Centennial Anniversary Celebrated in Crownsville, Maryland

On Saturday, November 12, 2016, the Ann Arundel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Friends of the Rising Sun Inn celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of the gifting of the historic Inn to the Chapter. The Rising Sun Inn, built circa 1753 by Edward Baldwin, is a rare example of a Pre-Revolutionary, hip-roofed planter’s home located at 1090 Generals Highway in Crownsville, Maryland. Along with local Chapter officers and members, many of the Maryland State Society DAR Officers celebrating the event included the current Maryland State Regent, Mrs. Carol Larkin. To mark the 100^th Anniversary, Chapter Regent Mrs. Mary Fisher, presented Mrs. Larkin with a hand-turned wooden bowl made with wood from the Inn’s 100-year old elm tree that had been removed earlier in the year after being struck by lightning. Also present was Mr. Ben Williams and his wife, Lucinda, who travelled from Kingston, Tennessee, to participate in the celebration as Mr. Williams is the great-grandson of the last owner, Mr. Richard Thomas Williams who gifted the Inn.

As farmhouse and tavern, the Rising Sun Inn, known first as Baldwin’s Tavern and later as the Rising Sun Tavern, has witnessed Anne Arundel County history since the 18^th century, not only as a tavern, but also as a stage coach stop, a post office, community meeting place, even a tax collector’s stop. By the early 20^th century, the Inn was vacant and falling victim to savages of time. Mrs. Alice Leakin Welsh, first Regent of the Chapter, dreamed of securing ownership of the old landmark, restoring it, and making it a center for historic and patriotic projects. On November 25, 1916, Mr. Williams gifted the special Inn to the Chapter on the condition it be maintained as an historical site and museum.

The Friends of the Rising Sun Inn is a non-profit, 501(c)3 charitable organization established to provide funding for the preservation, restoration, repair, maintenance, and operation of the Rising Sun Inn and property as an historical site and museum. The Rising Sun Inn is listed with the National Registry of Historic Places, and is open to the public on the second Sunday of each month from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 and assists with operating expenses.