Description

Widehall is one of the foremost examples of mid-Georgian architecture in Maryland and was placed on the register of Historic Places in 1972. Built in 1769 by Colonel Thomas Smythe, a wealthy ship owner and merchant, today it certainly is the premier waterfront home in Chestertown's historic district and thought by some to be designed by the same architect as Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Entered through a heavily paneled front wood door, with a triangular pediment above and hand fluted side columns, into the large stair hall with hanging mahogany stairway from which Widehall derives its name. Magnificent triple arches delineate a 36 foot center hall leading to three rooms of equal size, through doorways with classic cornices and 12 foot ceiling height throughout. The dining room is the best workmanship found with a broken pediment panel above the fireplace, one of six original fireplaces, and flanked by two built in cupboards. Silver knobs decorate the paneled shutters of the 12 over 12 original windows and the beautiful, antique chandeliers, one Waterford from a Newport mansion, illuminate the deep moldings, wainscoting, and wide plank gleaming floorboards. A magnificent two floor columned porch was added to enjoy the Chester River waterfront view as well as a kitchen wing. It is said that George Washington was a guest when he founded Washington College and during later visits to the college. Recent owners completed a total renovation in 2007 providing state of the art utilities and modern amenities from six zones of geothermal heating and cooling, 17 zones of in floor radiant heat, low temperature alarm, sprinkler system, LiteTouch computerized lighting, a whole house generator, gourmet granite kitchen with professional Viking stove, two laundries, sound system, security and electric trap door access to the pièce de résistance, the rooftop Widow's Walk. The panoramic view from that vantage point is incredible from the bridge to the yacht club. The outstanding modernization completed without impacting the beautiful museum quality architecture creates a thoroughly livable home for today. Own a piece of history in Chestertown, a vibrant college town and enjoy life on the Eastern Shore.