Lexington Market in Baltimore City and Washington College in Kent County have both been “cooler than you since 1782.”
In 1782, John Eager Howard (of Revolutionary War fame) donated a portion of his family pasture land to be used as a market. That same year, Gen. George Washington lent his name and donated 50 guineas to founding Washington College (he also served on the first Board of Visitors and Governors).
At 239 years and counting, Lexington Market is the oldest continuously operating market in the United States and likely a place Washington visited while traveling to and from his Virginia estate and Philadelphia, America’s then-capital.
Washington College is the 10th-oldest college in the United States and was the first college chartered after American independence.
Next week, the nation will be celebrating what would be George Washington’s 289th birthday. Happy birthday, George! (if you’re a Washington College alum, like a couple of MACo staff and several MACo Past Presidents…that phrase might feel familiar to you!)
Do you have a fun fact to share about your county? If so, please send it to Allison Valliant to be featured in MACo’s weekly Fun Fact on Conduit Street.
