For every person that has wanted to peek into the old house at the end of a lane, now is the time. Generous property owners will open their historic sites to the public for five weekends in April and May during the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage (MHGP), an annual tradition since 1937. Tours run Saturday April 21st through Saturday May 26 and include the following counties: Prince George’s County (Saturday, April 21), Anne Arundel County (Saturday, April 28), Talbot County Saturday, May 12), Cecil County (Sunday, May 20) and St. Mary’s County (Saturday, May 26). (Please note that the Cecil County tour is on Sunday.) MHGP website: www.mhgp.org
Each county’s tour includes seven or eight properties. Complete details about each tour (including house descriptions) are available on the MHGP website. Tickets for each day’s tour are $40.00 on day of the tour and $35.00 if bought pre-tour and can be purchased in advance online on the MHGP website. Lunches or lunch suggestions will be available on most tours.
The annual spring tours are a central component of MHGP’s efforts to cultivate awareness of Maryland’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Every year, proceeds from the tour support designated preservation projects in each host community. To date, the Pilgrimage has raised more than $1 million for the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties throughout the State of Maryland while entertaining and educating thousands of attendees.
“Being a part of the Pilgrimage is a wonderful way to support historic restoration in Maryland while taking advantage of the rare opportunity to visit unique and interesting sites in the different counties, “says MHGP Chair Les Foster. The Pilgrimage has become a yearly tradition for many, as Les adds, “Each year I invite my daughters to join me on a tour – this has become one of our favorite family traditions and a great way to enjoy our beautiful Maryland spring!”
Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage (MHGP), a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties in the State of Maryland. The Pilgrimage has remained constant with this purpose since its formation in 1937. It is the only statewide house and garden tour organization and the oldest tour in the State of Maryland, raising and distributing well over $1 million dollars in its 81-year history to support preservation projects in each host community.
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