A tour of six outstanding homes in the Creagerstown area will be held on September 19 to benefit the restoration of the Union Reformed Church on Black's Mill Road in Creagerstown. The church was abandoned for many years. It was used as a storage area by St. John's Lutheran (next door). Not long after it appeared on Frederick Magazine's list of endangered historic properties members organized to gather funds to save the building from neglect. The roof has been replaced, the floors repaired, the stained glass windows have been restored and the building is now safe for use. The group is continuing to work on the interior and its needs. The profits from this tour will provide funds toward this continuing effort.

Six homes will be open as well as the two churches. Lunch and/or tea foods will be available at the Parish House across the street from the churches. Four of the homes are outside the village of Creagerstown. Two homes are in Creagerstown and are a short walk from the churches. This is important since these homes do not have parking available.

Working History the Lundell home is on the northern end of town on the right as one heads to Thurmont. This house was built in the 1700's by a blacksmith. The stone ruins of his shop are to the left of the house. This cabin was once the parsonage for St. John's Lutheran church. The Lundells have owned it since the late 1970's.

On the other side of town is Galleon's Lap home of Earl and Ann Miller. It was built in 1910 by Dr. Georgianna Devilbiss. She built it to be a home as well as offices for herself and her husband (Dr. J W Devilbiss). She also intended it to be a maternity hospital and Alaying in place@ for mothers following the birth of their babies. The Millers purchased the house and moved in after adding indoor plumbing, new wiring and other amenities in 1974.

Further down Creagerstown Road is Penterra Manor the home of Barry and Monika Lucey. The Georgian stone house was built in the mid to late1700's on a tract of land called Fourth Dividend. This land was granted by the king of England to Charles Carroll. It was later remodeled in the Greek Revival period. It is a beautiful representation of the 18th century Monocacy River Plantation. The house is an especially good example of the fine quality of stonework often found in Frederick County. Surrounding the house are lovely gardens and delightful views.. This working farm has been in the Lucey family for three generations.

At Jimtown on route 550 north of Creagerstown is the entrance to ASt. Elizabeth Farm@ a brick house built in 1794. The land was patented to Adam Spach in 1742. He chose to move to North Carolina and became a pioneer in the Moravian Church in America. The house was built by Jacob Weller, one of the founding members of the Graceham Moravian Church. The property changed hands more than 14 times over the years. Local people remember the Jackson family living there for many years. When Bill and Chris Eyler purchased the house in1976 the house had been abandoned for years and trees were growing in the basement! A new addition was completed in 2008. The house contains many architectural features also found in original Moravian homes/buildings in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and in Old Salem, North Carolina.

Old Comfort is the home of Bill and Bonny Sydnor who purchased the property in 1973. This old German-American stone farmstead sits on land from four 18th century land patents. Frederick Eichelberger purchased the property in 1793 and the house was likely built around that time. Original woodwork, hardware and other features can be found throughout the home. The older part of the house reflects the Pennsylvania-German style and the larger part added in the 1830's features Greek Revival influences. The property had several 18th century water powered mills including a four story gristmill and a separate sawmill. These plus a large stone bank barn and an ice house were lost in the last century.

Swan's Harbor Farm is located further along on Long's Mill Road. This new stone house was built in 2007.It was designed by Priscilla Rall Stambaugh and built by her husband Richard. The property has been in the Stambaugh family since 1924. Their home incorporates the latest technology but transports you to time gone bywith vintage woodwork and design details. They enjoy surprising first time visitors who assume the house is an old home they=ve renovated!

This is an opportunity to see houses rarely seen by the public. Tickets for the tour are $20.00. They may be purchased at the following businesses in Thurmont: Ace Hardware, Brown's Jewelry, Dee's Beauty Salon, Gateway Farm Market and Hobb's Hardware. Tickets will also be available at the Parish House on the day of the tour. The self-guided tour will be from 1P.M.until 5P.M. Luncheon tickets will be $7.00 at the door and food will be served from 1P.M. until 6P.M.

Contact: 301 418 1760