Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Port Tobacco, Md.

1	Visitor Contact Station	Originally a garage and apartment building constructed during the 1950's, this structure was converted to a visitor contact station offering information, exhibits, and guided tours. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2	Thomas Stone House	Thomas Stone began building this two story brick structure in 1771 and used it as his country home until his death in 1787. In 1977, fire gutted the central block of the house. Restoration efforts are currently underway and eventually the interior of the house will be open to the public.
3	Horse Barn	This mid 1901 century oak-framed barn with clapboard siding is supported by an original stone foundation. A 1940's addition is attached to the southern end of the structure.
4	20th Century Horse Barn	Built during the 1940's. Notice how the exterior was constructed to match the 1901 century horse barn located beside it.
5	Tobacco Barn	A complete reconstruction of a mid 1901 century Maryland tobacco barn. Tobacco was hung on racks and cured 4 to 6 weeks before being packed and shipped for market.
6	Corn Crib	This mid 19th century corn crib was built to preserve corn by keeping it dry and away from rodents.
7	Barn	This oak-framed gabled roof barn was built during the mid 19th century. A shed was added to the barn during the 20th century. Currently the barn is used as a maintenance storage area.
8	Private Residence	Restricted area. Privately owned.
9	Hog Barn	Constructed during the 1950's. Hogs were grown at Habredeventure from before Thomas Stone's time up to the recent past.
10	Tenant House	A mid 1901 century structure with a 2001 century addition. Used as a tenant house and possibly as slave quarters.
11	Cemetery	Interred family members include Thomas Stone, his wife Margaret, and other family descendants. Servants and slaves are buried adjacent to the family plot in unmarked graves.

"HABRE DE VENTURE WAS THE HOME OF THOMAS STONE FROM 1770, WHEN HE PURCHASED THE PROPERTY, UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1787, BEST KNOWN AS A SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, STONE SERVED IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS FROM 1774 TO 1778, AND AGAIN IN 1784. HE WAS ALSO ACTIVE IN FORMING THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF MARYLAND, AND SERVED IN THE STATE SENATE FROM 1776 TO 1787.

AN IRREGULAR, FIVE-PART MARYLAND MANOR, HABRE DE VENTURE REFLECTS SEVERAL STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION, THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN. THE STORY-AND-A-HALF CENTRAL BLOCK WAS COVERED WITH A GAMBREL ROOF WITH DORMERS, AND CONTAINED HANDSOMELY PANELLED ROOMS. (THE WOODWORK IN THE LIVING ROOM WAS REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE AND INSTALLED IN THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART IN 1928). THE FRAME EAST WING SERVED AS STONE'S LAW OFFICE, WHILE THE FRAME-AND-BRICK WEST WING WAS THE KITCHEN AND SERVICE AREA. THE WINGS AND CONNECTING HYPHENS ARE BUILT AT ANGLES TO THE MAIN BLOCK, FORMING A PROTECTED FORECOURT.

THE EARLIEST REFERENCE TO HABRE DE VENTURE IS A DOCUMENT DATED 1685 WHICH SHOWS A LAND GRANT OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ACRES FROM "CHARLES, ABSOLUTE PROPRIETOR OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND" TO JOHN BAREFOOT. THE PLANTATION WAS PURCHASED BY STONE'S UNCLE DANIEL JENIFER IN 1768 WHO IN TURN SOLD THE 442 ACRES TO STONE IN 1770.

THE PROPERTY REMAINED IN THE STONE FAMILY UNTIL 1936, AND IN 1945 IT WAS PURCHASED BY MR. AND MRS. PETER VISCHER, WHO MODERNIZED THE HOUSE AND RESTORED THE GARDENS.

ON NEW YEARS DAY 1977, A FIRE GUTTED THE CENTRAL PORTION, AND SEVERLY DAMAGED THE WEST HYPHEN AND WING. IN 1980, HABRE DE VENTURE WAS ACQUIRED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND BECAME A NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. IN 1983, TEMPORARY ROOFS AND CHIMNEY CAPS WERE INSTALLED ON THE MAIN BLOCK AND WEST HYPHEN TO PROTECT THE EXISTING FABRIC. THESE HABS DRAWINGS AND A PROPOSED HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT WILL SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH FUTURE RESTORATION AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS IMPORTANT PROPERTY CAN BE MADE."