Near Salisbury in Wicomico County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Show of Wealth
Pemberton Plantation Historic Trail
Photographed by Nate Davidson, January 18, 2011
1. A Show of Wealth Marker
Isaac Handy designed Pemberton Hall to impress his neighbors. At the time, over 90 percent of people in the Chesapeake region lived in small, low, clapboard houses, about half the size of the Great Room of Pemberton Hall. Building a brick, gambrel-roofed house was a way for Isaac Handy to signal his wealth and his status in society. In the 18th century, outbuildings surrounded Pemberton Hall. Historical research and archaeological evidence show that the plantation once included a cook house, stable, milk house, corn house, tan house, barn, bark house and slave quarters. The "dependencies" are being reconstructed to replicate the working plantation.
[Caption:]
Shingles, beams, bricks, and hardware for construction were made on the plantation. Completed in 1741, Pemberton Hall was a grand structure for its place and time.
Erected by Wicomico County Parks & Tourism, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1741.
Location. 38° 20.833′ N, 75° 38.65′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is near Salisbury
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Pemberton Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Handy (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Peculiar Institution" at Pemberton Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); A Drop to Drink (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Pemberton Historical Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nature's Pasture (about 300 feet away); Plantation Barnyard (about 300 feet away); An Apple a Day (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Pemberton Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 12, 2024
2. A Show of Wealth Marker
The marker has weathered. The text at the bottom of the marker is now hard to interpret.
Photographed by Nate Davidson, January 18, 2011
3. Marker Location
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 12, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
