Politics & Government

Elkridge Mansion Opens to the Public

Community invited to Belmont for a sneak peek inside home from 1700s.

The historic Elkridge estate that has been privately owned for decades will be open to the public next weekend. 

Belmont, the 82-acre property that Howard County recently purchased from Howard Community College, is hosting an open house from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 13. 

Iron industry magnate Caleb Dorsey developed the estate, which sits at the end of Belmont Woods Road, in 1738 as a wedding present for his son. Since then, it has changed hands several times, with owners ranging from families to the Smithsonian and the American Chemical Society.

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Howard County assumed the deed for the property in June after Howard Community College sold it for financial reasons.

Howard County plans to spend $500,000 to $600,000 updating the property, according to The Baltimore Sunbefore it opens as a public park in summer/fall 2013.

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“This is an effort to allow the community to view the property and the first floor of the manor house before it goes under renovations,” said Mary Ellen Baker, general manager of Belmont Manor and Historic Park, of the Oct. 13 open house.

Baker said county officials are also in the process of writing a request for proposals from environmental organizations interested in running educational programs at Belmont once it opens.

Related stories:

  • County Executive Proposes Selling Dobbin House
  • Belmont to Become Nature Park
  • Elkridge Pleased by Belmont Decision
  • County Anticipates Next Steps on Acquiring Belmont Estate

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