The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance welcomes you to the
Handsell Historic Site – Celebrating 20 years!
Handsell in October 2021
It is time now for the 2026 annual Membership Renewal and Capital Campaign Support! Please join us!
The NHPA was formed in 2005 to purchase and restore one of Dorchester County, Maryland’s most interesting and intriguing historic structures, an old ivy-covered brick building located in the middle of what is known as “the Indiantown”. After just a little bit of research, we knew we were on to something BIG. As the layers of the story unfolded, through research in archives, deeds, Wills and historic family letters, a better yet not fully complete story emerged of Native people, licensed Indian traders, English settlers, British attacks, merchant activity and structural devastation. Much of the Handsell story is STILL a mystery, but it seems each day brings a little more light to this amazing, yet previously unknown saga of the Steele family’s mark on the Eastern Shore.
The “old brick house” at Chicone, known as Handsell, was purchased by the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance with a Preservation Easement from the Maryland Historic Trust. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, the site is now used to interpret the Native People’s contact period with the English, the enslaved and later African American story and the life of all those who lived at Handsell land grant and Indiantown area.
Recent News:
NEXT BIG EVENT AT HANDSELL:
Battle of Vienna (a.k.a. Nanticoke River Jamboree)- Saturday August 29, 2026. In partnership with the Vienna Heritage Society. Military encampment, music, food trucks, colonial craftspeople, children’s games and more! Return soon for the link and QR code for advance sale tickets to day time event and special “Meet the Military” dinner (advanced tickets ONLY).
The Pocomoke Indian Nation will join us to offer the perspective of the Indigenous People of the Revolutionary cause.
Purchase Advance Sale tickets HERE
QR CODE for Tickets:
Battle of Vienna Ticket Sales
There is much here to learn about and see. So please stay awhile, explore our pages and get to know us! Also please consider purchasing Handsell–Three Cultures One Story, the history of the Handsell land grant and the people who have inhabited this area. Written by Margaret W. Ingersoll, NHPA Founding Trustee, after 20 years of research, the book is now available on Amazon.com
Make a Donation today using the QR Code above: Thank you for your support!
I was directed to you website by a piece of literature regarding the “Voices of Indiantown”. The website is very good, but I didn’t know who “NHPA” was…the first sentence immediately started talking about NHPA. It may simply be a matter of spelling out Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance in the very first sentence, followed by the initials?? It wasn’t until much later in the text that it was spelled out. I fully support the project and I think the website contains valuable information to solicit support. My comment is strictly constructive, for others who may visit the site. Best of luck in all of your efforts.
Yes, how can I view a copy of the, “Voices of Indiantown” documentary? I live in Dallas, TX and am willing to buy a copy. Please advise.
Thanks,
Karen Shaw
When the DVDs are available for distribution, we will post the details on our website. Thank you for your interest, please check back later.
NHPA Board
Hi NHPA, I was waiting for the viewing of “Voices….” at the Caroline County Library and then at the last minut was unable to attend. So, I’m delighted to see that it is available to the public. I would like to order a copy. Please send an order form and I’ll fill it out ASAP. On the other hand I guess I could put a check in the mail and beat the rush.
I’m looking forward to seeing the product of your efforts.
Michael
Hello,
Does anyone have information or resources about the history of Petersburg, Maryland? If you know of any websites, please forward.
Thanks,
Karen
My wife and I attended my family (JACKSON) reunion at the Handsell Home. I would like to thank all of the volunteers responsible for their work in preserving this historic site for all to enjoy. My wife and I would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Midge Ingersoll, Mr. Myerhoff, and the other volunteers for their efforts, wonderful knowledge, and time. This was a remarkable event.
My grandfather and his parents were natives of Vienna in the 1800s. How do I get a list of the names of the slaves that were working at the Handsell House? I’m almost certain that Samuel Chase, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and signer of the Declaration of independence representing Maryland, was my ancestor, because my great grandfathers name is also Samuel Chase.
Kevin, I will email you later today. We do have some Chase information, hope it helps your search.
I am the author of The Treasure of dead Man’s Chest. In the story, I claimed to have found a 70 page Royal Admiralty Navy transcript at the House of Lords Reading Room in London, England in 1982. In the story, the antagonist is Joshua Smoot, and one of the sea captains is named Henry Steele. I got an expectant phone call from your researcher, Margaret Ingersol with questions about those two characters. I am so sorry to inform your group that those two characters do not exist other than in my novel. I did not travel to England, there is no 70 page transcript, and most of what is contained in The treasure of Dead Man’s Chest is fiction.
Sorry. Authors lie.
Might you consider putting the House’s address on your website?
Teri, thank you for your message. The address and directions to the site can be found by clicking “Directions’ on the Main Menu. 4837 Indiantown Rd., Vienna MD 21869. Come see us soon,
NHPA Trustee
Wonderful completed part of history…thank you to all volunteers!
Thanks for the encouragement! Volunteers need it especially now. Please come see us October 9 at the Nanticoke River Jamboree.
My name is Koketa Pinder my grandfather was Bernard Pinderand my great grandmother was Mahalia G Pinder I can’t find any information about her
Koketa,
Please send me your grandparents birth and death dates if your know them. Were they born in Maryland, and did they live here? I’ll try to help if I can.
Margaret
i AM A NATIVE OF DORCHESTER, i HAD HEARD OF HANDSELL BUT TODAY WAS MY FIRST DAY TO TOUR THE SITE. THE PRESENTATION REGARDING THE ENSLAVED PERSONS WAS VERY INSPIRING TO ME, a BIG THANK YOU TO TRUSTEE SHIRLEY JACKSON, WHO GREW UP IN THE INDIANTOWN AREA, FOR HER HARD WORK THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU ALL HAVE DONE TO PRESERVE THIS HISTORY OF THREE CULTURES.
Hello. I have done extensive research on my dad’s side of the family related to his mother, my grandmother Eula Harris. She was a decedent of the Puckham Bookram family. We are Nanticoke and I would love to receive any information on Elias Puckham/Bookram and any other info related to my ancestors.
Thank you so much.
Hello. I am a decedent of the Puckham Bookram family. We are Nanticoke and I would love to receive any information on Elias Puckham/Bookram and any other info related to my ancestors.
Thank you so much.
Edina,
Thanks for the inquiry.
We have not located any individuals with the names you suggest that are connected to Handsell. However, I will pass your question to a few others who may know more. In the meantime, I can do a search for Eula Harris if you send me her dates and birthplace.
Wanishi
Margaret
NHPA Trustee
My wife is interested in sultering and I’d like to have my MD boundaries display at the Jamboree event. My wife & I have have participated im past Jamborees but seem to have been dropped from the email list. I am a descendant of Christopher Nutter. Thank you