Burtis House
Preserving Irreplaceable History in Annapolis
The Burtis House, built c. 1882, sits at 69 Prince George Street at the edge of Annapolis’ City Dock on the Severn River shoreline. The last remaining 19th-century waterman’s house in the area, the cottage was occupied by Capt. William Henry Burtis and three generations of his family. Preservation Maryland’s Historic Property Redevelopment Program is currently working alongside the property’s owner, the City of Annapolis, on its revitalization.
These efforts will protect this last-of-its-kind building ahead of final repairs and future use by, and for, the community. The stabilization work was overseen by Preservation Maryland and is contracted to Richard Hammond Builders of Centreville. Architectural work on the project is being conducted by HD Squared Architects, an Annapolis firm.
The project is a key component of the larger revitalization and resiliency plans for City Dock. In 2020, the organization received a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority and $75,000 from the State of Maryland to fund the project and is also partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Park Service on this important effort.
Explore the Project
At the foot of Annapolis’ Prince George Street, rising sea levels threaten the last surviving historic structures of the formerly robust maritime district known as Hell Point. The original home of captain William Henry Burtis, “one of the best-known watermen of Maryland and a highly respected citizen of Annapolis,” is at risk of succumbing to the chesapeake Bay as it faces a changing environment.
The Burtis House has been elevated from its present location to protect it from the anticipated sea level rise as an effect of climate change. Elevating the Burtis House is part of a large plan to revitalize the city Dock area and protect the downtown business and residential district from future flooding damage.
The Hell Point waterfront community stands as a testament to resilience and progress, woven through centuries of rich history. From its founding days, it has been a beacon of cultural and economic development, shaping the region’s identity. Our mission is to honor this legacy by preserving the Burtis House’s stories.
History
Learn more about the Hell Point community and the only waterman’s cottage left in an area that was once a thriving port.
Preservation on the Waterfront
See photos and videos from the rehabilitation process
“The importance of saving a humble structure like this is it connects visitors and the community to the story of the working waterfront,” said Nicholas Redding, President & CEO of Preservation Maryland. “This project is not just a pilot for Maryland, but also a demonstration project for the rest of the country. Anywhere you go in the world, historic resources sit at the water’s edge. We must protect these resources and heritage, particularly those affected by an ever-changing climate and sea level rise.”
More from Preservation Maryland
Under the Statehouse Dome: Crossing Over to Sine Die
As winter releases its icy grip on Maryland and the waters of the Chesapeake awake, the work of the Maryland General Assembly picks up steam as legislators race toward the final day of session (Sine Die) on April 13, 2026. Before the end, however, all bills must...
Could This Be a Preservation Win? A Look at the 21st Century Road to Housing Act
Across the country, communities are grappling with the same tension: how to create more housing without losing the places, people, and character that make neighborhoods worth living in. For many years, building new in a sprawling manner was seen as the ticket - just...
Orioles Baseball Thrives Because of Great Architecture
Maryland’s historic architecture serves as the backdrop to our lives. From ball games to baptisms, architecture quite literally shapes the way we experience life. Imposing edifices of stone or brick seem intransigent to humanity – but behind every imposing...
