Auction Of Johns Hopkins’ Birthplace Postponed, Legal Battle Continues In Gambrills: Reports

GAMBRILLS, MD - Johns Hopkins' childhood home was scheduled for auction this month in Anne Arundel County, but the auction was called off at the last minute. 

A report said a nonprofit has struggled to complete its purchase and restoration of Hopkins' birthplace. The Gambrills estate, located at 2173 Johns Hopkins Road, was built in 1780.

Alex Cooper Auctioneers, headquartered in Towson, said it planned to auction off the home on Aug. 15 at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County in Annapolis. 

Alex Cooper now lists the auction as canceled. 

The Capital reported that The Johns Hopkins House Inc., a nonprofit, purchased the 13-acre estate in March 2022 but also borrowed $168,000 from the property seller. Then Gov. Larry Hogan reserved $243,000 for the buyer to pay off the loan from the seller and finish the transaction. That state money was pending the buyer's completion of nonprofit paperwork and a state review. 

The Capital said the nonprofit hasn't completed those necessary documents, delaying the payout from the state and holding up the payment to the seller.

The Hopkins estate has been in foreclosure court since January, The Capital said, noting that both parties filed a notice on Aug. 14 to postpone the auction and try to settle their legal dispute.

Hopkins was born on the former plantation, known as Whites Hall, in 1795. He lived there until he moved to Baltimore at age 17.

Hopkins went on to found Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital.

To learn more about the nonprofit's attempt to retain its ownership, read The Capital's full story. That article is only available to subscribers of The Capital, however.

Anybody with an Anne Arundel County Public Library card can read the story by clicking here and searching "Whites Hall".

Related: Johns Hopkins' Childhood Home Heading To Auction In Anne Arundel County

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