Collection 05 · 05-01

The History of Marshall Hall (05-01)

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Watercolor painting of the historic Marshall Hall manor house in 1905, showing its two-story white exterior, long columned porch, rocking chairs, trees, and surrounding grounds along the Potomac River in southern Maryland.

Historical narrative

Marshall Hall takes its name from the historic Marshall family estate that once stood along the Potomac River in southern Maryland. The property grew from land first patented by William Marshall in 1650 and later acquired and expanded by his grandson, Thomas Marshall. The site on which the manor house was built was acquired in 1727 and was known as “The Mistake,” reportedly because of a surveying error. During the early nineteenth century, the Marshall family renamed the estate Marshall Hall, inspired in part by the popularity of Sir Walter Scott's romantic novels and their stories of feudal life. Over time, Marshall Hall became the name of the surrounding community, steamboat landing, and later the famous amusement park that attracted visitors from Washington, DC. This artwork portrays the historic manor house as it appeared in 1905.

Watercolor

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Preservation Art Studio

The History of Marshall Hall (05-01)