William Paca House & Garden
4.6(569)google
3.7(29)yelp
Historic BuildingHistoryGuided TourgardenPhoto SpotEducational
Overview
The William Paca House (at one time known as Carvel Hall) is an 18th-century Georgian mansion in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. Founding Father William Paca was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and a three-term Governor of Maryland. The house was built between 1763 and 1765 and its architecture was largely designed by Paca himself.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM –5:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeLate spring through early summer (May to June) is the absolute best time to visit, as the two-acre 18th-century English wilderness garden is in full bloom. Mid-afternoon between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM offers beautiful angled sunlight that accentuates the Georgian brick architecture and manicured terraces.
Getting ThereLocated at 186 Prince George Street in historic Annapolis, it is easily reachable on foot from the harbor. Alternatively, you can ride the complimentary Annapolis Downtown Shuttle to the stop near State Circle and take a brief 3-minute stroll down to the historic property entrance.
Travel Tips
- The terraced two-acre garden features uneven gravel and cobblestone pathways; standard strollers and wheelchairs struggle significantly, requiring detours via designated accessible ramps.
- Interior access is strictly limited to hourly guided tours capped at 15 participants; weekend afternoon slots typically sell out completely on-site before 11:00 AM.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The timber trellis bridge at the north end provides the definitive vantage point for architecture reflections; photograph between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to avoid harsh midday shadows.
Reviews
Positive
- A hidden gem in downtown Annapolis; the docents are phenomenal, highly informative, and tell the gripping history of this signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- The historic preservation of the interior is amazing, particularly the striking Prussian Blue walls that offer an authentic glimpse into colonial lifestyle.
- The two-acre formal garden is a peaceful haven from the bustling city, beautifully designed with terraced lawns, brick paths, and scenic historic structures.
- The admission fee is very reasonable, especially considering it includes an insightful 40 to 50-minute guided house tour led by a live docent.
Heads up
- Some tour guides can feel overly scripted and unengaging, rattling off historical facts mechanically which makes the tour disappointing.
- The beauty of the garden is highly seasonal; if you visit in mid-to-late June or late autumn when the flowers are gone, the grounds can look bare.
- As an authentic historic house, it lacks modern accessibility infrastructure like elevators, making upstairs rooms impossible to reach for mobility-impaired guests.
- The attraction has no dedicated parking lot; visitors must find and pay for spaces in public parking garages several blocks away and walk over.