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Patrick Henry Fellows' Residence Dedication
September 18, 2008
This year's celebration of the George Washington Book Prize included a special treat, a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at the new Patrick Henry Fellows' Residence. Launched this year as a bookend to the Washington Prize, the Patrick Henry Fellows' Program offers year-long residential fellowships to writers undertaking innovative work on America's founding era and its legacy.
Thanks to generous gifts from the Barksdale-Dabney-Patrick Henry Fund and the National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington College was able to purchase one of the most historic houses in Chestertown, the ca. 1735 Buck-Chambers House, for use as a fellows' residence. Newly renovated and furnished with period pieces, the house welcomed its first residents, inaugural Patrick Henry Fellow Henry Wiencek and his wife Donna Lucey, at the end of August. On Thursday, September 18, the community gathered to officially dedicate 103 North Queen Street as a home for visiting writers. Former residents, donors, and fellowship sponsors joined neighbors and Washington College faculty, board members, and friends for a champagne toast and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- Learn more about the Patrick Henry Fellowship
- Read the storied history of 103 North Queen Street
Click to enlarge photos or view more on Flickr.
Board of Visitors and Governors members Eric Wentworth P'97 and David Burton with Athletic Director and Associate Vice President for Administrative Services Bryan Matthews and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Jim Manaro.
Kevin Lynch '12, Hoitt McAllister '12, and Charles Weisenberger '12 outside 103 North Queen Street.
Dean Christopher Ames talks with two early American historians: Professor Brett Rushforth of the College of William & Mary, and WC's own Professor Ken Miller.
Students, faculty, board members, donors, neighbors and friends mingle outside the new Patrick Henry Fellows' Residence.
Washington College President Baird Tipson welcomes guests to the dedication.
Patrick Henry descendant Mrs. Margaret Penick Nuttle and her new friend Nola, whose mother, Sally Murray James, the daughter of famed WC English professor Norman James and Alice James, head of the Writing Center, grew up in the house.
Adam Goodheart, Hodson Trust-Griswold Director of the C.V. Starr Center, talks about sloping floors, lost marbles, and the mystique of old houses.
Adam Goodheart prepares to pop the cork Starr Center-style, by ceremonially slicing the bottle.
Steve Ross, Director of the National Endowment for the Humanities' Office of Challenge Grants, Rose O'Neill Literary House Director Joshua Wolf Shenk, Starr Center director Adam Goodheart, and Mrs. Margaret Penick Nuttle toast the house's new life.
Mrs. Margaret Nuttle cuts the ribbon as Starr Center director Adam Goodheart and Washington College President Baird Tipson look on.
Guests spill into the front room for their first look at the Patrick Henry Fellows' Residence.
Mrs. Nuttle and her great-nephew Daniel J. Penick, a member of the Class of 2012.
Henry Wiencek chats with Miller Library director Ruth Shoge.
Board of Visitors and Governors member Ben Kohl, Margaret Nuttle Melcher, and Starr Center director Adam Goodheart.
Master Printer Mike Kaylor created beautiful keepsakes for dedication guests on the Literary House's antique letterpress.
The front door of 103 N. Queen Street.
The entry.
A writer's study.
Bookcases line the walls of the study.
Former resident Mary Rhinelander painted the designs on the dining room walls.
The living room.
The living room.
Guest Bedroom #1.
Guest Bedroom #2.
The upstairs hallway.
The master bedroom.
The back garden.
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