One of Harford County's Oldest Homes Saved from Demolition

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A year after the disassembly of an historic home began off Tollgate Road, county officials celebrated its relocation 11 miles from its original location.

The Joesting-Gorsuch House, believed to be one of the oldest homes in Harford County, was taken apart piece by piece and moved from the Winters Run Golf Club on Tollgate Road to Conowingo Road in Street.

The blue house was built in the mid to late 1700s, according to the Maryland Historical Trust. Its hearth was made of slate from the original sidewalks in the town of Bel Air.

Originally used as a farmhouse, the structure was later inhabited as a family home and ultimately turned into a pro shop and clubhouse at the Winters Run Golf Club in Bel Air.

When the golf club planned to raze the house to make way for development, County Executive Barry Glassman made it a priority to preserve the structure, which was dismantled piece by piece and stored with funds from the county’s hotel/lodging fee to promote tourism.

“I will admit the decision to save this house was indeed a product of the heart...which will represent the heritage of Harford County beyond all of our lifetimes," Glassman said at a ceremony Nov. 18 at the property's new location in Street.

"Historic homes change over time as society progresses, and they evolve each time they are updated or rebuilt," Glassman said. "They are an expression of where we are today. But this interpretation will stand for another 250 years.”

Descendants of the original owners — for whom it was named — attended the rededication ceremony.

The county executive said he hopes one day for the home to be opened as a visitors center, especially given its location near property where he envisions creating an agricultural research and learning center.

Related: Could Historic Home off Tollgate Road be Demolished?

Photo courtesy of Harford County Government.