Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Receives Grant For Rodgers Tavern Project in Perryville

From the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway:

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway will receive a $125,000 grant from the State of Maryland to assist with the final phase of the Rodgers Tavern facility project in Perryville.

The funding bill was sponsored during the 2010 General Assembly session by Delegate David D. Rudolph (District 34B), Delegate Mary-Dulany James (District 34A) and Delegate B. Daniel Riley (District 34A).

For the past five years, Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, in partnership with the Town of Perryville, has been working to restore the historic Rodgers Tavern that will serve as a modern-day anchor for downtown Perryville revitalization and provide public access to the water and water access to the town.

The funding from the State is for the third and final phase of the project, which includes connecting the tavern to municipal sewerage, interior and exterior stone re-pointing, inside plastering, exterior and interior painting, replacement or repair of 25 rotted windows, and repair or replacement of the front porch, deck and stairs.

The Rodgers Tavern, built in 1695, played a vital role in the early history of the United States, with its location along the only North-South transportation corridor of the time. Col. John Rodgers owned the tavern, and it was frequented by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Because of its location, the tavern also played a role during the War of 1812 and the Civil War before falling into disrepair.

“We are so grateful to Del. Rudolph, Del. James and Del. Riley for their sponsorship of this project,” said Mary Ann Lisanti, executive director of Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway. “The renovated Rodgers Tavern will provide significant economic impact to Perryville in addition to serving as an interpretative site for the heritage area relating to Bay travel, the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War and more.”

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stimulate local economic activity by developing a linkage to natural, historic and cultural resources through land and water recreational trails. To date, 22 miles of continuous public recreation trails connecting Harford and Cecil counties have been constructed. The organization’s goal is 40 miles of trails.