Archives

Hampton’s archives provide a treasure trove of historical information about all phases of life on the Hampton estate across three centuries. Members of the Ridgely family left rich documentary evidence of their lives and all who lived and labored on the Hampton estate and in the world beyond. In addition to these, NPS Resource Management Records (1945-c.2010) document the park’s operation, preservation of resources and programmatic activities. For further information on the specific collections visit the Finding Aids for Hampton NHS Archives. A Comprehensive Guide to Collections (1664-1990) brings together all known collections of Ridgely and Hampton related papers in several major repositories in a single index. Related collections can also be found offsite.

 

Passport issued to John Ridgely prior to the two-year trip to Europe (1846-1848).

NPS

Highlights of Hampton's Archival collection includes:

• A shipping ledger (1765-1773) of Capt. Charles Ridgely listing the extensive cargos his mercantile business was importing from England to Baltimore.
• A $10,000 wager (1809) on Post Boy, Gov. Charles Carnan Ridgely’s champion racehorse, which would have been worth about half a million dollars today.
• 1829 estate records of Governor Ridgely which include inventories listing nearly 350 enslaved workers.
• A record titled “CHRISTMAS GIFTS of the Colored Children of Hampton, given by E. Ridgely,” 1841-1854, given to the enslaved children.
• A passport issued to John Ridgely prior to the two-year trip to Europe (1846-1848) with his wife Eliza and two teenage children.
• Documents related to Treaty of Versailles negotiations ending World War I; papers of diplomat Henry White