Benson-Hammond House

In 1824, Thomas Benson expanded his land holdings. He added 273 acres to his property “Addition to Timber Ridge”. Shortly after, he built a two-story brick house. This house became the heart of what we now know as the Benson-Hammond House. The original structure had four rooms and a central hallway. It was a typical farmhouse of that era. The Benson-Hammond House stands as a testament to the changing landscape of Anne Arundel County. It’s a rare survivor of a time when the area was primarily farmland. Joseph Benson inherited the property and expanded the Benson-Hammond House. He added a half story and an extra bay of rooms to accommodate his growing family of twelve children. Joseph called his expanded farm “Cedar Farm”. He envisioned a prosperous future. Sadly, things didn’t go as planned. Joseph died in 1882 deeply in debt. His wife was forced to sell Cedar Farm. The Hammond brothers, Thomas and Rezin, bought the property in 1887. Rezin Hammond lived at Cedar Farm with his family. He transitioned the farm into a “truck farm”, supplying produce to local and Baltimore markets. Rezin employed Polish immigrants as pickers. He paid them with special metal tokens. These “picker’s checks” were a unique system. Each farm had its own tokens. The shape represented the type of crop. The number indicated the quantity picked. Workers could exchange these tokens for cash or use them as currency in local stores. The Benson-Hammond House narrowly escaped demolition in 1947. The land was acquired for Friendship Airport, now known as BWI Airport. The house, though deteriorated, was spared. The Anne Arundel County Historical Society stepped in to save the Benson-Hammond House. They made an agreement with the Maryland Aviation Administration to restore it. In 1982, the Benson-Hammond House opened its doors to the public as a museum. It now showcases antique furniture and textiles. It offers a glimpse into Victorian-era life. The third floor is a museum of 19th-century farm life. It features rotating exhibits and a vast collection of antique dolls. The Benson-Hammond House remains a tangible piece of history. It tells a story of family legacy, changing times, and the enduring spirit of a community.