Paca House Garden

The William Paca House is one of the most impressively restored 18th century mansions in America. Paca, a lawyer who became one of four Declaration of Independence signers from Maryland as well as its Governor (1782-85,) built the house from 1963-65 and then sold it in 1780. The property, built to evoke the style of English country villas of the time, changed hands many times before becoming a popular 20th century hotel. But by 1965 it had deteriorated and was set for demolition when the group Historic Annapolis and other local preservations bought it and set about a meticulous restoration. Archaeologists uncovered portions of a brick wall, terraces, a stream bed and several other features of the original colonial-era garden.

In 1967, The Amateur Gardeners Club won the Founders Fund Award to install indigenous plant material, trees and shrubs popular in the 1700’s alongside other Maryland natives. This material was placed in best possible replication of Paca’s two-acre multi-terraced garden featuring lake and wilderness areas, two-story octagonal pavilion and Chinese Chippendale bridge over a brook.

The William Paca House and Garden was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and its fully restored garden continues to delight visitors who enjoy the spectacular parterres, heirloom roses, period-style topiary, manicured lawns and beds of native plants.