Rackliffe House

0 miles
Closed
  • Sunday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Tuesday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Thursday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Rackliffe House: Assateague's New Coastal Heritage Center

Visitors to Assateague State Park have a new opportunity to learn about colonial life along Maryland's coast when they visit historic Rackliffe House. Rackliffe, overlooking Sinepuxent Bay, is a beautifully restored 18th-century coastal plantation house located at the end of Tom Patton Lane, just a half-mile hike from the Assateague Island Visitor Center.

The late Tom Patton, founding President of the Rackliffe House Trust, envisioned the House as a site for coastal heritage interpretation. The Trust, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Assateague State Park, has raised more than $800,000 for the restoration of Rackliffe House and the archeological investigation of the surrounding property. The Trust is now operating the structure and surrounding three acres of property as a Coastal Maryland Heritage Center. The plantation house is reportedly the only one of its kind and vintage in the Mid-Atlantic region that is open to the public.

The vast majority of the funds raised have been used to complete the restoration of the notable coastal Maryland colonial residence and attached kitchen wing. The Trust is currently working to complete the restoration of the historic milk house and construction of a Colonial-style outbuilding to house a fire suppression system. Funds are being raised to develop an interpretation and landscaping plan.

Rackliffe House is open to tours May - October on Tuesdays ad Thursdays.

Visitors may hike to Rackliffe House any day between dawn and dusk to view the House exterior and explore the grounds. Visitors are asked to park in the lot for the new Assateague Island Visitor Center and walk to the House along Tom Patton Lane. New hiking trails are being created by Assateague State Park that will offer a more scenic path to Rackliffe House.

Recent Reviews

Rackliffe House
Sherelle “relle” : 5 on 8/5/2025 2:48 pm
I have an appreciation for history; the hood and bad. Rackcliffe House was chucked gill of history and artifacts. This was a hidden gem right near the Verrazano Bridge and behind the visitor center in Berlin, MD. The staff was helpful, sweet, and knowledgeable. There is outdoor grass parking, you get a passport for other local historical places.
5 5
Rackliffe House
Suzanne Lemieux : 5 on 10/2/2025 12:49 am
While visiting the Assateague Island Visitor Center in Maryland, I decided to take a tour of the Rackliffe House based on the National Park Ranger’s recommendation. I’m so glad I took the tour. The docents did an amazing job filling me in on the Rackliffe family’s historical timeline and artifacts. I learned so much from the docents and really enjoyed the experience.
5 5
Rackliffe House
Yvette Nicholson : 5 on 8/8/2025 11:26 am
Lovely visit back in time. They had a scavenger hunt for my 3 kiddos to complete. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and patient with all my kiddos' questions. A nice way to spend some time while visiting Assateague!
5 5
Rackliffe House