Garrett-Jacobs Mansion History

In order to appreciate this Mansion, we should try to imagine that we are back into the latter half of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries when the merchant princes of the day lavished untold wealth on building homes which they considered suitable for living and entertaining.

Number 11, the expansion and remodeling of which took 32 years and incorporated Numbers 9, 7, and the rear of 13, is the grandest of these townhouses in Baltimore. It was the largest, encompassing 4 earlier houses made into one with approximately 40 rooms, 100 windows, and 16 fireplaces; the most luxurious, it contained a theater, an art gallery of fine paintings, one of the handsomest conservatories in a private home in this country; a compartmentalized elevator and an elegant supper room with a musician's balcony. It was also the most majestic...

The Mansion's owner, Mrs. Robert Garrett, who later became Mrs. Henry Barton Jacobs after the death of Mr. Garrett in 1896, was the social arbiter of Baltimore for many years and entertained in a truly regal manner, said to have been unequalled by any Baltimore hostess, and comparable with those in New York and Newport, R.I. It should not be forgotten, however, that she was a very philanthropic woman, and left the greater part of her fortune to charity particularly for the medical care of children. She, herself, was childless.

Following her death in 1936, the Mansion was willed to Dr. Jacobs for life. After his death in 1939, the Mansion had several owners until 1961, when The Engineering Society of Baltimore leased the building from the city, which had planned to destroy the building as part of an urban renewal and expansion project for the Walters Art Gallery. In 1962, the club purchased it outright and began a dedicated effort to preserve and maintain the historic structure.In 1971, the Mansion's significance was officially recognized by the Maryland Historic Trust. The Garrett-Jacobs Mansion has also been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Mount Vernon Place Historic District. In 1992, a charitable 501(c)(3) foundation was established to ensure the future of this unique landmark.

Garrett-Jacobs Mansion Timeline

1853	No. 11 West Mount Vernon Place was built by Samuel George on land which belonged originally to John Eager Howard.
1872	John Work Garrett, President of the B&O Railroad during the Civil War, bought No. 11 and gave to his son, Robert, probably as a wedding present.
1884	Robert succeeded his father as president. That same year his wife (the former Mary Frick) decided to enlarge and remodel No. 11. Stanford White was the architect engaged to redesign No.11 and No. 9, the house next door, purchased by the Garretts. The interior of both houses was removed, and the present entrance hall and stairway were created by sacrificing the floor of the upstairs bedroom. The stairwell was capped by a Tiffany glass dome. From the remaining space on the first floor, the "Red Room", drawing room and ballroom were formed, each with its own fireplace. The family dining room was redecorated, but its location was not changed. The exterior of the house is rose-colored sandstone New York "brownstone" in the Italian Renaissance manner.
1896	Robert Garrett died.
1902	Mrs. Garrett married Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs. Soon thereafter, Mrs. Jacobs bought No. 7 and engaged John Russell Pope to design the library, Caen stone hall, stairway, theatre, and supper room below.
1913	Stables at rear razed and art gallery built; encircled space made into an elegant conservatory.
1915	No. 13 purchased and rear demolished to provide light and air for Tiffany glass windows on stairway, for storage pantries, and to add a beautiful garden. (Sold to Miss Estelle Dennis in 1966.) Mrs. Jacobs also owned Uplands, the estate on a part of which Edmondson Village is now built. In addition, she owned Whiteholme at Newport, R.I. and spent much time traveling in Europe.
1936	Mrs. Jacobs died, and No. 11 was willed to Dr. Jacobs for life.
1939	Dr. Jacobs died.
1940	Mansion and contents sold at public auction. William Cook bought the house for use as a funeral parlor but zoning laws prevented this.
1941	Boumi Temple bought building from Mr. Cook and made many alterations
1958	Boumi Temple sold building to the city for Walters Art Gallery project which did not materialize.
1961	City leased the vacant Mansion to the Engineers Club (Founded 1905).
1962	City sold Mansion to the Club, renamed The Engineering Society of Baltimore, Inc. Since then the organization and its members have spent several million dollars to renovate and maintain the property.
1971	Baltimore Heritage, Inc. commends the Society for its "careful restoration of an important landmark."
1980	The Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities presents an award for adaptive restoration.
1992	The Garrett-Jacobs Mansion Endowment Fund, a chartiable 501 (c)(3) community organization, is established to assist in restoration efforts.