From Harford County Government:
The community of Joppa and Joppatowne are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the community next month. In 1712 England’s Queen Anne granted a charter establishing the colonial town of Joppa.
The community was once a deep water port a mile wide and served ships from all over the world. Joppa also was once the county seat of Baltimore County.
The once thriving colonial community boasted a church, court house and jail. There was even horse racing in the town.
Additionally many of the nation’s founding fathers are thought to have traveled through and spent time in Joppa, while traveling between Washington and Philadelphia.
Colonial Joppa died out when siltation made the Gunpowder River impassable and yellow fever plagued the citizenry. The foundations of many buildings from the 1700’s remain and are covered with soil to protect them from environmental hazards such as acid rain. Today the majority of the Joppa National Historic Site is located on land owned by Copley Parish, Gunpowder Hundred, Church of the Resurrection. The church is located at the corner of Bridge and Anchor Drives on Rumsey Island in Joppatowne.
The Rumsey Mansion, built in the 1720’s, is a Maryland Historical Site. The dwelling is the sole remaining structure which exits from colonial times. The home is currently privately owned.
In recognition of the 300 anniversary of the founding of the Joppa community, a Rumsey Island Home and Garden Tour will be held Saturday, September 8, 2012 with a rain date of Saturday, September 15, 2012. Tour guides in colonial period costumes will take visitors through the Joppa National Historic Site and offer a look into what life was like in the community of Joppa 300 years ago. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour of select homes in the waterfront community and a boat will transport them to the Rumsey Mansion which will be open to the public.
Tickets to the Rumsey Island Home and Garden Tour are $20 and may be purchased online at rumseyislandhg.org or at the door.
The schedule of events is as follows:
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Houses open for tours
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tea Room service (additional charge)
6:00 p.m. Evensong Service in the style of the 1700’s
For further information regarding the upcoming 300 anniversary recognition of the founding of Joppa and Joppatowne, contact Karen W. Hawley, Chairperson, Rumsey Island Home and Garden Tour at 410-852-0433 or by email at kwhawley@aol.com.
Outstanding event, come on down and help us celebrate our 300 years.