rackliff house

Rackliff House is located on the "Mainland" as you go to Asseteague National Seashore. The house is the former home of an 1780's sea captain and trader. Many of the elements of the home date to this period but, as the house remained an active dwelling into the 1960s and had been heavily modified over its life this is actually much more of a reconstruction than the actual original dwelling. Unlike many historic homes there was no inventory of furniture or fixtures so how to furnish it has been guess work based on other homes of the era. Some rooms are relatively bare. Others are used as museum space for exhibits. The restoration failed to also take into account common practices of 18th and 19th century homes. In homes of this era one would expect to see registers that would have allowed warm air to rise from the floors below, there are none here. Docents do dress and period and while they know relatively little about the family they do know a lot about the period. While not quite what I would have hoped for it still is a pleasant way to spend a part of an afternoon.

Enjoyed the tour thru the house. This was a very informative tour and enjoyed the kitchen and milk house talk. Since I had grown up on a small farm, butter making and candle making was a walk down memory lane. Would suggest driving to the house - walking path appears quite long.

Excellent condition in this colonial home. The history is very interesting. Not much time is needed to go through the house or explore the grounds, but very much enjoyed our visit there. The home is located near the Assateague Visitor's Center. Park in the parking lot there and take a short walk back in the brush to the home. A great way to learn about colonial coastal living.

Wonderful and educational, the tour is lead by multiple very informed guides. The restoration is incredible, the tour is not overly long and gives a great history of both the house and the people who lived in it. My three teens (13, 14 and 15) liked all the information on the local Indian Tribes found on the second floor. The grounds were very nice as well.

Rackliffe House, near the Maryland edge of Assateague Island, is a restored eighteenth century coastal plantation house. You can hear the surf from the front door. The interpreters tell the story of seaside life centuries ago. Stop at the new Assateague Island Visitors' Center while you're here.