The land on this southwest corner of South Washington and Fountain Streets was first owned by Sarah Hall, wife of James White Hall, one of the early commissioners of Havre de Grace in 1801-1803. Sarah left the lot to four siblings of the William B. Stokes family. In 1869, George C. Stokes and his wife, Emma, sold the property to Robert R. Vandiver (1808-1885), a prominent citizen who owned other properties in the city.

The property remained with the Vandiver family until the heirs of Murray Vandiver (son of Robert R. Vandiver) sold it in 1919 to Frederick C. Lawder (1877-1948) and Grace, his wife. Unfortunately, records do not indicate whether the Vandiver family or the Lawders built this house. It is most likely, however, that the Lawders built it because they constructed buildings on other land in the city and also built the house on the opposite corner of Fountain Street. The Lawders owned this through the deaths of Frederick Lawder, then Grace Lawder in 1964, then their son Edward Lawder in 1988, and finally through the death of their daughter-in-law Margaret Lawder in 2006, adding up to about 85 years in the same family.

In 2008, Melania Quinn moved to Havre de Grace, purchased this Colonial home, and went about a major restoration of it. The property received an award from the Havre de Grace Historic Preservation Commission in 2009. Melania established the home as a short- and long-term vacation rental house, called The Armitage. It has architectural moldings, built-in shelving, wood floors, ceiling fans, spa bathtub, Kennedy-style rocking chair, air-conditioning, and meticulous landscaping. On a corner lot, the wrap-around front porch and landscaping are eye catching. Melania shared ownership with D’Arcy F. Quinn, and they lived elsewhere in town. In 2019 the Quinns sold this corner property to Christopher and Laura Veety who now make their home here.

County Records
Built 1935. 1,784 sq ft, 2 stories, basement, 2.5 baths, detached garage, 5995 sq ft lot.