A 1901 Sohmer & Co. grand piano, which survived a devastating hotel fire in 1956, has found a new home at the St. Mary’s County Historical Society. The historic instrument, once a centerpiece at the St. Mary’s Hotel and later in the home of the prominent Abell family, was donated by Jenny Abell-McCabe, whose grandparents, Adelaide and B. Kennedy Abell Sr., owned the hotel.
The piano was officially welcomed to the historical society on Nov. 21 during a small ceremony at Tudor Hall, the society’s headquarters. “It’s a piece of Leonardtown and St. Mary’s history,” said Peter LaPorte, executive director of the historical society. “It’s not just a piano, it represents a different time and era, and for that reason alone we’re proud to have it.”
The piano’s story is intertwined with a dramatic chapter in Leonardtown’s history. On the morning of June 8, 1956, a fire broke out at the St. Mary’s Hotel. Kennedy Abell Jr., Jenny’s father and the chief of the Leonardtown Fire Department, was among the first responders. Due to complications with the water supply, firefighters had to relay water hand-to-hand up a hill from the nearby Leonardtown Wharf.
The fire caused extensive damage, with a headline in the June 14, 1956 edition of The Enterprise reading, “Suspect Wiring in Hotel Fire.” Despite the $75,000 in damages and three injuries, the piano miraculously survived the blaze. The hotel was destroyed, but the piano remained intact and was later moved to the Abell family home, where it was cherished for the next 68 years.
“The piano became a beloved part of our family,” Abell-McCabe shared. “It was a place for music, where family and friends gathered to play during holidays. I learned to play the piano there, and it always brought life to the room.”
After the death of Kennedy Abell Jr. in 2022, his daughter sought a new home for the piano but faced difficulties. “I couldn’t bear the thought of it ending up in a dump,” she said. “The living rooms of today are not made for such large pianos.”
Initially, the St. Mary’s County Historical Society had declined the donation, as they frequently receive offers for various items but have limited space. However, after a discussion among society members, they decided to accept the piano. “Jenny was so sincere, and we realized this piano was too special to let go,” LaPorte explained.
Though the fire had left the piano in rough condition, a grant from the Leonardtown Arts & Entertainment Council enabled the historical society to have it cleaned and restored. Steve Winger of Steve’s Music Service, who tuned the piano, was impressed by its resilience. “I was surprised it even played, given what it’s been through,” Winger said. “But it sounded great for its age and condition—no repairs were needed.”
At the ceremony, Ellynne Brice Davis, a local writer for Southern Maryland News, played the piano, delighting attendees with its restored sound. The 123-year-old piano also features genuine ivory keys and a stool with glass feet, adding to its historic charm.
“I can’t express how much this means to our family,” said Abell-McCabe. “It’s not just a family treasure, but a piece of Leonardtown’s history. We are so grateful.”
The piano will be on public display at the St. Mary’s County Historical Society’s open house on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Tudor Hall, located at 41680 Tudor Place in Leonardtown.
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