The land at 234 Main Street was part of Reister's Desire, the original tract owned by John Reister, founder of Reisterstown. In the l780s-l790s, Reister built three log houses on the 2½-acre lot and rented them to tenants, including one known as "the Englishman, Mr. Murray." By 1786,John Reister conveyed the property to his son Philip Reister, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who later managed his father's busy tavern. Located one day's journey from Baltimore, the tavern became an important stop for travelers and tradesmen journeying between western Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the port city. Built around 177 7, the Reister House stands today as one of the oldest surviving structures in Reisterstown and a rare example of the early stone architecture that shaped the town's beginnings. During its earliest years, the building operated as a tavern, offering food, lodging, and fellowship to weary travelers. More than just a roadside inn, the tavern served as a social and civic hub, where residents exchanged news, conducted business, and shared in community life. As a stopping point along the Reisterstown Turnpike, the tavern helped fuel the town's early growth and positioned Reisterstown as a hub of hospitality and commerce.
Following Philip's death in 1792, his widow Eve Gardner Reister continued managing the family's affairs and rented the log buildings to a kinsman, Abraliam Larsh. It is unclear whether Larsh incorporated the original logs into the present stone structure, but the existing building likely dates from shortly after ltls arrival, aro:und the late 1790s or early 1800s.
In 1815, Eve sold the property to John Sumwalt, a prosperous businessman and respected town benefactor. Sumwalt expanded the original house and made lasting contributions to the community by deeding parcels of land for public use, including a cemetery to the trustees of the High German Lutheran Church, land for a school which later became the site of the Reisterstown Public Library and his brick house to serve as a Methodist Church parsonage.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 234 Main Street had evolved into a boarding house, continuing its long tradition of hospitality. Rebeccajane Stocksdale operated the boarding house with the assistance of Minnie Baker, around 1905. The property had remained in the Stocksdale family for generations, and like many African American women of her era, Baker began as a domestic servant when other opportunities were closed to her. Through perseverance, she later achieved homeownership on Bond Avenue, a milestone that reflected the progress and resilience of Reisterstown's Black community.
As seen on our Heritage Walking Trails: https://www.reisterstown.com/heritage-trails/
234 Main Street has long been a place where Reisterstown's stories come alive. In 1995, Maggie and John Herman purchased the building, and Maggie's antique shop, "Things You Love", became a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.
The building was added to the RIA National Register Plaque Program in 2019. Reisterstown's Main Street was added to the national register by the US Department of the Interior in 1979.
For more information on our Historic Plaque program please visit: https://www.reisterstown.com/ria-national-register-plaque-program/
In September 2024, the Reisterstown Main Street Welcome Center and Museum relocated to the building. It now serves as a hub for community gatherings, organizational meetings, and programs that celebrate the town's history. Through events and initiatives, the space connects past & present, highlighting Reisterstown's heritage while supporting ongoing improvements along Main Street. Part of the Main Street Maryland Program since 2019, Reisterstown Main Street earned State and National Accreditation in 2024, recognizing the organization's dedication to preserving local history and keeping the community connected.
The Museum is open! Say hello to our friendly volunteers, check out the unique space filled with donations from local Reistertownians and see the brand new Welcome Center, created with you in mind. We’re still growing and always looking for ways to partner, whether it’s through volunteering your time or supporting the new museum with a Reisterstown relic to add to the expanding collection.
Stop in and be part of what’s next! Thursday through Saturday, 11am–2pm
Since John Sumwalt's death in 1847, 234 Main Street has passed through a succession of attentive and appreciative owners. One resident has made his presence known over the years:
Mr. Murray, an English man reportedly wanted by the law.
Visitors have often heard doors closing or footsteps descending the stairs. Despite his mysterious appearances, He seems to be a friendly spirit.. cheerfully evading the law that never caught up with him!
