"The Material World of Eyre Hall presents an extensive history of the Eyre family from the 17th through the 21st century, offering a rare and fascinating insight into the preservation of a family home whilst also exemplifying the changing aspects of southern history through Eyre Hall's material culture. Featuring the work of 22 contributors this volume is composed of four main sections, which examine the historical and cultural significance of Eyre Hall and its associated objects. The first section traces the history of the Eyre family from the first generation who immigrated to the Eastern Shore from England in the 1640s through to current owner, Furlong Baldwin. The second describes the architecture of Eyre Hall and places its design and ornamentation in the context of other houses of the period in Chesapeake. The third explores the extensive formal garden extending to the north of the house. The fourth section comprises a catalogue raisonnâe of the material culture of Eyre Hall, including furniture, silver, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, books, musical instruments, bound sheet music, textiles, and miscellaneous objects. This volume also presents two family trees-one of the Eyre family; the other of the African Americans who worked at the house in the early 20th century-and four major maps, alongside stunning new color photography of the building, grounds, and catalogue pieces"--