Ferry Hill Plantation House (Historic Structure Report, part 2)

Physical Description

Summary of Character

Defining Features

The character-defining features of the Ferry Hill Plantation House are discussed in four categories: sitting, massing, material use, and detailing. Each category will be addressed separately, although often features discussed within one area have significance and influence on another.

Setting/Siting:
The setting, location and general siting of the building are character-defining. The building's position within the landscape has historical, architectural and cultural significance. Positioned on the highest part of a promontory surrounded on almost three sides by the Potomac River, the plantation house commanded the views of the Maryland and (West) Virginia countryside. The views afforded for the occupants a heightened knowledge of the movement of people and of weather— two aspects that proved significant during John Blackford's tenure in the property and during the building's occupation in the Civil War. John Blackford in his diaries commented almost daily on river and canal traffic and on weather patterns.

Equally important, the siting allowed the property to be seen from significant distances. In many ways the home served as a landmark for travelers along the river and canal.

The significance of the siting of the property has been recognized and discussed in the Ferry Hill Cultural Landscape Report, completed in June 2004. Any decisions affecting the property's future use need to consider this relationship between the building and its site. Uses that reinforce the appreciation and magnitude of the historic view sheds will help protect this character-defining feature...