Welcome to the Irvin Allen/Michael Cresap Museum. This wonderful stone
house was built in 1764 by Captain Michael Cresap, the first white male born
in Allegany County, and the son of Colonel Thomas Cresap. Michael was a bold
continental militia volunteer who proved himself on the western frontier
and when called upon after Lexington and Concord led one hundred and forty
riflemen from Oldtown to Boston, the first southern troops to report to General
Washington. Enroute home from Boston he died of a fever and was buried in
the Trinity Church graveyard in New York.
The brick portion of the house
was built by Rev. John Jacobs in 1781. The house was saved from destruction
by Rev. Irvin (Cy) Allen in 1961 when it was about to be demolished. Over
the years Rev. Allen restored it and filled it with artifacts.
We are a private,
non-profit organization. All members on our professional staff are volunteers,
and all donations are applied to the upkeep of the property.
We are open by appointment May through September and closed for the winter months.
To schedule a visit, call us at 301-478-5848.
We are open the fourth weekend of
June for the Oldtown Summer Fest, and for selected events throughout the summer.
Click on “Events and Messages” for current postings. |
