Preserving a Maryland Icon: The South Mountain House

Explore the intricate history and future vision of the South Mountain House, a landmark of cultural significance and architectural heritage.

For more than 200 years, the South Mountain House—known most recently as the “Old South Mountain Inn”—has adapted to meet the changing needs of travelers, residents, visitors, and more. Serving as a stagecoach inn and tavern, a summer resort, a Civil War headquarters, a luxurious private residence, a religious retreat, a tourist camp with music and dancing, and a restaurant with a distinctive dining experience, the property was truly transformative.

Today, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Preservation Maryland are working to ensure the tradition of welcoming the public continues at the South Mountain House. To guide that vision, a project team is preparing two key planning tools: a Historic Structure Report and an Adaptive Reuse Feasibility Study.

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Why Your Voice Matters

The South Mountain House has always evolved to meet the needs of the people it serves, and its next chapter should be no different. Attend the Open House on September 22, 2026—or participate in the public survey launching the same day on this page—to ensure the building’s upcoming transformation reflects the history, character, and future of the South Mountain region.

South Mountain House Open House
September 22, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Greenbrier State Park Visitor Center
*Open to the public!

Planning for the Next Chapter

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Historic Structure Report

The Historic Structure Report (HSR) tells the story of the South Mountain House—from its history and evolution to its current condition. Developed through extensive research and on-site investigation, it documents what makes the building significant, identifies preservation needs, and provides the foundation for future planning and rehabilitation efforts.

Read the Historic Structure Report

Tip: If you’re looking for a quick summary, refer to pages 5-7 in the report.

What went into developing the HSR?

Before imagining what the South Mountain House could become, we first needed to understand its story.

Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources enlisted a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, historians, archaeologists, and preservation specialists to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the property. Their work began with an in-depth conditions assessment to document the building, evaluate its physical condition, and uncover evidence of how it has evolved over more than two centuries.

Over several days of fieldwork, the team explored every corner of the house and surrounding landscape. Using laser scanning, Matterport imaging, drone photography, and architectural investigation, they created a detailed digital record of the property while examining framing, masonry, finishes, mechanical systems, and other historic features. Engineers evaluated the building’s structural systems, archaeologists investigated the surrounding landscape, and specialists analyzed paint layers and wood samples to better understand the building’s history.

The investigation extended well beyond the building itself. Historians conducted archival research to better understand the property’s owners, occupants, and role within the surrounding community and the broader region. By combining documentary evidence with physical investigation, the team identified six major periods of development, tracing how the building evolved from its early 19th century origins into what visitors recognize today.

One of the most exciting discoveries came through dendrochronology—the scientific method of dating wood samples. Analysis of surviving timbers revealed that the oldest existing portion of the house dates to approximately 1819, providing new insight into the building’s origins.

This discovery and more can be found within the Historic Structure Report—a comprehensive roadmap that assesses the property’s history and existing conditions to identify opportunities for the building’s future. It’s more than a record of the past; it is the foundation for thoughtful decision-making.

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Feasibility Study

The Adaptive Reuse Feasibility Study explores how the South Mountain House can serve future visitors while preserving the historic character that makes it significant. By combining technical analysis with input from stakeholders and the public, the study will help the Maryland Department of Natural Resources identify a preferred vision for the property’s future.

What must be considered in the feasibility study?

For more than 200 years, the South Mountain House has adapted to meet the changing needs of each generation. Today, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources envisions the property as a visitor center and gateway to the South Mountain region—but determining the best way to achieve that vision requires thoughtful planning.

An adaptive reuse feasibility study explores how a historic building can be given a new purpose while protecting the features that make it historically significant. Rather than beginning with a single solution, the project team is developing multiple concepts that explore different ways the South Mountain House could serve visitors while respecting its history.

Each concept considers a wide range of factors, including historic preservation, accessibility, visitor experience, building operations, long-term maintenance, sustainability, and cost. Comparing several options allows the project team to understand the opportunities and tradeoffs of each approach before recommending a preferred direction.

Just as important is hearing from the people who know and care about South Mountain today. Earlier in the project, park partners, local governments, tourism organizations, historians, Appalachian Trail organizations, preservation groups, and other community stakeholders provided feedback that helped shape the initial concepts for the property’s transformation. Now, members of the public have the opportunity to do the same.

Whether you visit South Mountain to hike, learn about history, enjoy the outdoors, or simply pass through the region, your perspective matters. Public feedback will help refine the concepts and provide the Maryland Department of Natural Resources with valuable insight as it selects a preferred approach—one that reflects both the building’s significance and the needs, priorities, and aspirations of the communities it serves for generations to come.