Herring Run Parks was intended to be a wilderness park, enjoyed for its dramatic natural beauty. However, the lands comprising the park have been occupied for thousands of years by Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans. The oldest colonial archaeological site in Baltimore City and County is located inside the park, as are numerous Native American sites, an 18th- and 19th- century farm and manor house, Quaker-run plantations and mills, a 19th-century tavern and hotel, the homes of enslaved and free African Americans, the first orphanage in Baltimore City, and a variety of other diverse archaeological resources. These sites contain stories relevant to the 14 modern communities surrounding the park today. The traces of the past are still visible on the park landscape, in the form of mill races, the spring at the park's Hall Spring entrance, old wagon roads, quarries, and the high bluffs where Native Americans lived thousands of years ago.
Overview of Herring Run History
In lieu of gathering in person for our Annual Black Friday Hike, we created this video that tells only some of the history of Herring Run Park and its river valley. We hope you enjoy it!
Archaeology in Herring Run Park
In 2014, FHRP partnered with the Herring Run Archeology Project to explore the park’s rich history through archaeological discovery. The Herring Run Archeology Project has been exploring and conducting research at the Eutaw Manor Site,with one excavation and four field seasons from 2014 – 2018. Once the heart of the Eutaw Farm Plantation during the 18thand 19th centuries, enslaved African Americans lived and worked there. For example, we learned that Emeline Jones was born a slave on the Eutaw estate in the 1830s and was emancipated by 1860. Jones was a surpassingly fine chef, and in the 1870s, she joined forces with John Chamberlin, a former Mississippi riverboat gambler who ran a popular restaurant in Washington, DC, and other grand establishments. Jones ran all the kitchens; when she died, Chamberlin credited her cooking as the driving force of his success.
In February 2019, two historic markers summarizing the research were installed in the Park. One tells the story of William Smith, first owner of Eutaw Farm and a Second Continental Congress member. Jeremiah and Venus Tilghman, two enslaved persons that lived on Eutaw Farm, are highlighted on the marker. The Eutaw Manor’s archeological dig is also featured on the marker. The second historical marker recounts the 1814 Battle of Baltimore where British troops occupied Furley Hall, a historic estate located just north of Herring Run Parks.
In February 2019, two historic markers summarizing the research were installed in the Park. One tells the story of William Smith, first owner of Eutaw Farm and a Second Continental Congress member. Jeremiah and Venus Tilghman, two enslaved persons that lived on Eutaw Farm, are highlighted on the marker. The Eutaw Manor’s archeological dig is also featured on the marker. The second historical marker recounts the 1814 Battle of Baltimore where British troops occupied Furley Hall, a historic estate located just north of Herring Run Parks.
To see the location of the Eutaw Farm history panel, click on the link below.
|
To see the location of the Furley Hall history panel, click on the link below.
|
