57 Cornhill St. in Historic Annapolis

It’s rare for most Realtors to step back in time over 250 years in the course of a day on the job, but that’s exactly what I had the fortune to do last week when I visited Florence Calvert’s new listing at 57 Cornhill St. in Annapolis’s Historic District. In a town whose life span compares to Boston’s North End or Colonial Williamsburg, 57 Cornhill’s legacy is beautifully preserved, yet quite current.

57 Cornhill St., Annapolis

The original section of the home, the kitchen, was possibly built as early as 1696, probably to serve the British Colonial Governor Nicholson’s palace. With the original brick hearth as a focal point, the kitchen retains the original wood beam ceiling amongst modern-day appliances, fine cherry cabinets, and soapstone countertops. There’s even a hidden staircase in one of the pantry closets, now supporting shelves, which led to the rooms above.

Original Hearth and Beams

The home, commonly called The McCusker House after the late superintendent of construction at the Naval Academy whose family owned it for over 100 years, eventually grew to include what had been a 1750s colonial tavern called Sign of the Golden Scales, and a third section built in the late 1700s bridged the first two. The tavern area is now a living room and family room facing Cornhill St. at the formal entrance of the home.

Tavern Turned Family Room

Though the home was stitched together over time, the floor plan absolutely flows. A dining room, half bath, and laundry space round out the first floor, while the upstairs contains four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and generous closet space even by today’s standards.

Main Bedroom

While not a historical detail, this home contains some of the most valuable assets in downtown Annapolis today; parking spaces and a fenced backyard. Four cars can fit on the private, red brick driveway, and there’s plenty of privacy from neighbors to the sides and behind the home.

Backyard

Any discerning client who’d value and enjoy owning what’s believed to be one of the oldest standing structures in Annapolis, yet expects the modern comforts of the 21st century should see 57 Cornhill St.

Contact me for a private tour.