Gordon Roberts House

The Gordon Roberts House dining room.

The Gordon Roberts House dining room.

Living history from the Victorian Era

An 1867 Victorian home built for Josiah Gordon, President of the C&O Canal. It is now a museum, education center, and special event venue.

Named for the two families that resided here, the Gordon-Roberts House was built in 1867 by Josiah Hance Gordon, an Allegany County State’s Attorney and a member of the House of Delegates.

During his term in the House, he was one of the legislators arrested at the special meeting held in Frederick on the question of Maryland’s secession from the Union. He, along with several other Maryland lawmakers, was accused of being a secessionist. At first he was incarcerated at Fort McHenry but later sent to Fort Warren. In 1869 Mr. Gordon became president of the C & O Canal.

This was also home to the W. Milnor Roberts II family. Besides being a successful businessman, Mr. Roberts was an accomplished violinist and had a workshop on the third floor of the house where he crafted violins. During the Roberts tenure “the home was the scene of many brilliant and festive occasions.”

Visitors are welcomed by costumed tour docents that escort them along three floors of the home illustrating the lifestyle of an upper-middle class family of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

The Gardens: Peace reigns supreme in the Gordon – Roberts House Garden, a step back in time when the pace was slow and one was encouraged to savor the wonders of nature. This lovely and intimate garden is the perfect setting for brides and grooms to recite their vows to each other in the presence of their family and friends.

Gordon Roberts House

The Gordon Roberts House dining room.

The Gordon Roberts House dining room.

An 1867 Victorian home built for Josiah Gordon, President of the C&O Canal. It is now a museum, education center, and special event venue.

Named for the two families that resided here, the Gordon-Roberts House was built in 1867 by Josiah Hance Gordon,  an Allegany County State’s Attorney and a member of the House of Delegates.

During his term in the House, he was one of the legislators arrested at the special meeting held in Frederick on the question of Maryland’s secession from the Union. He, along with several other Maryland lawmakers, was accused of being a secessionist. At first he was incarcerated at Fort McHenry but later sent to Fort Warren. In 1869 Mr. Gordon became president of the C & O Canal.

This was also home to the W. Milnor Roberts II family. Besides being a successful businessman, Mr. Roberts was an accomplished violinist and had a workshop on the third floor of the house where he crafted violins. During the Roberts tenure “the home was the scene of many brilliant and festive occasions.”

Visitors are welcomed by costumed tour docents that escort them along three floors of the home illustrating the lifestyle of an upper-middle class family of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

The Gardens: Peace reigns supreme in the Gordon – Roberts House Garden, a step back in time when the pace was slow and one was encouraged to savor the wonders of nature. This lovely and intimate garden is the perfect setting for brides and grooms to recite their vows to each other in the presence of their family and friends.