Preservation Maryland is pleased to announce the start of rehabilitation work at Knocks Folly, one of Maryland’s most architecturally unique and distinctive historic homes. Located within the Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area in Kent County and managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Knocks Folly is a rare architectural landmark that combines a mid-18th-century log dwelling with an elegant early-19th-century Federal-style brick addition. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and protected by a preservation easement held by the Maryland Historical Trust.
The house reflects more than two centuries of Maryland history, evolving from a modest waterfront farmstead into one of the region’s most architecturally significant residences. Perched above Turner’s Creek with views toward the Sassafras River, Knocks Folly stands as a remarkable example of changing building traditions, craftsmanship, and life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Working in partnership with DNR, Preservation Maryland is managing a comprehensive exterior rehabilitation effort designed to protect the building’s historic fabric and address long-term preservation needs. Planned work includes roof and chimney repairs, masonry repointing, restoration of historic woodwork, repairs to the log wing and porch, rehabilitation of the dairy building, and fabrication of historically appropriate operable shutters based on surviving original examples. The project will also improve weatherproofing and help safeguard the structure from future deterioration.
Following a competitive procurement process, Preservation Maryland and DNR selected The Durable Restoration Company to complete the work. Durable Restoration brings extensive experience in the preservation of historic structures and will carry out the rehabilitation in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Construction is expected to begin immediately and will help ensure that Knocks Folly remains a preserved and protected part of Maryland’s cultural landscape for generations to come.