John Poole House, Poolesville, Maryland

The John Poole House (19923 Fisher Ave, Poolesville, Maryland) is the oldest building in Poolesville.  The log structure was built in 1793 by John Poole, Jr. served as a trading post for traveling merchants, and families from the surrounding farms and plantations, and was the U. S. Post Office “Poole’s Store, Maryland” from 1810. The General Store Museum furnishings are based on authenticated period inventories. The Museum Shop features antiques, collectibles, linen, wedding gifts, miniatures, notepaper, pottery, toys, books and local art.

The John Poole House and Museum Shop are open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5pm, weather permitting, and on other days by chance.  If you are planning to visit, please call ahead on that day to make sure that it is open:  301-972-8588.

The E.L. Stock, Jr. Memorial Arboretum is located at the John Poole House and Store Museum. Surrounding the log and frame cottage is a collection of trees, bushes, herbs and perennials indigous to western Montgomery County before 1850.

Edward L. Stock, Jr. designed the garden and was the major planter. Stock graduated from Cornell University in 1929 and came home to Bethesda to found Stock Brothers, Inc. nursery and landscaping company.  Ed's daughter, Mollie Stock, who has continued her father's landscaping business, serves as docent at the John Poole House and curator for the Arboretum.

The Arboretum is on the .83 acres which surrounds the John Poole House, the first building in Poolesville, Maryland.  Historic Medley purchased the Poole House in 1974.  The plants which were included in the Arboretum were  those brought here by the earliest settlers, and plants that were already part of the environment prior to the first settlers.  As such, the Stock's stock were hardy and reliable for use in today's home gardens.  Stock seached for these native plants in Sugarloaf Mountain woods, Potomac River banks, as well as the along the Cheasapeake and Ohio Canal.  He also consulted  with Montgomery County Men's Garden Club as well as the Director of the National Arboretum. 

Led by Luise Stevens, Historic Medley volunteers helped Stock to prepare the grounds and install his plantings.  New species are added every year to the original 37 plants. 

The Herb Garden of the Arboretum, was designed by Sue Macgregor and expanded by the herbalist, Kandi M. Bolton. The herb garden is divided into four parts: dye, culinary, fragrance, and medicinal. 

For more information please call 301-972-8588.

The John Poole House and surrounding grounds may be leased for parties or other events. Please email any inquiries info@historicmedley.org .