BALLESTONE MANOR SHOW
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Historic Ballestone Manor is located on Back River Neck Road in eastern
Baltimore County across from the Rocky Point Golf Course. Our June visit
to the Manor is an annual event that draws participants from the eastern area of
Baltimore County as well as members.
Our 2005 hosts for the event were Ginny and Paul Habicht
.
Once again the Club had our annual gathering on the beautiful grounds of
historic Ballestone Manor on Sunday, June 5th. 
Ballestone dates from a 1659 land grant from the second Lord Baltimore to
William Ball. The brick manor house was built in the late eighteenth century.
The imposing house's interior is now a museum that depicts colonial life. Sunday
was also the opening day for the museum visitors' season and was highlighted by
a reserved opening day tea.
The weather was perfect, clear and warm, attracting 14 antique cars and 21 participants. It was good to see Mary Wilhelm out and about after her recent confinement. And Jerry Gordon seems to be doing very well and back in the swing of things after his recent illness.
To commemorate the Club's 50th Anniversary, Ginny Habicht baked a delicious strawberry flag cake that was enjoyed along with refreshments supplied by the Club. I guess we had our own "opening day tea".
The Sponsor's Choice, selected by the museum staff, was awarded to Julie and Ron Slegrist for their nice 1970 Oldsmobile convertible.
Members and guests participating were: Ray Adler, '66 Corvair; Mary & Ed Allen, '57 Chevrolet; Dick Bandel, '28 Durant; Dave Benson, '57 Thunderbird; Tom Black, '69 Buick; Mike Dorsch, '76 Chrysler; P. Dorsch, '64 Corvair; Helen & Jerry Gordon, modem; Ginny & Paul Habicht, '61 Cadillac; Richard Hiob, '39 Buick; Larry Holton, '63 Thunderbird; Don Rhine, '40 Buick; Julie & Ron Siegrist, '70 Oldsmobile; Allen & Fred Weinstein, '38 Hupmobile; and Mary & Harry Wilhelm, '68 Ford.
Member Richard Hiob's 1939 Buick, an east Baltimore County resident and regular participant at Ballestone.
A Brief History of the Manor House
The land upon which Ballestone sits was granted by Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, to William Ball, maternal greatgreat-grandfather of George Washington. Ball, a Virginia resident, primarily viewed the property as an investment and probably never visited the site. Although Ball did not live in Maryland, he gave his name to the parcel of land. By the mid-18th century the site was commonly referred to as 'Baliston".
Prior to the Revolution, the Stansbury family acquired a substantial amount of acreage comprising a majority of the 1659 land grant. By the 1760's a family cemetery had been established in which both Thomas and Jane Stansbury were interred. It is their son, Dixon who is believed to have built the nucleus of the present house in the post revolutionary period.
During this time a favorable mercantile economy bolstered development not only in Baltimore, a short boat ride away, but also in surrounding areas such as Ballestone. The original 2 story, 3 bay structure of brick, with the principal facade of femish bond, was a product of this economy.
Evolution of Ballestone continued into the 19th century. Purchased by the Leakin family in 1819, it is probably they that oversaw the construction of a 1 story brick addition as well as a 2 story frame addition which is no longer existent. Shepard Leakin, who served as a mayor of Baltimore City, inherited the property from his father.
By mid-century, Edward Miller became the owner of Ballestone. The final development phase of the structure took place under his ownership. The roof of the early 19th century 1 story addition was raised to a full 2 stories. In order to complete the design a columned portico embellished with Victorian millwork was added to the land side.
Presently, Ballestone is administered by the Ballestone Preservation
Society. Within the house are period room settings which depict each phase of
the architectural development of the site. A Federal period dining parlor circa
1780-1820 begins the tour which leads the visitor through the next hundred years
of American decorative arts. Furnished to document a middle class family,
Ballestone becomes an enlightening experience for visitors of all ages.