The History of Friends

Clifton was initially home to Captain Henry Thompson, military hero, merchant, farmer. It later became the summer residence of early Quaker philanthropist Johns Hopkins, who in founding The Johns Hopkins University, Hospital and Medical School transformed higher education, medicine and Baltimore. His Italianate villa thus embodies the spirit of civic engagement that is at the center of American progress and prosperity.

Friends of Clifton Mansion was formed in 1996 by the late Samuel Hopkins whose great Grandfather was a brother of Johns Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins was a long-time partner at the old Alex Brown & Sons firm and was incredibly involved in civic and charitable work in Baltimore for many years until his death in 2008. Mr. Hopkins was a great supporter of Baltimore’s Park system and served as President, Vice-President and a Director of the city’s Board of Recreation and Parks from 1965 to 1977.

In 1996, Samuel Hopkins determined that the efforts to save the Clifton Mansion from further decay required a dedicated organization to assume the leadership role. On July 29, 1996, Friends of Clifton Mansion was formed. Mr. Hopkins four sons are current Board members; his son Henry is the President and his son Fred is the Secretary.

Friends of Clifton Mansion’s sole purpose is to support the restoration of Clifton Mansion, its grounds and other remaining structures such as the Gardener’s Cottage as well as establishment there of exhibits and/or a museum of philanthropy commemorating Maryland philanthropists and their roles in the development of modern American philanthropy for the benefit of all.

Since 1996, Friends has worked with Civic Works to save and rehabilitate the Mansion. Civic Works with the help of Friends completed a major renovation of the Mansion in 2014 which included, among other things, repairing the roof, installing a new HVAC geothermal system, plumbing and electrical, installing an elevator and repainting the outside.

After the completion of the restoration, Friends, in cooperation with Civic Works embarked on a world class restoration of the Mansion which continues to this day. To date the Friends of Clifton Mansion has funded and managed the restoration of the Tower, the Samuel and Anne Hopkins Grand Stairwell, the Dining Room, the Reception Area and the South Lawn. Most recently, Friends has stabilized the Gardener’s Cottage and is funding an archaeological dig on the property in preparation for a full-scale restoration of this facility. Since 1996 Friends has expended more than 4 million dollars to achieve these historic restorations.

Board

Henry H. Hopkins, President

Johns Hopkins, Vice President

Frederick M. Hopkins, Secretary

Eben D. Finney III, Treasurer

Nelson Bolton

Jea Chapman

John Ciekot

Thomas G.B. Finney

James E.T. Hopkins (deceased)

Robert B. Hopkins

Samuel Hopkins (deceased)

Samuel B. Hopkins

C. Tilghman Levering (deceased)

Joseph Ames Thompson

Dana Stein

Chris Wilson

Our Team

Friends was fortunate to be able to organize a remarkable team to plan and execute these restorations. But for their skill and remarkable contributions to the various projects, Friends would not have been able to accomplish what it has to date.

Restoration Team

Thomas McCracken, Project Management

Vincent Greene: Architectural Design

Henry P. Johnson, Interior Design

Gordon Hayward, Landscape Design

Thomas Moore, Material and Art Conservation

Matthew J. Mosca, Historic Materials Analysis

John Ciekot, Liaison, Baltimore Civic Works

Archeology, Jason Shellenhamer of RK & K

Restoration Specialists

Architecture - Vincent Greene Architects

Art Installation - John Paul Kramer

Building Stabilization - Tyler Tate of Lewis Contracting

Carpet - Langhorne Carpet Company

Carpet Installation - Dan Gaugher of Prism Handcrafted Rugs

Cornelli Lace Panels - Christine Buhr

Curtains - Steve Wilhide of Wilhide Draperies Inc.

Decorative Painting, Conservation and Restoration - Thomas Moore Studios

Doors & Finial Restoration - Walter Raynes

Enameled Glass - Kirk Weaver of Pittsburgh Stained Glass

Enameled Glass - Adam Smith of Pittsburgh Stained Glass

Engineering - Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger

Furniture - Alan Ibello, Ibello Upholstery

Furniture - Alton Peoples, Ibello Upholstery

Garden Design - Gordon Haywood of Haywood Garden Design

Interior Design - Henry Johnson of Johnson|Berman

Landscape Design - Gordon Hayward of Haywood Garden Design

Landscape installation - Roland Harvey of Natural Concerns

Masonry - Federal Masonry Restoration

Ornamental Plastering - Hayles and Howe

Paint Analysis - Matthew Mosca

Refinishing & Carpentry - C & H Restoration and Renovation LLC

Woodworking Restoration - Walter Raynes, Cabinetmaker

Mixed Media Team

Graphic Design - Victoria Kaak

Graphic Design - Lisa Pupa

Photography - Erik Kvalsvik

Social Media Management & Marketing - Jode Walzer Watkins

Video and Photography - Harllove Studios