A week rarely goes by that Walter Anderson doesn't see a curious passer-by peeking into the windows of the stately Dumbarton House, home of the Baltimore Actors' Theatre Conservatory. Because it's a school, he usually can't throw open the doors and welcome them in.
Now, he's about to get the opportunity to invite the whole world in for a visit.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, the house, dressed in festive Victorian-style finery, will be open 1-4 p.m. to visitors for tours, refreshments and concerts by the conservatory's students. Admission to the Victorian Christmas open house is free.
"I've always thought this house should be decorated for the holidays," said Anderson, the conservatory's executive director.
The Greek Revival house has been headquarters for the theater group since 1991. Anderson said he has hoped for a long time to find a way to open the doors of the elegant old house to the community. He said an art show was held in the house in the 1990s but since then the house has had no public events.
The brick two-and-a-half story house, built in the mid-19th century, according to a Maryland State Archives report, sits on part of a plantation that belonged to Johns Hopkins until his death in 1834. The plantation was called Dumbarton when Hopkins lived there. The last owners, Charlotte Reiman and David Gregg McIntosh Jr., sold most of the surrounding land for construction of the Rodgers Forge neighborhood. The house and remaining land was sold to the Baltimore County Board of Education who used it for a time as school board headquarters. Neighborhood protests saved the house when plans to raze the building for school construction were announced.
For the past 23 years, its spaces have served the needs of the theater company and its 30 full-time arts and college preparatory students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.
Still, Anderson was convinced the house's architecture, its marble mantels, the irreplaceable Georgia heart of pine floors and fine woodwork, carefully restored and preserved by Anderson and the school's supporters, needed a bigger audience. What better way for visitors to appreciate the carving done by Italian artisans whose next assignment was the National Cathedral or the ceiling medallions embellished with the Scottish thistle?
This summer, during a meeting with Stu Sirota, then president of the Rodgers Forge Community Association, Anderson mentioned his interest in a holiday open house.
Sirota presented Anderson's idea at a community board meeting and Janice Moore, who has lived across the street since 1985, got the project underway. She called Anderson the next day.
"I just have a passion for Rodgers Forge," said Moore, the association's treasurer. "My heart is here."
Women from the neighborhood, led by Jean Duvall, have planned decorations for two trees, three mantels, five rooms, the entrance and outside, Moore said. "She is just doing an incredible job," Moore said about Duvall's efforts.
A good bit of research has gone into the project to come up with authentic Victorian decorations, Moore said. Fans made of wallpaper, crocheted snowflakes, embellished pinecones are some of the ornaments they've come up with. There will be candles on the trees — battery-operated candles.
Anderson is delighted to see his dream for the house come true. "They ladies have really taken this on," he said.
"It's coming together," said Moore.
The first bit of decorating got underway the day after Thanksgiving — the rest was due to be completed just before the open house. A tree in the glass-enclosed summer porch was hung with handmade angels, popcorn balls and touches of silver. A tiny pink tree in the formal parlor is decorated with handmade cones people from the Victorian-era would fill with candies.
In the other parlor, which once served as the farm office, has a country theme and with its dollhouse and little hobby horses is designed for children, according to Duvall. "They can go in there and feel it's really Christmas," she said.
Duvall pointed out the doll house, an antique, and a working kaleidoscope she obtained from an attic in Jarrettsville. A painting over the mantel of a snowy country scene by Kristen Helberg, a Rodgers Forge naive-style artist.
"The goal is to try to make it as much of a Victorian-era atmosphere as possible on a very very limited budget," Duvall said. She said their efforts have been helped by local merchants, the Turnover Shop in Hampden, Radebaugh Florist in Towson and Valley View Farms in Cockeysville. "Any success we have at all will be due to their cooperation," Duvall said. "They have been marvelous."
About a dozen neighbors have made ornaments and many more have volunteered to bake cookies and serve as hosts during the open house, Duvall said. Amanda Kastner has been organizing Victorian-era goodies, she added.
Once everything is finished, there will be decorations in the center hall, garlands on the banister and decorations in the library. A second tall tree, this one with a gold-colored scheme will be in the front parlor. Each room will have its own theme. Duvall, who would like to see grand decorations befitting such a mansion, said they hope to build on their designs for next year.
Children who are students at the conservatory will sing in the library and play English bells in the hall.
Cookies, wassail punch and other goodies will be served in the basement, Moore said. There's a long room with enough space for socializing there. Anderson said food and drink isn't allowed upstairs. The soft pine floors are easily damaged but boards can't be replaced. "You can't get it anymore," he said.
The project has taken a little fundraising, too — and it will also serve as a fundraiser for the historic landmark. The Rodgers Forge Community Association offered $500 and a Panera night raised a little more. Visitors will have an opportunity to buy a first-edition ornament bearing an etching of Dumbarton House. The ornament, embellished with a historic etching of the house, is made of iridescent blown glass, and will sell for $15.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to take a chance on a holiday spirits basket from Pinehurst Wine Shoppe.
Moore said this year's plans are simple — but if the event is a successful one — look for something even grander next year. "I hope we make (Anderson) proud," she said.
Dumbarton House is located at 300 Dumbarton Road. Visitors are asked to wear low-heeled, soft-soled soles to protect the old, soft floors. No stilettos, please.