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More About This House

200 Washington Avenue
Chestertown, MD 21620

American Four-Square, constructed 1908 and located in the Chestertown Historic District and Chestertown National Register District. One block to Washington College and Garrett Elementary School, one block to town square, walking distance to farmer’s market, downtown shopping, and campus. Two blocks from the Chester River Hospital and Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, four blocks from Chestertown Middle School. Light-filled corner lot, with driveway and garage access on a side-street (Kent Street).

This three-story residence was erected in 1908 for Frederick Usilton in the ‘Four-Square” style. Constructed by Chestertown master-builder Walter Pippin, the brick construction, tall windows, wrap-around porch, restrained trim, and graceful dormer window treatments make it one of the most imposing structures along Washington Avenue. Unlike many of the Victorian buildings along Washington Avenue, with their detailed trim and “gingerbread,” this house is more restrained and shows clear links to the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th Century. A pre-1945 brick, two-bay garage has a pyramidal metal roof with wide over-hanging eaves, attributes that echo those found on the main house.

Particularly noteworthy are the cement window sills and lintels; the cement water table; the matching rails around the porch roof, widow’s walk and side entry; the gable window details; interior pocket doors in the parlor; interior paneled doors throughout the house; and the beautiful woodwork of the foyer and main stairs.

Features

• Four bedrooms, three and a half baths
• 2,915 square feet (assessment says 2,869 sf; 46 sf added in kitchen renovation)
• Brick, with full granite foundation
• Wrap-around porch
• Separate600 sf two-car garage, brick
• Enclosed rear yard with bluestone patio
• Electrical – 2-panel boxes – 150 amp and 200 amp service, installed 2007
• Plumbing – copper pipes
• Roofing
• Main roof - new sheathing and shingles installed 1999
• Porch and kitchen wing – new standing seam metal roof installed 1999 and 2007, respectively
• HVAC
• High-velocity central air installed 2012, with heat pumps
• Back-up heat (below 35o) - oil-fired furnace (new in 2003), three zones, radiators (hot water baseboard in dining room and master bath)

Basement

• Full basement under NW quadrant of house
• Exterior and interior entrances
• Sump pump, utility sink
• Crawl space under the remainder

First Floor

Five rooms and half-bath
• Foyer and main stairway to third floor
• Separate service stairway to second floor
• Formal living room (parlor)
• Family room
• Dining room
• Kitchen and pantry
• Half-bath

Kitchen – renovated 2008
• Radiant floor heat (electric)
• Custom-made solid wood cabinets
• Wine cooler
• Wall oven & microwave
• Double drawer dishwasher
• Pot filler
• Separate pantry

Dining room
• Fireplace with gas log set

Parlor
• Fireplace with gas log set
• Pocket doors (2)

Living room
• Pocket door
• Bay window

Foyer
• 37-inch wide stairway, wood banister and trim
• Storage beneath stairs

Second Floor

Master bedroom and bath suite
• Two closets
• Jetted tub
• Separate shower
• Double sinks
• Toe-kick heater beneath vanity
• In-wall ironing board
• Laundry room with full-size washer & dryer, cabinets

Guest bedroom and full bath

Third Floor

Two bedrooms (one currently an office)
Full bath
Two walk-in closets

Attic & Roof

Pull down stairs
Ladder and access to widow’s walk on roof