Point Farm

Colonial Revival

The Colonial Revival movement is the most popular, long-lasting, and widespread expression of identity in American arts and culture. The peak of popularity was between 1880 and 1940, and Mr. Patterson embraced the style when he decided to build a home on his farm in Southern Maryland. The home designed for him by Gertrude Sawyer is a striking example of the Colonial Revival, with beautiful architectural details such as the formal entry with pillars and decorative glass side lights and fanlight.  The dormers give depth to the façade and the side porch is a refreshing retreat on a hot day.  The interior is graceful with classic details in the door trims and moldings. Furnished with colonial and classic French furniture, the home is comfortable and welcoming.  The majority of the furniture and accessories were purchased for the home in the 1930s.

Gertrude Sawyer

Gertrude Sawyer wanted to become an architect at an early age and persisted in her interest even when prevented from studying architecture as a young woman. She later earned a Master’s degree in architecture through the Cambridge School of Architecture at Smith College.  She designed her first house in 1922, which she built and sold within a year.  In 1923 Gertrude moved to Washington, D. C. to work in the office of a well known architect, Horace Peaslee. In 1932, Jefferson Patterson hired her to design the residence and farm buildings for Point Farm which became a major project, producing 26 buildings from an elegant home to a chicken house. Gertrude Sawyer was recognized as a pioneering female architect. She remained active professionally until 1969, when she closed her practice and retired.

Rose Greely and the Garden Restoration Project

Daughter of the arctic explorer General Adolphus W. Greely, Rose Greely grew up with an adventurous spirit. She traveled widely and studied everything from art to agriculture. A graduate of the Cambridge School, Rose opened her own landscape architecture firm in 1925 and became one of the first female landscape architects in Washington, D. C.  Rose Greely designed over 500 landscapes, as well as houses and monuments.  She emphasized the relationship between buildings and the surrounding landscape, placing an emphasis on the integration of native trees and plants.  The beautiful gardens and park-like landscape of Point Farm illustrate her philosophy.  Today, a volunteer group works to restore and maintain the gardens.

Contact Betty Seifert, Curator, 410-586-8578, bseifert@mdp.state.md.us, or Jean Campbell, Volunteer Coordinator, 410-586-8536, jcampbell@mdp.state.md.us to join the Garden Restoration Project.