In November of 1857, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd married his childhood sweetheart Sarah Frances Dyer. Shortly after their union, Dr. Mudd and his new wife were given 218 acres of prime farmland called St. Catherine’s by Dr. Mudd’s father, Henry Lowe Mudd. Henry Mudd went on to commission the building of a house on the property for the new couple to live in. It took two years to construct the house but by 1859 the Mudds arrived in their new home. From that time up to the present, the Mudd family has maintained possession of the house. Today, the Mudd house is a private museum dedicated to Dr. Mudd and his descendants. The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum is open seasonally from early spring to late fall. Go here to visit the museum’s new website for more information.
The newest Picture Gallery here on BoothieBarn revolves around this historic house. Click the picture to visit the new Dr. Mudd House Picture Gallery!
LincolnConspirators.com 
I believe that I am correct that Ed Steers checked land records very carefully in researching for both His Name Is Still Mudd and then Blood on the Moon and found that Dr. Mudd’s father, Henry Lowe Mudd, retained title to the St. Catherine’s land until his death. This made Dr. Sam’s claims that he was interested in selling to Booth rather spurious since he didn’t own the land.
Also, early members of the Mudd Society always claimed that the house was built in 1837, despite what is written in Nettie Mudd Monroe’s book. Do you know if they have changed their stance yet?
Laurie,
I don’t know the answer to your question regarding the Mudd Society’s view on the age of the house. I went by Robert Summers book and, to me, he’s the Mudd expert. He trusts Nettie’s account of event.
I agree wholeheartedly with your statement that Bob Summers is an expert in the Mudd field. I enjoy his work because he takes a strict, analytical view of the history — with very little bias.
Agreed. Bob Summers and his book, “The Fall and Redemption of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd” are tremendous assets to the field. His research site is full of first hand accounts and letters, too.
I also meant to mention that your modern-day photos of the museum are excellent. You must have taken at least the outside shots the same day you posted them here because it was nice to see the color of the daylilies around the foundation, the rose bush in bloom in front, and the first lillies and hydrangeas inside on the parlor table. All are in bloom right now in Southern Maryland.
BTW: How did you manage to sneak photos of the interior? That has been verboten since year 1. Who did you make friends with? lol…
Well none of the pictures of the Mudd house were taken this month, but thank you for the compliment. If you click on each picture and look underneath it, I give the date it was taken if I can.
Also, getting pictures of the inside of the Mudd house depends on your guide. Some docents let me take pictures freely while others did not. I’ve gone enough times that I’ve managed to get all the interior shots I need.
Wonderful photos, Dave! I, too was wondering how you managed to get those grand interior shots….they are/have been in the past pretty tight about photo taking…. these are excellent!
I should have lied to you all and claimed I had a camera hidden inside one of my buttons or something. That would have made it seem more dramatic.
Glad to know that they are perhaps relaxing some of their restrictions on photography. Thanks.
Or maybe they just like me. 😀