Tulip Hill
Tulip Hill is an eighteenth-century Georgian plantation house and National Historic Landmark overlooking the West River in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Tulip Hill is a historic plantation house near Galesville in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is recognized primarily as an architectural and historic property rather than as a commercial brand. The house occupies a ridge above the West River, with the land descending toward the water through surviving terraces and garden grounds. Its setting retains elements of the historic approach, including a tree-lined entrance drive, river-facing terraces, and approximately 54.5 acres of associated land described in the National Historic Landmark documentation. The property began as land patented to Richard Talbot in 1659 under the name Poplar Knowl. Samuel Galloway acquired the tract in 1755 and renamed it Tulip Hill, reportedly after a grove of tulip poplar trees. The principal portion of the house was constructed in 1755 and 1756 under the supervision of the builder John Devour. The design is an unusually refined interpretation of early Georgian architecture, with a two-story brick central block, a high double-hipped or gambrel roof, Flemish-bond brickwork, a pediment with a circular window, and prominent multi-flue chimneys. The bricks were reportedly manufactured on the site. Tulip Hill was enlarged between 1787 and 1790 by Samuel Galloway's son, John. The additions created the property's distinctive five-part composition: a central block joined to two lower end pavilions by one-story hyphens. The same campaign added or formalized the front portico and expanded the house's service and administrative functions. The west wing served kitchen and service purposes, while the east wing housed plantation offices. The interior includes a broad offset entrance hall, a double arch, paneled drawing rooms, a dining room, a corner cupboard, and a finely carved curved walnut staircase. Historic paneling, fireplace surrounds, hardware, doors, and other interior elements remain important parts of the house's significance. The architectural character of Tulip Hill reflects Samuel Galloway's connections with Philadelphia-area families and houses, particularly Stenton and Cliveden. The property has been associated with visits by George Washington, who reportedly dined and supped there twice in 1771. Its history also reflects the social and economic structure of colonial Maryland, including plantation administration and enslaved labor, although the available reference material does not provide a complete account of the people held in bondage at the site. Ownership remained with the Galloway family until 1866. The property subsequently passed through the Maxcy and Hughes families before being sold in 1886 to Henry M. Murray. After the Murrays, ownership passed to A. du Pont Parker and later to Henry H. and Mrs. Flather of Washington, D.C. The Flathers undertook substantial work to restore the house and grounds. Tulip Hill was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 in recognition of its architectural importance. It has remained privately owned rather than operating as a conventional museum, hotel, or consumer-facing product brand. The property was marketed for sale in 2010 and sold at auction in 2011, but the current owner is not identified in the supplied sources.
History
Tulip Hill stands on land first patented to Richard Talbot in 1659 as Poplar Knowl. Samuel Galloway purchased the tract in 1755 and gave it the name Tulip Hill, apparently referring to the area's tulip poplar grove. Construction of the main house followed in 1755–1756, with John Devour supervising the work. The building was conceived as a substantial Georgian residence placed on an elevated ridge overlooking the West River. The use of locally made brick, the carefully proportioned central block, and the combination of formal architecture with a descending river landscape established the property's enduring character. The original house consisted principally of a two-story central block with a high double-hipped roof, a full basement, dormers on the river-facing roof, and large brick chimneys. Its north elevation combines a central pediment and circular window with a modest columned entrance porch. The interior plan is notable for an off-center hall, a rear stair hall, a double arch without a central supporting post, paneled drawing rooms, and an exceptionally fine curved walnut staircase. Fireplaces were finished with materials including Dutch tile or marble, and many interior fittings and architectural details survived later changes. After Samuel Galloway's death in 1786, the property passed to his son John. Between 1787 and 1790, John expanded the house into the five-part composition visible today. Two end pavilions were connected to the main block by low hyphens, and the front entrance treatment was enhanced. The west wing accommodated the kitchen and service rooms, while the east wing contained plantation offices. Earlier service facilities had been located in outbuildings; only limited evidence, including foundations associated with an ice house, remains of some of these structures. The expansion linked Tulip Hill to the architectural world of Philadelphia, where the Galloway family had connections with the Chews of Cliveden and the Logans of Stenton. Similarities to Stenton are often noted in discussions of the design. Tulip Hill also formed part of the social world of colonial Maryland. George Washington is reported to have dined and supped at the house twice in 1771. A family tradition holds that one of the young Galloway children rode a horse up the central staircase. The plantation context is essential to understanding the property, although the supplied reference material does not provide a full inventory or narrative of enslaved people who lived and worked there. The house stayed in Galloway hands until 1866. After John Galloway's death, it passed to his daughter Mary Galloway Maxcy and then to her daughter, Ann Sarah Hughes. Hughes sold the property in 1886 to Henry M. Murray. Murray's wife, Mary H. Morris Murray, was descended from the original builder's family. The Murrays occupied Tulip Hill for roughly three decades before selling it to A. du Pont Parker of Denver. The property later passed to Henry H. and Mrs. Flather of Washington, D.C. The Flathers devoted considerable effort and expenditure to restoring the house and landscape. Tulip Hill was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 because of the quality and rarity of its architecture. The house reportedly underwent little alteration during the nineteenth century and has not been subjected to a comprehensive modern reconstruction. Its surviving drive, gardens, terraces, mature trees, and river approach contribute to its significance. The property was offered for sale in 2010 and sold at auction in 2011. It continues to be described as privately owned, and the supplied sources do not identify its current owner or indicate that it operates as a public museum or commercial hospitality venue.
- 2011
Auction sale
[1]The privately owned property was sold at auction through Concierge Auctions and Long & Foster Real Estate for a reported $2.5 million.
- 1970
Designated a National Historic Landmark
[1]Tulip Hill received National Historic Landmark recognition for its architectural importance.
- 1886
Murray family purchases Tulip Hill
[1]Ann Sarah Hughes sold the house to Henry M. Murray.
- 1866
Galloway family ownership ends
[1]The property left the Galloway family after more than a century of family ownership.
- 1790
Five-part expansion completed
[1]John Galloway's enlargement campaign added the end pavilions, connecting hyphens, and associated entrance improvements.
- 1786
Property inherited by John Galloway
[1]Following Samuel Galloway's death, Tulip Hill passed to his son John.
- 1771
Reported visits by George Washington
[1]George Washington reportedly dined and supped at Tulip Hill on two occasions.
- 1756
Main Georgian house completed
[1]The central portion of the brick Georgian mansion was completed under John Devour's supervision.
- 1755
Samuel Galloway acquires the property
[1]Samuel Galloway purchased Poplar Knowl, renamed it Tulip Hill, and began construction of the principal residence.
- 1659
Land patented as Poplar Knowl
[1]Richard Talbot received the original patent for the land on which Tulip Hill stands.
Products and positioning
A privately owned historic property valued for its early Georgian architecture, landscape setting, Colonial Maryland associations, and preservation significance.
Sources1 sources
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