Hampton enslaved roughly 700 people over its history. These slave quarters are a surviving reminder of the horrific practice that was used to help the Ridgely's gain and retain their wealth for so many years.
The Hampton gardens historically showed off the Ridgely family's wealth and power. Today they provide a scenic backdrop as well as a reminder of the past.
Hampton shows the anomalies of life in a Border State. While Maryland would not secede from the Union, slavery was still part of the local economy and culture. The wealthy Ridgelys were every bit as aristocratic as any cotton planters, but many of their enslaved workforce worked in industry, and nearby Baltimore had a larger free black population than enslaved.
The Lower House is where the Hampton estate started, represents the many overseer's at the height of of slavery on the plantation, and is where Ridgely family's story ends. The house is open when staffing is available.
The orangery is the first structure you come to when walking towards the mansion. This reconstructed citrus fruit greenhouse today serves as public restrooms and a small conference room for special events.
The Ridgely family cemetery is the final resting place for many of the family members of the once illustrious family that used to own the Hampton plantation.
This slave quarters building was used throughout the times of slavery and tenant farming. The exhibits today represent the era of tenant farming that followed the American Civil War.
