VIENNA, MD - The Handsell House in Vienna is working towards building a new historic center.
The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance [NHPA] wants to build a barn-like structure called the Three Cultures Center.
The center would be built behind the brick house known as the Handsell House. The acting president of NHPS, Midge Ingersoll, says while that old brick house has undergone renovations, it does not have AC or heat. So, it's not equipped to host events all year round. She says the Three Cultures Center would be used to host events and programs all year round.
Ingersoll says the property has a lot of history to it. To be exact, about three culturally significant events. Hence the name, Three Cultures Center.
Ingersoll says, "We're in the middle of one of the largest Native American villages that John Smith encountered in 1608 when he circumnavigated the Chesapeake... By 1665, this had been set aside as a reservation and it became a trading post. And the gentleman that owned the trading post, Thomas Taylor and he named it Handsell." She added, "And then of course the early colonial settlement came and the first gentleman who built this house owned 91 slaves by 1776."
Recently, the place was awarded $150,000 for the new center. It was by the Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network which is a national park service grant. They also received $47,500 from the Maryland Heritage Areas. Ingersoll says they have an ultimate goal of $600,000.
Click here for the NHPA's website.