The Cory House: A Queen Anne Jewel in College Park’s History

 

The Cory House: A Queen Anne Jewel in College Park’s History

When walking through the historic neighborhoods of College Park, Maryland, it is easy to get caught up in the modern energy of a bustling university town. But tucked away in the community sits The Cory House, a striking piece of the past built circa 1891.

As one of the oldest private residences in the area, this beautiful home stands as a living testament to the late 19th-century boom of Prince George's County. Here is the story behind this registered historic landmark.

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⏳ The Birth of a Neighborhood & The Professor’s Legacy

The Cory House was one of the very first homes built in the 1889 Johnson and Curriden subdivision, marking the earliest days of College Park's suburban development.

While it has stood for over 130 years, it takes its name from its most famous resident: Professor Ernest Cory.

• 1909: Cory graduates from the University of Maryland.
• 1926: He purchases the 1891 property, moves in, and kicks off a nearly 50-year residency.
• The Legacy: Cory went on to chair the university's Department of Entomology, added a major north wing to the house in 1926, and planted a massive, lush private garden on the grounds. He lived there until 1975.

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📐 Timeless Queen Anne Architecture

The home's architectural charm is a major reason it holds such high historical value. Built in the classic American Queen Anne style, the house features a cross-gabled frame.

Standing at 2½ stories tall, it currently boasts a unique double "T" design. Originally, it was built as a single "T" facing south, but Professor Cory’s 1926 renovation expanded the structure northward, creating the double "T" layout seen today.

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🛡️ Preserving a Piece of the Past

Today, The Cory House is an officially registered Prince George's County Historic Site. While it is still occupied as a private home and is not open to the public, local preservation efforts ensure its story lives on.

Though modern updates have been made—such as replacing the original wooden German siding with protective aluminum siding designed to mimic the authentic look—the spirit of the late 1800s remains perfectly intact. It stands as a beautiful reminder of the professors, pioneers, and architects who shaped College Park from the ground up.