Chestertown

We went a long way up the Chester River to historic Chestertown.  The town, besides being pre-Colonial, was once one of the richest towns in the area.  The British made it the customs port of the Chesapeake and all cargo ships had to call here to do business.  The town, like most old towns, has had a variety of lives over the centuries from farming to seafood.  It is now home to Washington College, the first university founded after the colonies gained independence.  It is also the only college that George Washington allowed to use his name and he was an early benefactor.  We were lucky enough to be anchored off their aquatics school and had front row seats to sailing and rowing teams plying their way up and down the river.  We enjoyed touring around town and the visitor's center was so helpful in guiding us in what to see and where.

The bridge leading across the river must have been a lucrative business.
This is the original bridge keepers "cottage".

This stunning church had a most unusual design, especially in it
spire's peak.

And the King of Kings crown atop the spire.

A rare piece of history.  A step up off the sidewalk for ladies
entering a carriage.

Some of the sidewalks were hand laid well over a hundred years ago.

This was a sea captain's house.  Successful shipping between
England and the Colonies was even more lucrative than collecting
bridge tolls it seems.

This long park was between two streets.  There were memorials to
veterans of all wars.

This was a beautiful fountain.  We were impressed that the cast iron
had been so well maintained that there was no sign of corrosion even
after 150 years.

One of the buildings on Washington College's main campus.  We
went in search of parts for the boat and walked through the scenic
campus.

The brick building is the home of the customs collector.  The smaller
ones were his office and other shops.  All located along the waterfront.

The bridge dividing the upper and lower sections of the river.  The
Chester River is quite deep many miles in form the bay making
it a well protected port for shipping.

Blue Moon at anchor.

One of the many rails-to-trails in Maryland.  We walked it for a few
miles then turned off to see what was down a lane.

The college has bought this old armory building to base it's
on-going construction efforts and provide space for the aquatics
campus.

Chicago may have it's shiny Bean but Chestertown has it's shiny Wave.

The old train depot and cars.  We thought it might be a museum but the
building now houses a medical practice.  I'm not sure what they do
with the train cars.

This old but well cared for house had a most unusual bay window arrangement.

The paper is still in business.

This house had so many interesting features from the colors to the details
of its trim work to the cornices over the windows.

Part of the decorative details in its trim.

Typical row of houses in the town's old section

Rowing teams were out practicing every day.

All girls team.

This turned out to be the residence of the College's president.  Many
of the historic houses and shops in town have been purchased and
are now maintained by the college.

This was the entrance to the garden of the house above.  How wonderfully
generous of the occupants to share their glorious grounds with passers-by.
It was one of my favorite places in town.

The gardens covered over an acre and had sun bed, shade beds
annuals, perennials . trees, bushes and quiet nooks to sit and take it all in.

You can see the house's back patio.  If I had had paper, I would have left
a heart felt thank you note.

Morning Glories make the world bright!

Zinnias, and more zinnias.

The garden's guardian.

This Skipjack is part of a school dedicated to preserving
the old skills in the next generation and those to come.

The Sultana is a replica of an old sailing ship.  It is part of the same
school.  You  can book trips for a day or longer.

This was the home of an organization of Black war veterans from the
Civil War.

David admiring one of the many monuments around town.

The college''s main building of its Aquatics Campus was a sight to
behold every night.