In 1868, Henry Harrison Hopkins (1841-1895), a pharmacist by profession, built this Second Empire style home directly across the street from his parents’ home (Dr. Thomas Chew Hopkins and his wife, Priscilla) where he grew up. He built this on the remains of a home that was burned down during the War of 1812 (in May 1813). Henry Hopkins is believed to have been a cousin of Quaker philanthropist Johns Hopkins (1795-1873)—of Johns Hopkins Hospital and University fame. Henry Hopkins and his wife, Anne, had two daughters, Lillian and Eleanor Hopkins. Upon the death of their father in 1895, the daughters sold the property to Solomon T. Mitchell (1843-1921) and his wife, Anna.

Solomon Mitchell lived here for about 20 years before passing it to his daughter, Blanche Kinnier, in 1921 whose husband, Robert, died the following year. She raised her family in the house before selling it 25 years later to Dr. R. A. Follweiler. Dr. Follweiler opened his eye, ear, nose and throat practice in an office in the house in 1946. In 1983 Dr. Follweiler’s estate sold the house to Anthony “Tony” Barcelone (1938-1996) and Eugene R. “Gene” Unger (1937-2006), who spent about two years elaborately renovating and decorating it.

Tony Barcelone and Gene Unger opened their home to the 1985 Annual Candlelight Tour and loved to host elegant Christmas and 4th of July parties. The handsome formal dining room lay to the right from the entry. To the left was the parlor with its unusual domed recess, shades of gold in the embossed wallpaper and Chippendale sofa, and bisque and marble decorative pieces. Pastel stained-glass designs were in the door transoms as well as in a complete window at the end of a hall. Through the dining room was the newer part of the house with a modern kitchen and breakfast room with tangerine accents and skylights. They had added a sunny room overlooking a brick-walled “secret” garden entered through wrought iron gates. Rose-carpeted stairs led to the second floor where there were four bedrooms and a sitting room. The owners had used family possessions, paintings, ornate Strauss crystal chandeliers, and antique furniture to create a lavish décor.

To the surprise of many, in August 1990 Eugene Unger was arrested and charged with embezzling $6 million from a New Jersey savings and loan where he worked. “Eugene R. Unger 63, vice president, Fidelity Mutual in Westmont, New Jersey, bilked his thrift of some $6 million over 16 years. He covered his tracks by altering records and creating phony accounts.” [FORTUNE Magazine, “Favorite S&L Felonies,” Mark D. Fefer, et al. November 5, 1990.] In 1995 Gene died of heart failure while Tony died in a 1996-1997 New Year’s Eve auto accident.

Having been empty for a period of time, this historical house was sold at auction in 1994 to the current owner, Ron Browning, and a business partner. Ron was part owner of an antique shop, Eclections, and was familiar with some of the post-Civil War antiques in the house. Some of them came with the house but with restoration and additional antique collectibles, Ron turned the home into the finely appointed bed and breakfast inn named Le Cle D’Or (Key of Gold) Guest House.

This property received an award from the Havre de Grace Historic Preservation Commission in 2014 and continues to be owned by Ron Browning and run as Le Cle D’Or Guest House. For many years Ron has served the city as the chairperson of the Havre de Grace Historic Preservation Commission and is now Chairman of the Historic Havre de Grace Foundation.

County Records
Built 1868. 3246 sq ft, 2.5 stories, no basement, brick, 3 baths, attached garage, 5,550 sq ft lot.