wye House Orangery you’ve heard so much about.
The Orangery spans an impressive 85 feet in length. Keeping with the same standards in innovation and architecture as the main house, there is much to be said about the overall structure, décor, and functionality of this exemplary edifice. First, you have its appealing aesthetics with its large windows and steep rooftop. But the charm of the style is more than just eye candy; the unique touches maximum sunlight and ventilation throughout the building. Recent excavations have even uncovered that the original 18th-century heating system of hot-air ducts remains intact today! Among other charming callouts are the stucco-covered brick walls designed to resemble stonework.
The Orangery stands two stories high in the center. This area is four bays long and contains tall one-story windows on the first floor. The lower section was formerly used for growing lemon trees, oranges, other fruits, and vegetables. The upper section served primarily as storage utilization and contained an 18th-century billiards room in addition.
A Marvel for the History Books
The still-standing Wye Orangery, with all its stellar showcasing claims to fame, is believed to be the very last surviving 18-century greenhouse of its kind. This was confirmed by both the Conservatory Heritage Society and Frederick Douglass Heritage. It’s also been recognized as the only extant 18th-century example of its kind in the United States by the National Gallery of Art. The Society of Architectural Historians goes on to define Wye House Orangery as the earliest building of its type still surviving in the United States.
The Wye House premises, which includes its signature orangery, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. The home is still owned by descendants of Edward Lloyd, serving as a private residence. The house, its grounds, and orangery are not open to the public, although the current owner will consider personal, written requests for private tours.
Wye House truly is a magnificent representation of a historical wonder, a functioning greenhouse, and a masterful work of art and architecture.