Unearthed secrets whisper from the soil. Welcome to Kings Reach Site. This isn’t just any site. It’s a window into Maryland’s 17th and early 18th centuries. Here on the grounds of the Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum stands the remains of Richard Smith Jr’s plantation homelot. Occupied from 1690 to 1711 Kings Reach tells a story of wealth and transition.
Imagine Richard Smith Jr a wealthy colonist with ties to the Calvert family. He inherited this property around 1689. He built his home here a modest earthfast dwelling. Despite his wealth Smith chose impermanence. His investment was in portable goods not bricks and mortar. Archaeologists unearthed a wealth of artifacts. They reveal a surprisingly lavish lifestyle.
Kings Reach wasn’t just a home. It was a microcosm of Maryland’s changing economy. The colony’s tobacco economy was in a deep depression. The shift to a slave-based labor force was underway. The sheer number and variety of artifacts at Kings Reach is remarkable. It suggests Smith invested heavily in portable household possessions.
In 1711 the tobacco economy started to recover. Smith abandoned Kings Reach. He built a larger brick house elsewhere on the plantation. Kings Reach’s artifacts offer unique insight. They reveal the material conditions of this transitional period. They provide details on the lives of both planters and the servants and slaves.
The archaeological digs at Kings Reach were extensive. They uncovered two earthfast buildings. The main dwelling was 30 by 20 feet with a hall parlor plan and a sleeping loft. It had cellars possibly for storage. A smaller building may have been a quarter for servants or slaves. The excavation revealed a fascinating assemblage. Over 66000 artifacts were recovered.
These include ceramics glass metal objects and more. The ceramics alone are stunning. Tin-glazed earthenwares Border wares and more. The glass artifacts are equally impressive. Wine bottles mirror fragments even beads. Metal finds included farm tools weapons and personal items. From simple tools to ornate buckles the collection reveals a blend of practicality and luxury.
Kings Reach Site is more than just ruins. It is a testament to a time of profound change. It is a place where history comes alive. The artifacts speak volumes. They detail the lives of those who lived here. The site reveals the dynamics of a colonial plantation. It offers glimpses into the lives of the wealthy and the enslaved. Take a moment to reflect on the stories hidden in the soil. Let the past enrich your present. The journey through history continues. Kings Reach awaits.