George Washington Purnell House

The George Washington Purnell House is a Greek Revival house in Snow Hill, Maryland, distinguished by classical columns and balanced facade proportions. The interior preserves original decorative woodwork that demonstrates the fine craftsmanship typical of the era.

The house was built around 1860 during a period of prosperity in Maryland's Eastern Shore communities. It earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 for its architectural significance from that era.

The house reflects how prosperous Maryland families wanted to present themselves in the 1800s, with its design showing their importance in the community. The careful arrangement of its front entrance and columns made a clear statement about the family's wealth and standing.

The house sits on East Market Street in Snow Hill and occupies a generous lot marked by a cast-iron fence along the street. The prominent location and clear address make it straightforward to locate and view from the public road.

The property extends across multiple acres, showing the generous land holdings that prosperous families controlled in this area during the 1800s. Large estates like this one were a significant measure of wealth and influence in the community at that time.