Loats Female Orphan Asylum

Now home to the Historical Society of Frederick County, this Federal Flemish bond brick mansion was once home to an asylum for female orphans in the city of Frederick, Maryland.

Originally built in 1824 by Dr. John Baltzell for his wife Ruth, it first served as their residence and Dr. Baltzell’s medical practice. Records indicate that eight enslaved people lived on the property including a woman named Hester Diggs and her three children, who would have tended the garden.

In 1854, Colonel Alexander Baird Hanson purchased the property from Dr. Baltzell’s estate. He added an annex over top of the Maxwell Alley basement access to house his son-in-law’s law practice. Hanson lived on the property until 1871.

That same year, John Loats moved into the house. Although he only lived in the house for eight years until his death, his legacy lasted almost 75 more years. Loats was a childless widower who stipulated in his will that the house be incorporated as the Loats Female Orphan Asylum of Frederick City.

Starting in 1882 and running until 1956, the house served as an asylum for orphaned girls. In 1912, the name was changed to Loats Female Orphan Home. During that time, more than 150 girls lived, played, and did chores in the house and garden, and around the spacious rear and side yards. The orphanage closed in 1956.

In 1959, the building became home to the Historical Society of Frederick County.  The rear part of the property became the Heritage Garden, designed and planted by the Garden Club of Frederick in 1961.

Today, the building houses The Museum of Frederick County History, presenting exhibits from the Colonial period through the present day.