Davis residence, East New Market

BALTIMORE — The annual Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage (MHGP) returns for five weekends this spring from May 3 through May 30. A longstanding Maryland tradition, the Pilgrimage provides access to some of Maryland’s most noteworthy private properties and enables residents to see their home state with fresh eyes.

The 2015 tour includes 44 private homes, gardens, farms, wineries, churches and historic sites in five counties. They are St. Mary’s County (May 3); Dorchester County (May 9); Anne Arundel County (May 16); Baltimore City/Roland Park (May 17) and Washington County (May 30). Advance tickets for each tour are $30 per person ($35 if purchasing day-of). Catered lunches will be available on all tours. Purchase tickets and get more information at mhgp.org or 410-821-6933.

The annual spring tours are a central component of MHGP’s efforts to cultivate awareness of Maryland’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Every year, proceeds from the tour support designated preservation projects in each host community. To date, the Pilgrimage has raised more than $1 million for the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties throughout the State of Maryland while entertaining and educating thousands of attendees.

Here are some of the stops featured on the tour through Dorchester County this year:

Buckland in East New Market

Stop 4 “Buckland” in East New Market

Buckland is a two-story frame “saltbox” structure, a style most unusual for Dorchester County in the 18th century. The land was purchased by John Rix and early records indicate a house had been built by 1742. The Parlor of Buckland is especially noted for its ornately carved plasterwork which is considered the oldest ornamental plaster ceiling in Maryland. Buckland is the current home of the Mayor of East New Market who has furnished it in an authentic period style with antiques, carpets and accessories most suitable for this lovely historic home. This home and the entire village are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The East New Market Historic District consists of a village of about 75 buildings that represent a variety of 18th, 19th, and 20th century architectural styles. Owner: Mayor Caroline Cline

Stop 5 Davis Residence in East New Market

Built in 1979 by builder Carl Haglund, the home is on a gorgeous waterfront lot that was part of a larger parcel later developed by the Davis family. The owner-designed house is based on a 18th century New England saltbox with the long pitched roof in the back, center chimney and symmetrical front windows. The inside takes a more modern approach with a balcony overlooking the living room and French doors offering expansive views of the swimming pool and the Great Choptank River beyond. Paintings by Mrs. Davis can be seen throughout the house along with other original art work by other local artists. The house is furnished with country style antiques including an early corner cupboard from North Carolina. An extensive Decoy collection was inherited from Mrs. Davis’ parents. Owners Harvey and Lynne Davis

Cedar Haven in East New Market

Stop 6 “Cedar Haven” in East New Market

This entire area was all once inhabited by the Native Choptank and Nanticoke people who later were forced to live on the Locust Neck Indian Reservation on nearby Indian Creek. Starting with a modest summer cottage, built in the 1930s, the house has expanded into a private retreat on the banks of the Choptank River. The house contains interesting collections of antiques, paintings, samplers, oil lamps and decoys. Two ceramic containers from “Gelfand Mayonnaise,” are from Mr. Danzansky’s grandfather and great uncle who were the Gelfands from Baltimore who perfected the first homogenized mayonnaise.

There are “historic” trees on the property which include the two Ginkgo trees, two historic poplar trees grown from seedlings from poplars that George Washington planted at Mount Vernon, and a direct descendant of the Wye Oak tree. Owners: Joan and Steve Danzansky