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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Big Pool in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Fort Frederick Officers’ Quarters

 
 
Fort Frederick Officers’ Quarters Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
1. Fort Frederick Officers’ Quarters Marker
Inscription.
A Ghost in the Ground. Before you is the foundation of “The Governor’s House,” the building that served as the officers’ quarters, ceremonial hall and storeroom for Fort Frederick. What did that building look like? We know the size and general layout of the building from the foundation. There are only a few historical documents, which mention the building. Of those, the most significant is Samuel Hughes’s 1778 letter, from which we learn that the building was a 2-story timber framed structure with weather board siding and a wood-shingled roof. Beyond that general description we know very little. There are no plans, sketches or early images showing more.

Where Do We Go from Here? Although most of the historical research is completed, this sketch is the beginning. DGS, DNR, the Historical Consultant, and the Architect will refine the design and will complete details for construction. The building will be erected using framing techniques very similar to those used by 18th century builders on the frontiers of Maryland. Throughout the process we are counting on
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the interest and support of visitors and the Friends of Fort Frederick.

Letting History Fill in the Details. To gather missing evidence, we conducted exhaustive historical research into similar military buildings and other structures of the 1756 period—especially those within a one hundred mile radius—part of the regional building tradition. We also consulted archival resources from the Library of Congress, the Historic American Building Surveys, private collections, original guidebooks for carpenters, and period design books. Our goal was to identify common building practices and stylistic features, which would inform the design for the reconstructed Officers Quarters. The sketch shown here is a result of that research.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial EraForts and CastlesWar, French and IndianWar, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
 
Location. 39° 36.624′ N, 78° 0.23′ W. Marker is near Big Pool, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from Fort Frederick
Marker and Foundation Inside the Fort Walls image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
2. Marker and Foundation Inside the Fort Walls
The fort's well can be seen in the distance. This view is east. The front door to the Officer's Quarters would have faced the fort's entrance across the parade ground.
Road south of Big Pool Road (Maryland Route 56). It is inside the fort. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Pool MD 21711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Frederick (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Frederick (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nathan Williams (about 300 feet away); “...a place of Arms...would be absolutely neccessary” (approx. ¼ mile away); "Old Fort Frederick" (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Pool.
 
Regarding Fort Frederick Officers’ Quarters. The Historical Consultant mentioned on the marker is Douglass C. Reed of Preservation Associates in Hagerstown, Maryland. The Architect is with the firm of Bushey Feight Morin, also in Hagerstown.
 
Also see . . .  Fort Frederick State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources website entry (Submitted on February 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.) 
 
Additional keywords. DGS: Maryland
The Well image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
3. The Well
Department of General Services; DNR: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
 
Plaque on Well image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
4. Plaque on Well
This well restored by Janet Montgomery Chaper, Daughters of the American Revolution, July 1930.
Fort Entrance image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 22, 2006
5. Fort Entrance
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,475 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

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Mar. 19, 2024