The following brief history traces Belmont from its origins as one of Maryland’s grandest estates to its combined use today as a conference center and an educational and cultural resource.
1738
Caleb Dorsey marries Priscilla Hill and builds Manor House, where they rear six daughters and three sons
1772
Caleb dies and his son, Edward Dorsey, inherits property and expands the family’s holdings
1815
Property transfers to Edward Dorsey’s daughter, Priscilla, and her husband, Alexander Hanson. Priscilla names the estate Belmont.
1819
Alexander Hanson dies at age 33, leaving Priscilla with considerable debt
1875
Property is sold at sheriff’s auction for $25
1917
Property transfers to Dorsey descendant, Mary Bowdoin Bruce, and her husband, Howard Bruce
1920's
The Bruces raise race horses and host fox hunts. Famed racehorse Billy Barton wins Maryland Hunt Cup in 1926 and places second in Aintree Grand National in 1928.
1927
Swimming pool, the oldest in Howard County, is built
1949
Dobbin House is built as a wedding gift to Bruce ’s
daughter
1961
Howard Bruce dies and the property passes to cousin
David Bruce
1964
Smithsonian Institution purchases Belmont, which consists of 350 acres, for about $500,000 with funds that were believed to have been provided by an anonymous donor.
1983
Smithsonian divides Belmont and sells 268 acres to the state at $4,200 per acre for a total of $1,125,600. Smithsonian donates historical and scenic easements to the Maryland Historical Trust. American Chemical Society (ACS) purchases the remaining Belmont estate (68 acres) and Dobbin House (13 acres). Smithsonian negotiates an easement for an access road at the rear of Belmont through the state park onto Landing Road.
2004
Howard Community College (HCC) Educational Foundation purchases Belmont. HCC continues to operate conference center and begins to develop plans for academic programs at Belmont.
