Hampton Supporters Launch Arts Initiative

It may not be quite what the Ridgelys had in mind for a Friday night party in their time, but a group of Hampton mansion supporters are planning a series of events to raise awareness of Towson's national historic site.

The Hampton Arts Initiative kicks off at tonight with an art show, Celtic music and a book debut party.

"We thought it would be an exciting way to get artists to rediscover Hampton, that it's an exciting place to come and be inspired," said Judy Cohen, managing director of Historic Hampton.

The former Ridgely family slave plantation, built in 1745, was designated a historic site in 1948.

The arts initative is an extention of several arts events held at the historic site in recent years, including string concerts. Historic Hampton recieved an impact grant from the National Park Foundation to form the arts initiative.

The arts, Cohen said, are a perfect avenue to engage younger generations and new donors to support the 62-acre historic site.

Artists, she said, "are the perfect types of people to get people motivated, involved, connected."

The event tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. will include the Celtic group Magical Strings playing in the mansion's great hall and Elizabeth and Barton Cockey, authors of Baltimore County: Historical Reflections and Favorite Scenes.

Proceeds benefit Historic Hampton and the Baltimore County Historical Trust. For more information, visit the arts initiative's website.