Hancock’s Resolution Gives Guests The Closest Tool To Time-Travel

When Hancock’s Resolution opens for its nearly seven-month-long season on April 8, the Pasadena treasure will again show visitors how past generations adapted to their environment, utilized natural resources and farmed for a living.

“Today, we struggle to find crops that will grow in our Pasadena soil and that the local deer population won’t view as their own pantry,” said Jim Morrison, president of the Friends of Hancock’s Resolution. “Foxes build dens that can undermine fields and buildings. Our current struggles with the environment help illustrate the importance of adapting to the environment.”

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, Hancock’s Resolution is part of the Anne Arundel County park system. An award-winning site, Hancock’s includes the Cook farmhouse and garden, which sit on 26 acres of protected area.

Stephen Hancock built the main stone house in 1785 and his descendants continued to live there until the 1960s. It’s a great example of Federal period interior design. The milk house sits adjacent to the main house and it’s where dairy products were stored during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The gardens, well and store are close by. A bit further away are the beehives, farm field, barn site, Cook house and graveyard. On the working 18th and 19th century middling plantation, life was quite a bit different than it is today, and visitors young and old can experience it on any given Sunday between April and October.

“History buffs enjoy learning about our pristine stone house that was built circa 1785 on a middling plantation and remaining outbuildings,” said Diane Feeney, secretary for the board of directors for the Friends of Hancock’s Resolution. “Some enjoy stories of the land owners who fought with George Washington’s army in the Revolutionary War or helped defend Baltimore and northern Anne Arundel County during the War of 1812. In the graveyard rest family members, slaves, neighbors and watermen whose lives tell about life long ago.”

Schools, homeschoolers and scout groups are encouraged to visit or work on the farm. Already, FOHR has an agreement with Fort Smallwood Elementary and Chesapeake High School.

“Children enjoy hauling water from the well, helping our gardener and sometimes taking what they harvested home,” Feeney said. “They can explore the root cellar, ring the bell to call in farm workers for lunch, or roll a hoop. Many Sundays, one of our volunteers engages children with the use of a drop spindle and spinning wheel. Just observing, touching raw wool and seeing all the work that goes into making cloth that will be turned into clothing is a lesson.”

For parents who are interested in getting their children away from screens for a day, upcoming events include the spring farm festival on April 22, which has folk music and sheep shearing; spring plowing and harrowing on May 6 with fields prepared just as they were back in the day; and children’s programming with water hauling, weaving, corn grinding and other tasks.

“Everyone worked and everyone’s contribution had value,” Morrison said. “Wood needed to be chopped for heat and cooking. Chickens and other livestock needed to be fed every day. Food crops needed to be planted, watered, weeded, harvested and safely stored for winter.”

FOHR is working to get funding for a barn and visitors center. Last year, the state legislature passed a $250,000 bond bill, and this year, a proposal is in for another $250,000. These funds, if approved, are to be matched by Anne Arundel County. If all goes to plan, construction could start by 2019.

In the meantime, there is plenty to see at Hancock’s Resolution. “Visitors gain a deeper appreciation about all that went into surviving on a farm in the 18th and 19th centuries,” Morrison said.

Upcoming Events At Hancock’s Resolution

April 22: Spring Farm Festival. Folk musicians will play on the porch. Stay for crafts and beekeeping.

May 6: Spring plowing and harrowing with horse and mule team. The field is plowed just as Harry Hancock and generations of Hancocks prepared the fields for planting.

May 20: Children will be asked to try some farm chores such as corn grinding, fence mending, gardening, water hauling, weaving, laundry, etc.

July 1: Celebrating Independence Day. Musket firing and an interactive program exploring the American flag, national symbols and music.

July 8: Ask-a-Master Gardener Clinic. Learn about the Master Gardener program or to learn about weeds and plants in your own yard (bring them in a plastic bag).

August 19: War of 1812 Remembrance (entrance fee is charged for this event since re-enactors are hired). Learn about the burning of the Lion of Baltimore in Bodkin Creek three weeks before the Battle of Baltimore. There will be a militia muster with canon, and sea chanties sung on the porch by The Ship’s Company.

September 9: Forgotten Farm Tasks. Visitors can experience many farm chores such as butter churning, crosscut sawing, spinning, basket making, and beekeeping.

October 14: Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Day. Take part in apple bobbing, scarecrow making and crafts. A farm dinner can be purchased.

October 28: Animal Appreciation Day and Pet Parade. The year ends with a fun event for humans and pets. Dress your pet and maybe yourself in a costume. Maybe you’ll go home with a prize. There are no history lessons on this day, just smiles and laughter.