• BALTIMORE •

is UNIT _4\ e31.. 8. 59 STO Agriculture Building • 9811 Van Buren Lane • Cockeysville, MD 21030

igbiCAL Editors: ISSN 0889-6186 JOHN W. McGRAIN and WILLIAM HOLLIFIELD VOL. 32, NO. 4 SUMMER-AUTUMN 1998 VOL. 33, NO. 1

Aigburth Vale

by Carol E. Hooper and William Hollifield

Aigburth Vale, on the south side of Aigburth Road adjacent to Towson High School, is a large three-story mansion set on an open 4.9-acre lot that also includes four outbuildings. The main building complex consists of a large pavilion, three porches, and a number of wings, all with classic mansard roofs. Rich decorative elements appear throughout the exterior, on dormers, porch supports, and at the cornice line. Inside are a number of large public rooms with decorative stone fireplaces and simple wood trim. Set on a slight rise, with a large mansard roof and a Aigburth Vale shortly after construction in 1869. Pho- large central three-and-a-half-story tower with a tograph from Memories of the Professional and Social widow's walk, Aigburth Vale is a striking example of Life of John E. Owens by Mary S. Owens (1892). Second Empire styling. Aigburth Vale has been recognized as one of Baltimore County's preeminent trees. A line of trees is located on the east side of the examples of this architectural style and it is one of very property along Herring Run and assorted deciduous and few surviving Second Empire estates in the county. evergreen trees and bushes are scattered throughout According to John McGrain, Baltimore County the property, many as foundation plantings. No Historian, the house has a number of features that remnants of the original extensive decorative gardens distinguish it from other local buildings of that style. (which included parterres) or "sentinel elms" remain. He finds that other extant Second Empire buildings in The massing and footprint of the building are both the county are smaller in scale than Aigburth and do complex and asymmetrical as was often true for the not, in general, show its use of high quality materials. Second Empire style. Building materials include An access drive from Aigburth Road leading from original horizontal wood siding, standing-seam metal, the west side of the property first forms a circular drive wood shingle, and composition roofing, and stone in front of the west elevation of the house and then foundations which are particularly visible at the continues eastward, providing access to the four basement level on the north and east elevations. outbuildings to the north of the main building. A paved Inside, it is at the first-floor level that the house's parking area is located at the end of this drive, below grand scale and use during the mid-19th century can and to the east of the main house. Based on early maps best be seen. The current (west) entrance opens onto of the area, the access road appears to be largely the main hall which provided access from the original consistent with its early route. The parking area, (south) front entrance. Off of the hall towards the however, likely was added in the 1960s. original entrance are two large rooms, each with a The site contains a number of large trees clustered fireplace. The room to the east was originally the library close to the house and currently the west and south or "sanctum" of John Owens—the original owner—and a elevations are largely obscured by mature evergreen smaller room attached to it was his "smoking room." PAGE 14 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS SUMMER 1998

The west room, which likely was the main parlor or Other changes that date to the Board of Education's dining room, retains the most elaborate decorative use of the building, and therefore likely occurred after elements. The focus of the room is a stone fireplace that 1949, include alterations to three porches. The original has been given a black and mottled brown decorative front porch has been filled in to produce interior space, treatment. It has an overmantel mirror. The fact that as has the porch in the middle of the north wing. In simpler, although related, designs are used in the eight both cases, significant materials and detailing from the other fireplace mantels in the house would indicate that original porch structure, such as siding, roofing, or the fireplace is original. The room also features an molding, remain. The west porch (the current front elaborate central plaster "rose" ceiling medallion and entrance) has been partially infilled. Here, the bays chandelier. toward the steps and all of the porch supports remain Straight ahead from the current entrance are the intact. These elements convey the original appearance main stairs. The open-string stairway has wood of the porch. Another alteration that occurred during banisters and decorative brackets. The sides of the this period was the widening (to the south) of the east stairs have recessed panels. The stairs are located in a wing—which itself was an addition. hall that ends in what originally was another formal Other alterations, such as the construction of the public spqace. It too features a stone fireplace. Today first portion of the east wing and any possible the room has been shortened to produce other rooms in alterations to the north, are difficult to date. Joints in the east wing. The north side of the room is a narrow the construction of the foundations clearly indicate that passageway that provides access to a hall servicing the the one-story section of the east wing is an addition. east wing and the hall leading to the north wing of the As to the north wing, a footprint of the building in house. This hall also includes a service stairway. The 1877 as well as the wing's irregular composition cast north wing consists of three large rooms and the some doubt as to whether the current configuration of enclosed porch. this area is original. An examination of the foundations The second floor has 11 rooms of varying sizes and of these two areas sheds some light on the question. four bathrooms. Three of the larger rooms have Stone foundations which have been whitewashed and fireplaces. The third floor has nine rooms, three of which scored are found along the entire west wall of the north have fireplaces, and five baths. The fourth floor, the addition and, in the interior, along what would be the dormer level of the tower, is reached by an enclosed end of the building before the addition of the east wing. staircase from the third floor. The fourth floor is square, This would suggest that whatever alterations were with L-shaped storage areas located on the outside of made to the north wing were made early or were made and between the dormers. The cross-shaped area exclusively to the upper story. John Owens is known to between the dormers is largely open. An enclosed spiral have made significant alterations to his building during staircase leads to the roof. his lifetime. Because of the strong consistency in Throughout the interior of the house, the window, construction (all pre-Board of Education alterations to door, and ceiling moldings, baseboards, and doors are the exterior of the building duplicate existing materials, simple but consistent with the period of construction. moldings, fenestration patterns, etc.), it is assumed that Moldings on the first floor, particularly in the major any alterations to the north wing took place, in the public spaces, are more ornate than those used in the upper floors. As mentioned previously, the formal elements of Aigburth Vale's original landscaping do not survive, although much of the immediate setting—the layout of the roads and the house's position atop a slight rise—is the same as during John Owens' tenure. As to the house, alterations appear to fall into two categories: changes— nearly all of which are reversible—made by the Board of Education between approximately 1963 and the 1980s and very early additions or alterations to the building, most of which appear to have been completed during Owens' lifetime. The most significant recent change is the modern (1960s and 1970s), shed-roofed, one-story building at the original front of the house. This addition is attached Aigburth Vale in 1950, shortly after the construction of to the building by a long, narrow (16 by 9 foot) hyphen. Towson High School next door SUMMER 1998 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 15 main, during Owens' ownership. The date of the first portion of the east wing has not been determined. It may or may not be associated with Owens' use of the property. Since there are no original building plans, alterations to the interior of the building are difficult to document but seem possible given the later institutional uses of the building. However, the great consistence throughout the interior in terms of moldings and other detailing make such changes speculative at best. Despite the changes, overall, the building would today still be clearly recognizable as "home" to its original owner, John Owens. Outbuildings known to have been on the site include a grapery, hot house/conservatory, dairy, gas house, stable, large barn (1869), ice house (1874), granary (1869), bowling alley (1869), and tenant houses (one John E. Owens was depicted in his favorite role on the constructed in 1869). box label of the "Solon Shingle" brand of cigar Of the dozens of outbuildings originally associated with Aigburth Vale, five remain. They are located it faces southward. A long, rectangular building (58 by slightly to the northeast of the main building off the 20 feet), it is one and a half stories high and is of brick short access road that leads from the north side of the construction. Inside is a single large room. It was extant main house. They date from various periods and when the Board of Education took over the property represent a number of uses. and appears to have been constructed in the 1940s. This A small (approximately 33 by 31 foot) one-and-a- building and the nurses' residence to which it was half-story wood cottage, in the Second Empire style like connected were used as the office of the Board of the main house, is the most elaborate of the Education's Engineering and Construction department. outbuildings. It is located to the north and west of the Aigburth Vale was built as the country home of noted main house and is the farthest west of the outbuildings. actor John E. Owens (1823-1886). He purchased what It has wood shingles, horizontal wood siding, and stone was to become the Aigburth Vale property in 1853 from foundations (on all but the most recent section). It Edward Taylor. At that time there was at least a shares a number of decorative features with the main farmhouse and likely other outbuildings on the site. A house and, based on style and materials, we may photograph of the "old farmhouse" appears in a book conclude that the original portions of the building likely written by his widow. There has been speculation as to are contemporaneous with the main house. While an whether part of the original farmhouse was incor- exact date of the construction has not been established, porated into Aigburth Vale, but there is no physical or it appears in a photograph of 1868. It could be the tenant documentary evidence to suggest that this actually house, valued at $800, that was added to the property occurred. assessment rolls in 1867. Owens changed the name of the property from Rock Moving to the east, the next building is a utilitarian, Spring to Aigburth Vale as a tribute to a relative's about 30 by 40 foot, two-story frame garage with homestead in . He chose the prominent horizontal wood siding and concrete aggregate founda- Baltimore architectural firm of Niernsee and Neilson tions. Five wooden garage doors run the length of the to design the new house. The choice was a logical one. building. Given the materials and style of the building, He may have known the firm's work in Baltimore or it was most likely constructed in the first half of the may have been familiar with the architects' nearby work 20th century. which included the Villa Anneslie (Niernsee, 1855) and The third building is a two-and-a-half story, 24 by Stoneleigh (demolished). 34 foot, Colonial Revival frame structure with During its heyday, Niernsee and Neilson was one of horizontal wood siding. According to tax records, this Baltimore's best known and most prolific architectural building dates to 1925 and was used as a nurses' firms. The firm's diverse work included large estates, residence. churches, and railroad stations. Stylistically, their work The outbuilding located farthest to the east is the was varied but ran heavily towards the Italianate. most recent. Like the other buildings in this grouping, Although the work of Niernsee and Neilson is still well PAGE 16 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS SUMMER 1998 represented in the Baltimore area, there appear to be relatively few surviving examples of their residential work. Constructed in 1868, the house served as the main residence for Owens and his wife, Mary S. Owens, until his death in 1886. For its time and place, the house was considered particularly "handsome" and "finer" than other houses, largely perhaps because of its size and elegance as well as its use of modern conveniences such as gas and indoor plumbing. John E. Owens was the most famous and richest American comedic actor of his time. He also was a successful theatre manager and owned two well-known theaters. Theater placed a far greater role in. American life during the mid-nineteenth century than it does now. Before the advent of cinema, it was one of the major forms of entertainment in America, and the country The small cottage at Aigburth Vale was possibly the supported a large number of theatrical companies both estate gas-generating plant, later used as a bath house resident in larger cities and traveling through the (1983 photo). country. Owens came to the theater early in his life. Born in in 1823, he was brought to mixture of all pictorial ingredients which give such Philadelphia when he was five. At 18, he had his first enviable distinction to Maryland scenery. The speaking part as Poultice in "Ocean Child." Through greatest variety of trees, crowded together with 1844 he worked with William E. Burton at the National picturesque abandon varies the perspective. At Theater in Philadelphia and in Baltimore. In 1848, he last we reach a broad gate which is pointed out as formed his own company and betwen 1848 and 1852 Mr. Owens' grounds. On the left as we enter is a became a co-owner and later sole owner of the Baltimore stretch of clear meadow, to the right a waving Museum. In 1875, he purchased the Academy of Music cornfield. Nothing more can be seen till we saunter in Charleston. along the avenue of smiling maples, for perhaps From the mid-1850s onward, Owens performed both four hundred yards, when the road suddenly drops with his own company and with those of others. His and bends, and we stand in full view of a stately fame and fortune increased as he appeared throughout manor house nestling in the valley below. Des- the country and in Europe in over 340 roles. cending by a winding path, the visitor passes John E. Owens' best known role was as Solon Shingle through ground cultivated with charming skill, in "The Peoples' Lawyer." The role became so closely and laid off into plats of diamond and semicircle, associated with him that he later revised the script to fringed with loveliest parterres. Dainty bits of add to his part and performed it as "Solon Shingle." He country gardening, watched and defended by performed the play for eight weeks in London and for sentinel elms, make up the immediate surround- 280 consecutive nights in New York. ings ofAigburth Vale. Around this charming scene, In 1859 he rented the Variety Theater in New at a respectful distance, is a circle of green hills. Orleans, and it was there that he sponsored a show Mr. Owens has lived here since 1853; loving which included 40 girls in military uniforms singing his country home so well, that he has gradually "Dixie." It has been suggested that this engagement extended it, until now he is monarch of nearly brought the old minstrel tune "Dixie" to prominence three hundred acres. Here, from the rare June and thereafter inspired its adoption as the Confederate days, at the close of the [theater] season, till the States anthem. Owens, himself, was drafted by the September revival on the boards, Solon Shingle Union army; however, he obtained a substitute and doffs his footlight regalia, and plays farmer. 'My never served. country friends,' says the comedian, with a droll Mary S. Owens, in a book about her husband which sense of feeling hurt, 'call me a dandy farmer. was published after is death, included a description of Bless their sweet souls! They don't realize the Aigburth Vale which had first appeared in a letter to a struggles I make to become one of their craft!' to Washington newspaper in August 1877: indulge in an agricultural metaphor, the tale is You reach it by a lovely road, displaying a rather harrowing. . . AUTUMN 1998 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 1

The house is very large, generously constructed of every facility to expedite business . . . all labor-saving with all modern improvements, and is far hand- inventions received investigation from him; and those somer than any other in the region around. A possessing merit were added to his already numerous piazza runs the entire length of the southern or agricultural implements. Reapers, binders, &c., of the principal front, and the wings are tastily finished most approved patents, abounded at Aigburth Vale." off with gables. The comedian's sanctum, on the In addition to his willingness to experiment with right as you enter the wide hall, is a large new agricultural technologies, he experimented with apartment, and opens into a cozy smoking room. produce—at least with respect to tomatoes, where he Over the well-filled bookcase is an oil copy of sought "the choicest and rarest varieties." He grew a Droeshout's Shakespeare. The walls are entirely variety of crops at Aigburth Vale in addition to the covered with paintings and engravings of cele- extensive decorative plantings. He also raised race brated actors and authors. One space is filled by horses on the farm. the life-size half figure of the comedian as Solon The great grandfather of one of the editors of this Shingle, by the painter, Cross; another, three- publication was farm manager at Aigburth Vale. John quarter figure of Dr. 011apod, by D'Almaine; both McGrain (1827-1895), a native of County Meath, wonderfully realistic pieces of work in expression, Ireland, went to New York about 1851 and by 1855 he drapery and coloring. had gone to Montgomery County, Maryland. He was The furniture is rich and solid, not gaudy. Good still living there in 1860 but by the time of the 1870 taste prevails in all things. The walls of the hall census he was employed by John E. Owens. At first the are hung with the portraits of characters once fam- family lived on the Aigburth property in a cottage that ous on the English and American boards. To one was probably demolished to make way for the of these the comedian points with special pride as Donnybrook Apartments. In 1883 he built a house on the only portrait ever taken of Edmund Kean. . . . Willow Avenue in southeast Towson adjoining the Aig- To the right and left of this cherished gem, burth property, which has remained in the McGrain hang the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Duff, Macready, family to the present. Foote, Mrs. Darley, Mr. and Mrs. Francis, and A Towson newspaper reported that John McGrain many more; all being the work of the celebrated toppled over from heat prostration while gardening on artist, Neable (who, it will be remembered, was the Owens farm in 1878. He was identified as "James" the son-in-law of the famous painter, Thomas in the following anecdote in Mrs. Owens' book but as Sully). A great variety of choice landscapes hang John in the same story as published in a Towson in parlor, sitting-room and dining-room, represent- newspaper in 1877. ing French, Flemish and English art, as well as Early in his farming days, Mrs. Owens said, her our own. Take it all in all, Aigburth Vale is a home husband was asked by the manager for $30 to buy a which reflects the refined taste and generous fertilizer. Mr. Owens paid the money and made a note nature of its owner. . . of it. Later, returning from an acting tour, "his thoughts became violently bucolic." He looked over his books, took For the 30 years that Owens owned Aigburth Vale, it served as his retreat from public life and it was his "home . . . in every sense of the word, so long as he lived." He stayed there whenever he was not on the stage—most often in the summer months and during breaks in his schedule. He also entertained extensively at the house and most of the luminaries of the stage of the time enjoyed his hospitality there. By his own description, he was a gentleman farmer, and he was known for his humorous stories about his lack of knowledge of farming techniques and his "expensive" farming hobby. "Every man must have his hobby," he often said, "and mine is harmless. Spending money on my country residence entertains me, and the improvements I make give work to people who need The barn at Aigburth Vale could have dated from the it.17 predecessor estate, Rock Spring Farm. Long used by According to his wife, he was "ultra-progressive- Towson Nurseries, it was demolished about 1963 (1950 always kept abreast of the times, and availed himself photo). PAGE 2 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN 1998

referred to as the country's wealthiest actor—had permitted him the expensive construction of Aigburth Vale, the costly maintenance of the farm and buildings, and its many improvements. However, he became financially strapped in the mid-1880s after investing in unsuccessful mines in Arizona and at the same time funding extensive repairs to his Charleston theater which had been damaged in an earthquake and he had to mortgage Aigburth Vale. He fell ill in May 1885, recovered enough to work on the restoration of the theater, but then became ill again. He died on December 7, 1886, just a few days after the house was put up for sale. Aigburth Vale was one of a series of prominent 19th- century country houses that were built along York Road from Waverly to Towson. These estates had large acreages that eventually were separated from the houses and became subdivided into the current suburban development. Aigburth Vale was, in fact, Towson's first planned suburban development. Immediately before Owens' death, the property was Spacious porch at Aigburth Vale with chairs and rock- advertised for sale. At or about that time, the site had ers used by Dr. Sargent's patients (1950 photo). been laid out into building lots, with about 66 acres assigned to the mansion. In 1889, three years after an inventory, and asked where that $30 fertilizer was. Owens' death, the property was advertised for sale "Out in the field yonder," was the reply of his manager. again. It was described as "one of the most valuable He went out to inspect the new implement, but not and desirable landed estates in the vicinity of finding it, came back and said, "John, you want to show Baltimore." It lay high and healthy and offered a grand me that fertilizer p.d.q." John replied, "Lord! Mr. Owens, view, splendid improvements, and superb water in how can you see it when its all been harrowed into the abundance. The property then consisted of 213 acres— ground." The crushed comedian, said Mrs. Owens, described as suitable for builting lots and villas—to be whistled his way back into the house with his thumbs sold as a whole or in lots. SolomonKing, who apparently digging into his ribs. was a personal friend of the Owenses, bought the house As has been noted, the comedian spoke with and 208 acres for $28,000. One year later, he sold the amusement of the expenses of his farming activities. house to John Hubner. The 1877 newspaper account of the estate said that Hubner had emigrated from Lonnerstadt, Bavaria, [w]hen his friends call, he sets out milk and and worked at Relay before moving to the Catonsville champagne, with the tearful request that they will area in 1870. He was directly or indirectly involved in take champagne, because it doesn't cost as much; the construction of over 3,000 homes in Baltimore City and he calculates that he swallows a dollar bill and its suburbs. He was a member of the Maryland with every Royal Trophy tomato. The expense of General Assembly from 1886 to 1892 (he was Speaker producing his delicious fruits would paralyze the of the House in 1890) and became a member of the State ambition of most people; but he keeps reaching Senate in 1892, serving as its president from 1900 to out after the choicest and rarest varieties. When 1902. the end of the year comes, and he finds he must In February 1891, Hubner transferred ownership enter up the balance on the off side of his Aigburth of Aigburth Vale to the Maryland Real Estate Company Vale ledger he is quite content. The pastime is of Baltimore City, which was described as a "syndicate expensive, but delightful. To say that his plodding of Baltimore City and County capitalists, consisting of neighbors refuse encouragement, would be unjust. John Hubner, Col. William A. Hanway, Joseph M. Cone, `Their sympathies appear to be directed chiefly to Levi Z. Condon and Frederick Rice." A number of these my hennery,' says the actor, 'for they often write men were, like John Hubner, involved in development to me about "Egg-birth." ' in the Baltimroe area either singly or together. ATowson newspaper stated that "the syndicate, who own the John E. Owens' financial resources—he was often property are enterprising men, and it is believed their AUTUMN 1998 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 3 efforts will give quite a boon to this section, which will be greatly increased by the introduction of rapid transit on the York Railway." In 1891, the building was being "fitted up and re- paired" and was rented out to Joshua Homer while his house was being rebuilt. A local newspaper item at the end of 1892 stated that Messrs. Hubner, Hanway and Co., the proprietors of the Aigburth estate, had let out contracts for the building of five cottages of "modern style and convenience" to cost between $2,500 and $5,000. "The property has been platted and avenues laid off," the paper said, "and soon it will be a busy hive of industry and it will be an incentive to other enterprises in the neighborhood. . . ." In 1893, the Maryland Real Estate and Improve- ment Company, specifically William A. Hanway, John Hubner, and Even E. Hunting, put two roads through Aigburth Vale and an adjacent property to the north (apparently Aigburth Road and Burke Avenue). Four cottages were built on the property and a "large addition" to the mansion was made for its use as a sum- mer boarding house. The boarding house—called Aigburth Vale House— which operated at least during the mid-1890s, was run by Miss M. Robinson. In July 1893 she had over 100 guests, nearly all from Baltimore. Later, Aigburth Vale was a summer boarding house operated by Charles V. and Mary E. McConn. In 1900 the McConns had lived in the household of Mrs. Mc- Conn's mother in Baltimore. By the time of the 1910 East side view of Aigburth Vale and its porches (1950). census, they had rented the Aigburth property and had six boarders: Mrs. Jennie D. Arthur, a widow, and her Baltimore and received his medical degree from the three adult daughters; Annie McGrigan, a single Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons. Follow- woman; and Harry I. Holton, Mrs. McConn's brother. ing post graduate work in psychiatry, he was employed Also living there was the McConns' adult daughter, at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital in 1903 as one Ethel. None of the boarders was listed as having an of several assistant physicians. During World War I, occupation except for Harry Holton, who worked in he served as a captain in the Army Medical Corps, advertising. Mrs. McConn was listed in a 1915 directory receiving his discharge in 1919 with rank of major. as living at Aigburth Park, Towson. Cora R. McCabe, a registered nurse, was chief nurse In the late 1910s, with the real estate speculation at Sheppard-Pratt in 1910. She remained there during not particularlly successful, the property went through World War I and in 1917 she was also serving as several owners. In August 1917, it was sold by the chairman of the Maryland State Red Cross Nursing Maryland Real Estate Company back to John Hubner Service, which recruited nurses for overseas service. as an individual. In September 1919, the property was The Sargents had married before the war and in sold to Raymond Foxwell who immediately transferred 1920 were occupying the same positions at the hospital it to H. Courtney Jennifer. Jennifer sold it in December as in 1910. They still lived on the hospital grounds 1919 to George F. and Cora McCabe Sargent. This though they had already purchased the Aigburth Vale purchase was of a much smaller, 4.9-acre parcel, while property. Later in 1920 they left Sheppard-Pratt and much of the surrounding land became part of Towson moved to Aigburth Vale. They renamed the place Nurseries, Inc. Aigburth Manor and operated a private sanitarium Both of the Sargents had been on the staff of the there until retiring in 1950. Various sources described nearby Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital—he as a the sanitarium as a convalescent hospital, a nursing physician and she as head nurse. home, and a hospital for the aged. It appears to have Dr. Sargent, a native of New York state, moved to been a place for patients who were recovering from PAGE 4 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN 1998 psychiatric illnesses and did not need the level of care offered at hospitals such as Sheppard-Pratt. A 1933 newspaper article about the house stated that it had come "into the possession of one who ap- preciated it and has restored, in a large measure, the house and immediate grounds to their original beauty." A member of the Woman's Club of Towson, writing in Dr. and Mrs. Sargent, last pri- the club's monthly publication, described the property vate owners of Aigburth, were in 1940 as "this truly beautiful bit of landscape." buried in Arlington National Dr. and Mrs. Sargent wanted to preserve the Aig- Cemetery. burth Manor property, expressing their concern that it - photograph by William Hollifield not fall into the hands of those who might destroy "the elegant atmosphere of the building and immediate surroundings." In 1950, they entered into an agreement offices were again occupying space in several other to turn over the 30-room building to the Baltimore locations and an Army surplus trailer was being used County Board of Education with the provision that the on the Aigburth property for record storage. Sargents would remain on the property for the Unfortunately, what the Sargents had hoped to remainder of their lives. In mid-1950, the Board of prevent nearly happened during the occupancy of the Education's administrative offices, which had been Board of Education. Preservationists came to realize located in two buildings in central Towson and in a that the Board of Education had neglected the Aigburth building on Saratoga Street in Baltimore, were property to the extent that the mansion was in danger consolidated and relocated to the Aigburth mansion. of being lost. The house was listed as a Baltimore The Sargents moved into a smaller building on the County landmark in 1985, but the cost of restoring it property, probably the cottage just across fromt he was considered prohibitive by officials of the Board of entrance to the mansion. Dr. Sargent died there in 1959 Education. By 1996 the Board had removed all of its at the age of 76 and Mrs. Sargent died in 1963. During offices except those involved with adult education. In this period, the Sargents were paid $600 a month by 1996 these offices were relocated and the county the Board of Education. Upon Mrs. Sargent's death, title government took over the building, offering to sell it to the 4.9-acre site was transferred to the Board of and its 3.3 acres to any developer who would agree to Education. At that time, the house parcel and the restore the property. Nine investors made proposals to nursery parcel (which had been sold in two pieces in purchase the building and convert it to commercial 1943 and 1946) were reunited into one parcel owned by purposes, such as offices or an inn The most promising the Board of Education. of these plans was advanced by Martin Azola, who had The Aigburth property could not fulfill the Board of successfully restored other old buildings in the county. Education's needs very long. By 1959 its adminstrative He planned to convert the buildings into offices for nonprofit organizations but had to withdraw because it was found that two of the outbuildings—a former garage and maintenance building—were in a flood plain and could not be used to generate rental income to help finance restoration of the mansion. The county was asked to provide financial assistance but declined. Finally, in 1998, a plan was developed by architect Leo D'Aleo to use the mansion as housing for the elderly, to be known as Aigburth Vale Senior Community. Six one-room apartments were planned in the mansion and another 64 in a four-story addition to be constructed to the rear of it and connected by a glass-enclosed walkway. Also in 1998, Aigburth Vale was nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

0 The photographs, except the first and the last, are by Aigburth Vale was considerably expanded at the rear to John McGrain. The cigar box is also from his collection develop it as a summer hotel in 1893 (1983 photo). as well as the biography of John E. Owens.