Reed Creek Farm

Reed Creek House History and Design 

         Reed’s Creek main house offers many unique qualities even for this period – not to mention the Eastern Shore.  Reed’s Creek main house is a late Georgian style brick house reputedly begun in 1775.

        As you can tell by the picture, it is composed of two sections.  The larger of the two being a five bay structure laid in Flemish bond above a quarter round molded water table.  Look at the picture - - see how the bricks present themselves.  A “Flemish Bond” means that the bricks are laid full length, then turned to a 90 degree angle to present the short end of the brick.  So, now, when you look at the larger of the two structures of Reed Creek in the picture what do you see?  Long brick, short brick, long brick, short brick?  This is a Flemish bond!  Besides a fancy name, this is also a natural way to provide insulation.

        The main entrance retains its original architecture, only the pediment being a restoration. The picture also shows the original raised panel jambs that emphasizes the semi-circular fanlight and original door.  

        Between the first and second levels is a five-brick belt course. Take a look at the picture again – very easy to pick out! Just look for the ring around the mid section of the home…  Do you see how there a few bricks jut out from the rest?  This is the “belt course."  When rain runs down the side of the house, this belt deflects the water away from the house and serves as a historical gutter!

       To continue… beneath the overhang of the wide gable roof is a modillion cornice,  reputedly built in 1783. A massive chimney rises from each gable wall. The small section of the home, like the main portion, is laid in Flemish bond above a molded water table. It lacks a basement, belt course, and gauged brick arches, but the plain flat arches possess the refinement of a segmental arched soffit, similar to homes Annapolis built during the same period.

        Many of the windows retain original frames and sash, the latter having 12/12 panes on the first story and 12/8 on the second. New six panel doors occupy the two middle bays of the wing, one opening into the dining room, the other into the kitchen. The cornice has a series of ogee-shaped modillion or dentil blocks. On the gables, original bold barge boards continue along the roof and beneath a projecting brick course at the base of the chimneys.

        Important to note: Reed's Creek is significant as a pristine example of late colonial architecture. The altered window sash of the main block is the only significant change, and the interior retains its floor plan, woodwork, and details throughout. Particularly noteworthy is an overmantel painting depicting the mythological story of Rinaldo and Armida. It is dated and signed by William Clarke, 1792, and is hailed in Winterthur Portfolio 5 as an extremely rare case of classical nudity in 18th century American painting.