Enjoy a rare guided tour of historic Wye House, its remarkable collections, and its storied grounds.
Join Richard Tilghman, owner and steward of historic Wye House, for a special tour of one of Maryland’s most remarkable homes and one of the few privately owned National Historic Landmarks in the United States.
Situated along the Wye River on land first acquired in 1659 by Welsh immigrant Edward Lloyd I, the estate has remained in the same family for more than 350 years. The centerpiece of the property is the magnificent Wye House, built between 1784 and 1790 by Edward Lloyd IV. Approached by a half‑mile avenue of towering oaks and beeches, the house is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in America.
We’ll explore the home’s elegant rooms, its distinctive seven‑part design, and original furnishings preserved for generations. Inside, you’ll see notable examples of Maryland craftsmanship, including furniture by Annapolis cabinetmaker John Shaw and Baltimore craftsman Edward Priestley, along with historic portraits, English mirrors, Chinese export porcelain, and Lloyd family books that illuminate the estate’s long history.
The tour also includes key historic outbuildings, such as the extraordinary 18th‑century Orangery — the only complete surviving structure of its kind in the United States — still used to protect citrus trees in winter. You’ll also learn about the Captain’s House, where Frederick Douglass slept as a young boy, and other plantation buildings that offer insight into daily life on the estate.
You’ll enjoy a visit to the gardens that blend newer plantings with restored 19th‑century landscapes and mature trees, and sweeping views that define the estate’s remarkable beauty.
What to expect:
This rare opportunity offers an intimate look at an extraordinary house, its collections, gardens, and grounds, while exploring the complex and important history of one of Maryland’s most significant historic estates.
Precise directions will be provided in the 2-day and day-of reminder memos from Chesapeake Forum.
Friday | Oct 2 | 1 – 3:30pm *note the extended time| IN PERSON (at historic Wye House, north of Easton, near the village of Tunis Mills.)| $30
