Baltimore County: Historic Home w/ Guest House & Pool

Being offered is The Ashland School or Baltimore County School No. 7 located at 200 Ashland Rd in Cockeysville, MD.  Listed  on the National Register of Historic Places, a Baltimore County Landmark , and a Maryland Heritage Property, this private home is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival/Queen Anne architectural style in the State of Maryland.  This historic structure was hewn from steam cut marble quarried from the nearby  Beaver Dam quarry which was used on many Wash DC and Baltimore MD landmarks (Washington Monument, Dept. of Treasury US Mint, and countless others).  Frank E. Davis,  prominent Baltimore  architect and founding member of the American Institute of Architects, was the architect of record with Robert G. Merryman  as General Contractor.  The school remained in service from 1882 to 1929 when  it was sold  by the Baltimore County Board of School Commissioners and converted into a private residence  by the notable Baltimore design firm of Palmer Lambdin. 

The property as described in its listing to the National Register 8/31/2000:

DESCRIPTION:  Baltimore County School No. 7 was constructed in 1882 atop a hill at the intersection of Ashland Road and Paper Mill Road, at the entrance to the Village of Ashland, associated with the Ashland Iron Works.  The structure is built of rough cut marble ashlar from the nearby Butler/Beaver Dam Quarry.   The exterior reflects the influence of the Queen Anne style with gabled windows, elaborate cornice work, fan-shaped attic vents at the roof peak, and numerous large banks of multi-paned windows.  While the exterior has remained largely unaltered, the interior of the building was altered in 1930 from the two-room schoolhouse configuration to that of an upscale private residence, still incorporating the 25 foot barrel-vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and trusses.  Very attractive architectural details were added, such as a large foyer or reception hall paneled in Southern “gumwood” with Ebony beads with two sets of double French doors that lead into the two main rooms.  The “great room” (living room) is wainscoted with the same “gumwood” paneling.  All of the floors in the house are finished with 2” by 1” thick heart pine flooring all run on the diagonal.  Also included in the 1930 conversion was an elegant stairway with unique wood and iron railings that leads to a loft that is enclosed by a glazed curtain wall with an unusual wedge-shaped door.  Other notable features from the 1930 period are a beautiful stone fireplace with “Inglenook” style sitting area across from it that together separate the dining room and the great room.  The dining room has several custom built-in cabinets that are Federal in style, and the walls are covered with a faux stone simulating varied stone blocks that was poularized in England in the 19th century.

The current owners since  1999 have lavished  the main house and  guest house  with  all new wiring,  plumbing,  heating and air conditioning using all premium makers.  The bathrooms are marble and Italian tile  with the master bathroom  having a Jacuzzi  and a steam shower. Both bathrooms have radiant heat floors. The guest house has a very large upstairs bedroom overlooking the pool , living room , eat in kitchen and full bathroom. The laundry room and exercise room  are also located in the guest house which is connected to a large 2 car garage.  The Pool, which was  designed by  Bob Thompson of Lothorian, features a  stone fountain  and stone walls that are lined with tumbled Italian porcelain tile.  Also featured is a handmade  marble and glass mosaic Sea Turtle installed into the plaster  bottom of the pool. The entire deck is tiled in fine porcelains.  The back yard and  pool area  are surrounded by  8’ graduated stone walls. The entire property is irrigated by a 12 station Weathermatic  system.  An Invisible Fence pet containment system is also included.  The property is serviced by Baltimore County water and sewers , no well and septic.

“Ashland School” is one of the most coveted properties in Baltimore county  for its design, history, key location at the entrance  to the Ashland development  and its  15 min drive to the city .For recreation  the NCR 41 mile bike and jogging recreation trail are right at the end of the street , the West Branch of the Gunpowder river is across the street and  the Hunt Valley town center with Wegmans is a 3 minute drive .  This is not a “national builder” “executive style”  miscreant in the middle of some ex-farmers field  with no trees or landscaping, or plantings of note. Ashland is meant for people that  understand things of value and permanence,  and the importance  of family and friends being “kept” on an elevated level and surrounded by beauty.  All pre-approved renovations and upgrades  have a 20% (of total project cost) credit towards MD state taxes and 20% (of total project cost) deduction off of Baltimore county property taxes.

With our family diminishing in numbers  we feel that this classic address now needs another to enjoy its excellent heritage. We are offering this heirloom estate for sale via a private offering through our attorney.  Agents will be protected.  Expect  no phony auctions or open houses  where unqualified curiosity seekers " breach the door" of   your exclusive new home. We would not  disrespect our home or its new potential owners in such a way.  We envision this offering to be done in a private and tasteful  way where  our potential buyers  come financially prequalified  with official documents from  your financial institution or attorney , or other  financial instruments that we mutually agree upon.  This landmark, on an  average, comes on  the market for purchase every 20 years, with one previous owner  living at 200 Ashland for 44 yrs !