The mansion was home to English settler Harry Dorsey Gough in the 18th century. Gough was a wealthy man who often hosted boisterous parties and gatherings. One of the legends, the one that makes most sense to me, has it that Gough invited a Methodist group to his house. After the party Gough went to see some of his guests off. When he returned, he saw his wife Prudence and one of the slave men together. He brutally beat Prudence, murdered the slave, and tortured the others.
Although graphic, this story shows historical and cultural contexts including religion, racism, and sexism. The Perry Hall mansion is of historical importance in my hometown as well as an icon for the curiosity of the town's inhabitants.
Places such as this need to be preserved because they hold such historical importance.This mansion and its property were the beginning of what is now Perry Hall. The mansion should be preserved not only for that reason but also because it is a popular haunted attraction, just like the many haunted castles in Europe. For, as all Perry Hall teenagers know, it is a right of passage to attempt a "B&E" at the mansion to find out what ghostly inhabitants await those who dare to enter.
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Places such as this need to be preserved because they hold such historical importance.This mansion and its property were the beginning of what is now Perry Hall. The mansion should be preserved not only for that reason but also because it is a popular haunted attraction, just like the many haunted castles in Europe. For, as all Perry Hall teenagers know, it is a right of passage to attempt a "B&E" at the mansion to find out what ghostly inhabitants await those who dare to enter.
Word Count: 223
Kati- I love the way you wound the story together and drew me into the tale. I can't see how any young person growing up in Perry Hall could resist visiting this place. I think second sentence in your last paragraph should be moved up to the previous paragraph.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a really good job at introducing the story behind the mansion, especially because even though I have heard of the mansion, I honestly didn't know the story myself.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this place but the way you told the story was so interesting. I loved how you tied it to history by saying it shows the issues of religion, racism and sexism. To add more, maybe you could share a part your experience of going there?
ReplyDeleteThe B&E thing still confuses me even though I remember you telling me it means breaking and entering.
ReplyDeleteI think that even though you didn't start the blog saying that "Perry Hall Mansion needs to be preserved", it was more creative to write it the way you did.
& for your hyperlink on the official blog, maybe you could find a link to the different stories you've heard? :D
This is interesting because I'm from Parkville/White Marsh and I've never heard of this. I guess I have to check it out...
ReplyDeleteThis place seems so intriguing! Great job with your introduction on the history of the place. Without reading a previous comment, I wouldn't know what "B&E" means, so possibly put that into parenthesis? In your second paragraph, maybe you could think about rewording "the one that makes more sense to me" to something that is less personal. Like "The legend that makes the most sense to the haunting reports has it..."
ReplyDeleteGreat place! Your essay was super interesting but in the sentence "One of the legends, the one that makes most sense to me, has it that Gough invited a Methodist group to his house" i think it would sound better if you took out "the one that makes most sense to me." That sentence kind of threw me off but everything else flowed pretty well.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you wrote your essay! It's creative, but it gets to the point. I completely understand why you think this place is so important. However, I also think that the "B&E" reference is a bit confusing. I think you should elaborate on that a bit more, but, overall, it's really good.
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