Help Needed Now to Save 1774 Kemmerer House

UPDATE: Kammerer House and the smokehouse have been demolished . Citicorp/Citigroup has backed out of the contract thus the demolition was unnecessary.

Thanks to all those who have tried to help. Here is the story:
Citicorp had serious security concerns about the house location and rather than lose it, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee agreed to persue moving the building. Citigroup offered $20,000 and an alternate location. After a site visit and estimates, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee agreed to move the building if feasible. A company gave a much reduced contract price $56,000 to move the house 1/2 mile to the new site. The extensive media coverage and regional interest would have more than compensated the company for their efforts and generosity. A large local bank gave a loan of $75,000, an excavating contractor arranged the site work pro bono. An outpouring of grassroots support resulted in donations and pledges. A professionally prepared "proposed use plan" was submitted with all of the above to CHIEF. Abruptly, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee recieved a phone call advising them that the deal was off, there would be no discussion or explanation.
They had met the challenge that couldn't be met and then the rug was pulled out! The community is reeling. This is a sad and strange end to the struggle. Thank you for all your help and your dedication to preservation. We will continue to visit your website and support the cause.
-- Information submitted by Yvonne Hope Chairman, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee.

The 1774 Kemmerer House is the last remnant of a 100-acre colonial homestead located near Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is in immediate danger of destruction despite the combined efforts of local historical societies to save the home and renovate it for a museum and archives. Johann Ludwig Kemmerer, who immigrated from Germany in 1735 on the same ship as Hagerstown’s founder, built the house. With stone walls 2-feet thick, rifle slots in the basement walls, an indoor spring for survival during siege, and Ludwig’s initials carved into a gable stone, this is a piece of Maryland’s heritage that, once gone, can never be replaced. A small, unmarked graveyard is also on the site and this is also of great concern.

Rear view of house (the addition is from a later period) -- this is the area the local historical society would like to use for an office/archives. The addition or even the upstairs of the main building would also be great for corporate lodging.

The Kemmerer House sits on approximately a half-acre of land at the edge of Airport Business Park. It is owned by the Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation, known as CHIEF. Citicorp (now owned by Citigroup) has a large facility in the business park and is the intended buyer of the property. Local preservationists, as well as descendents of Ludwig Kemmerer covering America coast-to-coast, have written many letters to the local press, Citicorp, and CHIEF. Nevertheless, in late December, CHIEF applied for a permit to demolish the house and outbuildings. The graveyard will of course also be destroyed. The permit must be reviewed by county and state agencies, however, so there is STILL time to act.

Side view with the gable stone -- the Citicorp parking lot and facility face the other side of the house.

Local historical societies are very interested in saving and renovating the home for a local museum and archives. We have also asked Citicorp to consider preserving it for corporate use, as has taken place successfully at other industrial parks with old homes on the grounds. We have had very little response from either CHIEF or Citicorp, except the suggestion that we move the building. The spring and graveyard make the site very integral to whole building’s integrity, and we see that as a very poor last option. It appears that CHIEF, a private corporation, has a great deal of power in the county and influence on the county government.

The situation needs immediate, vocal support to prevent an irreplaceable loss. We believe the primary hopes are the following:

1. asking CHIEF to donate the property and allow us a legitimate time period to raise restoration funds;
2. persuade Citicorp to preserve the home itself, or purchase the land with the home intact and then donate it to the appropriate caretakers.

It is important to note:

• The Kemmerer House is one of the few remaining 18th century homes in Washington County and has been documented as an excellent example of early German-American architecture, in structurally sound condition
• There is a local organization ready to make practical and educational use of the site.
• The Kemmerer House is a comprehensive cultural artifact — the home itself, the documentation of its origin and ownership, the genealogy of its families and how they spanned local, regional, and national history.
• The Kemmerer house has drawn attention both locally and across the nation, as descendants of Johann Kemmerer have traveled from as far as Washington state to visit the homestead.
• The small half-acre property would be a nominal reserve among the much larger corporate area. It would create a park-like setting that would be a positive addition for both the corporate and residential community.
• Helping to preserve the Kemmerer House offers public relations benefits for CHIEF and/or Citicorp. Its an opportunity to demonstrate the compatibility of development interests and community pride.

Letters or personal contact with messages of support for the Kemmerer House should be sent to:

Letters to the Editor The Herald Mail 100 Summit Ave. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Ph. (301)-733-5131 Letters may be faxed to (301)-714-0245 or E-mailed to: news@herald-mail.com (Please include your name, address, and Phone No. or you will not be published.) Board of Directors c/o Merle Elliott, President Hagerstown/Washington Co. Industrial Foundation 14606 Pennsylvania Ave Hagerstown, MD 21742 John S. Reed, Chairman Citigroup 153 East 53rd St. Manhattan, New York NY 10043 Phil Kelley, Public Relations Dept. Citicorp Credit Services 14700 Citicorp Way Hagerstown, MD 21742 Michael J. Looney, Corporate State Officer Citicorp 14700 Citicorp Way Hagerstown, MD 21742

This building has been refered to as the smokehouse. The unmarked graveyard is to the left as you face it.

Last revised October 9,1999
Preserve & Protect