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Description:
Pennterra is a 2 1/2-story, late 18th century house built of stone from a local quarry. This Georgian farmhouse faces southeast towards the Monocacy River. The five-bay main block as well as the original 18th century, 2-bay kitchen adjacent to the northeast elevation show fine workmanship in stone. Two 20th century additions, one at each end, duplicate the earlier masonry. The proportions of Pennterra are pleasing. At each gable end of the main block, there is a double stack, interior brick chimney. Window and door openings have splayed jack arches of gauged stone with a large keyhole present over the door. There is a box cornice with a later bracketed frieze underneath. The window openings have 6/6 lights and the door has a rectangular transom. The exterior architraves of the doors reflect Greek Revival designs. The northeast gable end has two 6-light windows in the attic gable. The original kitchen wing below these windows has an interior chimney in its northeast gable end, and the southeast facade is covered by a shed-roofed porch on the first floor. The southwest bay of this porch holds a door, while a 6/6 sash appears to the northeast. Two 2-light windows pierce the short second floor. Pennterra has a simple plan of a central hall flanked by one room on either side. Most of the interior trim is not original. The dining room has retained its Georgian paneling surrounding the fireplace. Above the fireplace is a large, simple panel framed by an eared architrave. Most of the interior architraves have been replaced with Greek Revival moldings having corner blocks. The mantel in the parlor also reflects Greek Revival taste, but those of the second floor, dating from the later 19th century, are good examples of bold, late Victorian compositions. Some of the original staircase remains. Though the Georgian paneling remains on the first floor, the newel, handrail, and balusters are late Victorian replacements. However, some balusters and the handrail as well as the scrolled step ends remain on the stair leading to the attic.
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Significance:
Pennterra is a fine Georgian stone house built about the same time as nearby Strawberry Hill (dated 1783). It was remodeled in the Greek Revival period and is still in good condition today. This house is an especially good example of the fine quality stonework often found in Frederick County.
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