The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance welcomes you to the
Restore Handsell Project
It is time now for the 2023-2024 annual Membership Renewal and Capital Campaign Support! Please join us!
The NHPA was formed in 2005 to purchase and restore one of Dorchester County, Maryland’s most interesting and intriguing historic structures, an old ivy-covered brick building located in the middle of what is known as “the Indiantown”. After just a little bit of research, we knew we were on to something BIG. As the layers of the story unfolded, through research in archives, deeds, Wills and historic family letters, a better yet not fully complete story emerged of Native people, licensed Indian traders, English settlers, British attacks, merchant activity and structural devastation. Much of the Handsell story is STILL a mystery, but it seems each day brings a little more light to this amazing, yet previously unknown saga of the Steele family’s mark on the Eastern Shore.
Please listen to this wonderful video on the Handsell site thanks to Ryan Anthony and Dave Whelan of the Talbot Spy, released June 2024.
There is much here to learn about and see. So please stay awhile, explore our pages and get to know us! Listen to the latest WHCP Radio interview about Handsell taped October 2023: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZnVXi
The “old brick house” at Chicone, known as Handsell, located in the Indiantown north of Vienna, Dorchester County, Maryland, was purchased by the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance with a Preservation Easement from the Maryland Historic Trust. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, the site will be used to interpret the Native People’s contact period with the English, the enslaved and later African American story and the life of all those who lived at Handsell.
Handsell in October 2021
NEWS ABOUT HANDSELL:
Planning Ahead: 2024 launched our fundraising activity in earnest for the building of the Three Cultures Center (TCC) at Handsell. This barn-like, completely ADA accessible building will contain a multi-purpose space for programming and events, with public bathroom facilities, office and much-needed storage. The fundraising goal is $600,000. As of November 2024, NHPA has been awarded the following grants/donations ($3000 and above listed) toward this project:
National Park Service Chesapeake Gateway Network (grant) $150,000
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (grant) $47,500
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Emergency Grant (Trippe Rooms) $25,000
France-Merrick Foundation (grant) $50,000
Mid-Shore Community Fund – George B. Todd Fund (grant) $7,500
Handsell Soiree (fundraiser) $6200
NHPA 2023-24 Capital Campaign dedicated to the TCC (donations to date) $20,000
MHGP (fundraiser) $14,700
Elks Lodge #223 $3000
Jennifer Stanley $5000
Dr. Thomas Pinder $5000
Mr. Alton Scavo $5000
Mr and Mrs. Eric Sanner $5000
Trippe Family Descendants $28,300
Total to Date – #372,200
Plus several private donors who will be listed in the Three Cultures Center when complete
Donate NOW to the Three Cultures Center Fund
Enslaved Community Database – a comprehensive list of enslaved persons who are connected with the Rider-Billings-Steele families of Dorchester and 19th century owners of Handsell plantation. Download available HERE. (Last updated 1-29-2024)
We are now offering Guide by Cell Audio Tours of the Handsell Historic Site to enhance the visitor’s experience. You may also dial this number from your cell phone from anywhere to learn more about this important National Register of Historic Places listed site.
CALL 410-858-4173 for an Audio Tour of Handsell
Also in 2018, Handsell was added to Geochache!!
Past ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS:
The Board of the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance dedicates our mission to the loving memory of Shirley Selena Jackson, NHPA President 2019-December 21, 2022. We mourn her loss and will be guided by her dedication and spirit, always.
**Trustee Margaret Ingersoll was a recipient of the Harrison Volunteer Award 2021. The Harrison Volunteer Award has been presented by Preservation Maryland semi-annually since 1985 and is the organization’s oldest award. This award goes to individuals or organizations to recognize outstanding volunteer contributions to historic preservation in Maryland.
**Trustee Shirley S. Jackson was inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2020.
**October 2019 NHPA is recognized for the third time by the Heart of Chesapeake Heritage Areas for “Organizational Excellence in Historic Preservation”.
**New Page – Handsell Before and After Photographs
A recent visitor to Handsell commented, ” The history of Handsell was very compelling. It survived all these years, standing proud and beautiful. It sat there stoically all these years, just waiting to be saved. It is the most interesting site we visited in Dorchester County today.” —Jeni Jasuta, Philadelphia, PA
HANDSELL HOURS: Grounds are open to the public 7 days a week during daylight hours with Wayside Exhibits, Longhouse Living History Exhibit and Exterior Viewing of the Handsell House. Special Group Tours include interior of house by appointment, contact restorehandsell@gmail.com
Handsell House is open for special events only: Chicone Village Day and the Nanticoke River Jamboree and private group tours by prior request and appointment.
The Henry Steele family–do you know more than we do? Please contact us with historic information about the Steeles in Dorchester County at restorehandsell@gmail.com
Handsell History 101, the Short Version:
In 1665, Thomas Taylor was granted 700 acres of Land called “Handsell” along the Nanticoke River in the location of Chicone Indian town. In 1704 this land was made part of an Indian reservation by an Act of the Maryland Assembly. In 1769 the properties were returned to the ownership of the English families who had possessed the land grants.
Handsell is one of the last remaining 18th c. brick dwelling houses in Dorchester Co. Originally a grand, two story Georgian home, a major event, possibly a fire at Handsell gutted much of the interior and weakened the rear exterior wall, causing a partial collapse of the structure.
After a fire (cause undetermined), Handsell was rebuilt to the one and one-half story structure we see today. The interior woodwork is all original to the period of the rebuild in 1837 by John Shehee, a local farmer.
This brick dwelling house exhibits a unique façade with a protruding pavilion and Flemish bond brickwork, indicating the builder’s knowledge of contemporary design trends.
Handsell is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.
A more complete history of Handsell.
You can reach us anytime with questions by emailing: restorehandsell@gmail.com . Tax deductible donations by check should be made out to the NHPA in care of Miriam Zijp-Koedijk, 128 Regulator Drive North, Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Or scan this QR code to donate now.
I was directed to you website by a piece of literature regarding the “Voices of Indiantown”. The website is very good, but I didn’t know who “NHPA” was…the first sentence immediately started talking about NHPA. It may simply be a matter of spelling out Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance in the very first sentence, followed by the initials?? It wasn’t until much later in the text that it was spelled out. I fully support the project and I think the website contains valuable information to solicit support. My comment is strictly constructive, for others who may visit the site. Best of luck in all of your efforts.
Yes, how can I view a copy of the, “Voices of Indiantown” documentary? I live in Dallas, TX and am willing to buy a copy. Please advise.
Thanks,
Karen Shaw
When the DVDs are available for distribution, we will post the details on our website. Thank you for your interest, please check back later.
NHPA Board
Hi NHPA, I was waiting for the viewing of “Voices….” at the Caroline County Library and then at the last minut was unable to attend. So, I’m delighted to see that it is available to the public. I would like to order a copy. Please send an order form and I’ll fill it out ASAP. On the other hand I guess I could put a check in the mail and beat the rush.
I’m looking forward to seeing the product of your efforts.
Michael
Hello,
Does anyone have information or resources about the history of Petersburg, Maryland? If you know of any websites, please forward.
Thanks,
Karen
My wife and I attended my family (JACKSON) reunion at the Handsell Home. I would like to thank all of the volunteers responsible for their work in preserving this historic site for all to enjoy. My wife and I would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Midge Ingersoll, Mr. Myerhoff, and the other volunteers for their efforts, wonderful knowledge, and time. This was a remarkable event.
My grandfather and his parents were natives of Vienna in the 1800s. How do I get a list of the names of the slaves that were working at the Handsell House? I’m almost certain that Samuel Chase, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and signer of the Declaration of independence representing Maryland, was my ancestor, because my great grandfathers name is also Samuel Chase.
Kevin, I will email you later today. We do have some Chase information, hope it helps your search.
I am the author of The Treasure of dead Man’s Chest. In the story, I claimed to have found a 70 page Royal Admiralty Navy transcript at the House of Lords Reading Room in London, England in 1982. In the story, the antagonist is Joshua Smoot, and one of the sea captains is named Henry Steele. I got an expectant phone call from your researcher, Margaret Ingersol with questions about those two characters. I am so sorry to inform your group that those two characters do not exist other than in my novel. I did not travel to England, there is no 70 page transcript, and most of what is contained in The treasure of Dead Man’s Chest is fiction.
Sorry. Authors lie.
Might you consider putting the House’s address on your website?
Teri, thank you for your message. The address and directions to the site can be found by clicking “Directions’ on the Main Menu. 4837 Indiantown Rd., Vienna MD 21869. Come see us soon,
NHPA Trustee
Wonderful completed part of history…thank you to all volunteers!
Thanks for the encouragement! Volunteers need it especially now. Please come see us October 9 at the Nanticoke River Jamboree.
My name is Koketa Pinder my grandfather was Bernard Pinderand my great grandmother was Mahalia G Pinder I can’t find any information about her
Koketa,
Please send me your grandparents birth and death dates if your know them. Were they born in Maryland, and did they live here? I’ll try to help if I can.
Margaret
i AM A NATIVE OF DORCHESTER, i HAD HEARD OF HANDSELL BUT TODAY WAS MY FIRST DAY TO TOUR THE SITE. THE PRESENTATION REGARDING THE ENSLAVED PERSONS WAS VERY INSPIRING TO ME, a BIG THANK YOU TO TRUSTEE SHIRLEY JACKSON, WHO GREW UP IN THE INDIANTOWN AREA, FOR HER HARD WORK THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU ALL HAVE DONE TO PRESERVE THIS HISTORY OF THREE CULTURES.