Georgetown, Del., Sept. 29, 2009: The effort to preserve an 18th century piece of Sussex County’s history has earned a $5,000 boost from a national historical trust.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation this month awarded $5,000 to the Seaford Historical Society, which, in partnership with the Sussex County Land Trust and the Sussex County government, plans to restore the Cannon-Maston House north of Seaford. The 18th century brick farmhouse was built during the earliest colonization of the Chesapeake Bay region and now stands as one of the oldest structures in Sussex County.

County Preservation Planner Dan Parsons said the grant will help pay for a historic structure report, which would examine the house and its construction and then be used to determine the best way to restore it. That study will be performed beginning in October by the University of Delaware’s Center for Historic and Architectural Design, with assistance from the County.

“This is a great start, but it’s the first step in a long process,” Mr. Parsons said. “It’s important that with something of this magnitude and importance that the process is taken slowly to ensure it’s done correctly.”

In announcing the grant, National Trust Northeast Regional Office Director Wendy Nicholas said, “With these start-up dollars, Sussex County, Del., joins the hundreds of other communities across the country actively ensuring that America's architectural and cultural heritage is preserved.”

Built by Thomas Cannon in 1727, and expanded in 1733, the house and property it stands upon are located in what was, at the time, believed to be part of the Maryland colony. At the time of its construction, it was located in an area that was the eastern-most expanse of the Chesapeake colonization. In 1851, the property was sold to Halsey H. Maston, hence the name Cannon-Maston House. Most recently, it was owned by the Litchford family, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Sussex County government and the Land Trust teamed up to purchase the house and property last year. The Seaford Historical Society maintains it, and eventually plans to use it as an interpretive center for learning.

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