On the north side of West Church street on lot 119 of the original lot map drawn by Otho Holland Williams sits a lovely green-sided house with white trim and black shutters. The home is fashioned in the Second Empire style, a rare architectural style in Williamsport. There are less than a half dozen Second Empire buildings in town. The most notable are the Hurd Building at the corner of Conococheague and Potomac and the building now Bay Farms Bed and Breakfast at 14 N Conococheague. However, the architecturally significant house didn't begin its life as we know it today. It was built as a charming log cottage and, over the years, expanded to the lovely house it is today.
In 1823 Joseph Hollman was prospering. That same year he signed a 99-year lease with Edward Green Williams for lot 119 with the standard terms to build a house and erect a fence. This lease proves Hollman was the first owner to build on this lot. Hollman owned a construction business that was working on the in-progress C&O Canal.
His firm built Dam #4 and several locks between Harpers Ferry and the Williamsport vicinity. He was a war veteran of the War of 1812 and owner of the Globe Tavern near the intersection of Salisbury and Conococheague [for more information on Hollman and his family, please refer to the Startzman House published July 27th]. Hollman, in addition to the many other aforementioned endeavors, was heavily involved in real estate. He owned several properties around town and built small but charming log houses to rent. Joseph likely rented to the workers and their families, which he employed for his various businesses.
Hollman owned the house and lot until 1854 when his estate sold the property to Henry Stinemetz for $150. The Stinemetz Family was an old Washington County Family. Henry was born in Hagerstown in 1792. In 1816 he married Elizabeth Spickler. The couple had at least six children. As Henry retired, he and Elizabeth decided to purchase the old log house on West Church and expand it. They added an entire second floor and enlarged the ell. The house was sold in 1874 to a reported descendant of Henry and Elizabeth.
The Read Family purchased the home for $1,024, proving substantial improvements had been made. Sometime during the nearly fifty years the Read/Reed Family owned the home, the mansard roof and third floor were added to give the house its current, fashionable appearance. Descendants of Henry and Elizabeth Stinemetz would own the old home until 1971, when it left the family. The family had owned and loved the house for almost 100 years.
Over the next few decades, the old homestead was showing its age and in desperate need of repair. Charles "Junior" Brown Jr. , one of our esteemed councilmen, grew up close by and wanted to see the lovely old home fixed up. He purchased the house and lot and began to restore and save the historic place.
Bobby and Lyn Miller were looking for a house in Williamsport where Bobby had grown up, and Lyn's mother now lives. Through their friendship with Junior Brown, the Millers struck a deal for Lyn and Bobby to purchase the home. Together they worked to decide the design and finishes that best suited them while respecting the historic architecture. Historic mantles were saved, the original staircase restored, and the original 1823 stone basement repointed. Original hand-hewn logs can still be seen in the cellar from when Hollman built the house in 1823. Beautiful porches were added/restored at both the front and back. Lyn, Bobby, and their son Zack enjoy many evenings on these porches enjoying their restored home.
Because of people like Lyn and Bobby Miller, Junior Brown, and others, we still have these important, historic structures to help tell the story of our past. In an age where everything moves so quickly, and everyone wants "new", we are lucky to have property owners that still care about our architectural history. This house is nearly 200 years old and again stands proudly to grace our streets for generations to come. Williamsport is grateful for their stewardship. Williamsport's history is important and should be protected.
