Beyond the gorgeous Georgian façade of Chase Lloyd House lies a fascinating history. Take an insightful guided tour around the lower level of the property to learn all about the house’s function throughout the centuries and how it still serves as a private residential home.
Gaze up at the three-story mansion. Work began on the house in 1769 under orders from then-lawyer Samuel Chase, who would go on to become an associate justice of the Supreme Court and sign the U.S. Declaration of Independence. In 1771, however, Chase was forced to sell the unfinished property to wealthy American planter Edward Lloyd IV who enlisted the help of Colonial architect William Buckland to complete the interior.
Join a tour of the well-preserved house. Admire the symmetry of the house’s design and the ornamental molding of the interior, both characteristic features of Georgian architecture. The interior also contains many other original and restored features including pine floors and decorative plasterwork. Look for original antiques, including china and furnishings, inside the property.
Listen as your guide tells you about the storied history of the house, which came back under ownership of the Chase family in 1847. Learn about the legacy of its former owners. The final owner of the house, Hester Anne Chase Ridout, stated in her will that the property be used as a home to provide a refuge for older women. This is the function the house continues to hold to this very day. While most other historic houses in the region have been converted into museums, the Chase Lloyd House remains an independent living facility for elderly women.
Tours of Chase Lloyd House are available in the afternoon from Mondays through Saturdays, from March through December. There is a fee to enter. At other times, view the property from the outside only. If you plan on taking a tour, wear flat shoes to help prevent damage to the original floors.
