Colonial Holiday Celebration
Explore the Belmont Manor House during the Howard County Conservancy’s 4th annual Colonial Holiday Celebration!
Sunday November 19, 2017 from 3-6pm.
Stroll through the historic Belmont Manor tasting fine wine and craft beer, sample food from local restaurants/caterers, and enjoy the historic manor house’s beautiful rooms, each decorated by a local community organization. The event will also include colonial reenactors, madrigals, live dulcimer and harp music and amazing raffle items.
Free with the purchase of each adult ticket is a colonial history program for children. Children ages 5 – 12 will participate with colonial games and crafts in the nature center on the grounds of Belmont Monor, while their parents enjoy the event at the nearby Manor House. *Space is limited, advanced registration required.
Thanks to our sponsor and catering partners!
Sponsor: Beth Wynne, RE/MAX 100
Catering partners: The Elkridge Furnace Inn, Atlantic Caterers, Rouge Fine Catering, Absolutely Perfect Catering, The Pantry Catering, Putting on the Ritz Catering, Hunt Valley Catering and Whitehouse Caterers. Wine and beer provided by Richburn Discount Liquors.
A brief history of the Belmont Manor
The Belmont manor, one of the oldest sites within Howard County, was passed down through generations. In 1732, Caleb Dorsey, an industrialist and farmer, purchased the land now known as Belmont. He gifted the land to his son, caleb, as a wedding present. The younger Caleb then built the manor house. Caleb and his wife Priscilla had three sons and six daughters, and when Caleb died in 1772, his son Edward inherited the property.
When Edward died, his daughter, also named Priscilla, inherited Belmont. Priscilla’s son, Charles, was a gambling addict, so she stated in her will that if he ever compromised the estate, ownership should be transferred to his wife and children. This allowed Charles’ daughters, Anna Marie and Florence, to gain ownership of the property in 1879.
In 1917, ownership of the property was passed to Mary Bowdoin Bruce and Mr. Howard Bruce, descendants of Caleb and Priscilla Dorsey. In 1961, after Howard Bruce’s death, the property passed to his cousin, who then gave it to the Smithsonian Institute. The Smithsonian converted Belmont into a conference center that hosted vice presidents, generals, astronauts and other notables. In 1983, Belmont was sold to the American Chemical Society, who continued to use the property as a conference center. In 2004, it was purchased by the Howard Community College who hosted hospitality classes on the property. Finally, in June of 2012, Howard County Recreation and Parks purchased Belmont to ensure stewardship of the land for the residents of Howard County.