Preservation at Hampton National Historic Site
Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, an effort is underway to protect historic structures at Hampton National Historic Site.
Enslaved Workers' Quarters #2 (left) and Enslaved Workers' Quarters #3 (right), both built in ca. 1854 by the Ridgely family on Hampton plantation, part of which is preserved today as Hampton National Historic Site. These historic structures, which help to tell the story of the enslaved people who lived and labored at Hampton, will be repaired as part of a major historic preservation project. (Image Credit: Maximilian Franz Photography and National Park Service)
A "living history" performer standing within the Farm Landscape at Hampton National Historic Site in 2021. (Image Credit: Maximilian Franz Photography and National Park Service)
Introduction
The National Park Service is currently advancing plans for a major preservation project at Hampton National Historic Site, which preserves the core of a historic plantation in Towson, Maryland. Scheduled to begin construction at the end of 2024, the project will repair up to fourteen historic structures and improve accessibility within surrounding landscape areas.
Improving building conditions and accessibility will support the National Park Service's goal of enhancing visitor experience at Hampton National Historic Site. The work will facilitate the public's exploration and understanding of the complex history of Hampton and the people who lived and labored there, including those who were enslaved by the Ridgely family, the plantation's historic owners.
This interactive Story Map is intended to share information about the project and the history of Hampton National Historic Site with interested members of the public. It is organized into six sections: Hampton Site Overview, Project Overview, Project Details, Project Timeline, Interactive Project Map, and Additional Resources. Please continue to scroll below to proceed sequentially through each section. You may also navigate directly to a specific section by using the navigation menu at the top of the page.
After reviewing the information contained in this Story Map, you may submit a public comment about the proposed project on the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website, at the following link:
Hampton Site Overview
Project Overview
Rehabilitation of historic buildings is one of the park's highest priorities and is necessary to ensure preservation of these important historic assets for the benefit of the public. The preservation of these buildings and creation of new visitor experiences enables the public to explore and understand the complex story of Hampton and the people who lived and labored here.
The preservation work at Hampton National Historic Site is made possible by the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, P.L. 116-152, which established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address priority deferred maintenance projects on National Park Service and other federal lands. The National Park Service anticipates receiving a maximum of $1.33 billion per year for fiscal years 2021 through 2025. Funding of this magnitude provides the National Park Service with the opportunity to reduce its maintenance backlog, protect critical resources, expand recreational opportunities, and focus on long-term sustainable operations for the next century. Use of these funds on National Park Service projects will also support jobs and business activity in local economies across the nation.
Project Details
This section identifies the buildings and structures at Hampton National Historic Site that will be rehabilitated as part of this project and provides information about their history and the nature of the preservation work to be completed.
Project Timeline
This section provides a high-level overview of the anticipated timeline for the current preservation project at Hampton National Historic Site. This project, like most National Park Service construction projects, is organized into three distinct phases: the Predesign Phase, the Design Phase, and the Construction Phase.
Throughout the three phases, compliance activities ensure the project's adherence to laws and regulations protecting natural and cultural resources, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
As of 2024, the project is in the Design Phase. This section will be updated to document progress and milestones as the project continues to advance.
Expected Project Completion: December 2026
Interactive Project Map
This section includes an interactive map for exploring details about the current historic preservation project at Hampton National Historic Site. Use your mouse and the tools within the map frame below to navigate around the park by zooming and panning. Click on a building to view information about its history and improvements that will be implemented by the project. Click the button in the top-right corner of the map frame to expand the map to full screen.
Hampton National Historic Site, Interactive Project Map
Additional Resources
Follow the links listed below to learn more about Hampton National Historic Site, the Great American Outdoors Act, and the historic buildings, structures, and landscapes that will be rehabilitated by this project.
