The Clifton Mansion

Clifton Mansion serves as the headquarters for Civic Works’ community service programs and as an important resource for the neighborhoods surrounding Clifton Park. For over 200 years, Clifton Mansion has anchored the Clifton Park communities. Now care of the Mansion is stewarded through Civic Works, with large scale restoration work being conducted by the Friends of Clifton Mansion.

History

The Clifton Mansion was originally built in 1802 as a Georgian style stone mansion, by Baltimore merchant Henry Thompson, who served as Captain of the First Baltimore Horse Artillery in the War of 1812. The building was later purchased by famed philanthropist Johns Hopkins, who transformed the mansion into a Victorian era Italian villa that served as his summer estate.

Clifton Mansion features an eighty-foot tower with a commanding view of Baltimore, an extensive porch arcade (row of arches) which wraps around three sides of the building. The entrance hall featuring a black walnut grand staircase, marble floor, intricate plasterwork, and ornate hand painted ceilings and walls, featuring a mural of the Bay of Naples.

The City of Baltimore purchased Clifton Mansion and its grounds in 1895 from Johns Hopkins University. It has been put to many uses ever since, including a headquarters for the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the clubhouse for the golf course. Although the Clifton Mansion fell into considerable disrepair during its years of transition, the building is being carefully restored by Civic Works and the Friends of Clifton Mansion. Renovation of the mansion will ensure the future of this Baltimore landmark and will also enhance the capacity of Civic Works’ programs.

Learn more about this unique Baltimore historic landmark! Contact John Ciekot (410-366-8533) or cliftonmansion@civicworks.com. You can also learn more about becoming a volunteer at Clifton Mansion.

Enslaved People at Clifton

Enslaved people were forced to live and work on the Clifton estate. Both Henry Thompson and Johns Hopkins benefited from the forced labor of enslaved people. They also profited from the local and national systems of slavery.

We honor the people who were enslaved at Clifton. Reuben, Bill, Kitty, Jacob, Sarah, Chester, Lewis, Matilda, Annis, Isaac, Jim, Maria, Essex, Maria, Harriet, Bill, and other people whose names we do not know, lived on the grounds and were forced to maintain the mansion and the surrounding land.

We are continuing to research this early period in Clifton’s history and create materials and exhibits that acknowledge the experiences of people enslaved at Clifton Mansion.