Written By Anne Blue

“RUN!” IS RON SCHMIDT’S IMMEDIATE ADVICE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN RESTORING AN OLD HOME.

But the same man who encourages people to run stuck with a renovation project that begins another chapter for one of Westminster’s most prestigious, historic homes.

Often called “The Hahn House,” 97 West Green Street is now Ron and Debbie Schmidt’s home – a newly renovated, brightly lighted, elegant home that they hope will stay in the family for generations.

The Schmidts never had any intention to move from their former home of 25 years, but as Debbie walked through the old house that had seen better days, she had a gut feeling that she and Ron should take on this project.

Ron went through the house with paper and pen, listing all that would need to be updated. Using the years of experience in his construction business, R.M. Schmidt Heating and Air, Ron quickly put together a budget for the purchase and renovations. The price tag included $535,000 for the purchase and an initial estimate of $130,000 for renovations. Debbie drew on her many years of experience working in interior design.

Between their purchase date in September 2004 and their move-in date in December of the same year, the Schmidts put in countless hours coordinating contractors and working on the renovations themselves. For many years, the upstairs of the home had been divided into rental rooms used to house students from what was then, Western Maryland College.

With the help of local contractors, the Schmidts tore out walls that were not original to the structure, ripped up old carpets, updated electric wiring, tore out an upstairs kitchen, put in an additional bathroom, stripped wall paper, repainted and much more.

Each room in the house is unique, from the straw-colored walls and deep reds of the new built-in bookcases in Ron’s study, to the cheerful yellows and blues used in the sun-filled dining room. Sleek, earth-colored marble and tile work add elegance to the new master bath, and bird-patterned wall paper lures the outdoors into the master bedroom.

Throughout the house there is one unifying motif: animals. Stone lions flank the front steps. One bedroom, which Debbie created for the grandchildren, sports green and cream striped wallpaper and a table set for children’s tea; a giant teddy bear keeps watch over this cheerful room. Embroidered dogs adorn the pillows in Ron’s study; his mother’s fish plates and a ceramic fish adorn the dining table.

The redecorated home boasts soaring ceilings on both floors, seven fireplaces, a central hall separating a double living room to one side and a study and dining room with its own adjoining wet bar to the other side. The cozy kitchen and den area at the back of the house exudes warmth with its natural wood paneling and low-beamed ceiling.

Where possible, the Schmidts saved original light fixtures, moldings, and ceiling rosettes. They incorporated much of the furniture from their previous home, and Debbie has enjoyed adding special antique pieces and unique accessories.

Although Ron and Debbie concede that the interior of their home is mostly complete, they see future projects awaiting outside, in the lawn and gardens.

The History of Prospect Hill

Often called “the prettiest house in Westminster” by area residents and realtors, Ron and Debbie Schmidt’s home dates to 1847. Used as a hospital during the Civil War, it is built on land originally part of a 101-acre estate owned by the Yingling family. Typical of the time, it was built in the Pennsylvania farmhouse style, but made unique with such fashionable Victorian details as the three-sided porch and Gothic peaks on all four sides of the roof.

According to records provided by the Carroll County Historical Society, the house was first purchased by Louisa B. Horne who sold it to her daughter Mary Horne Cunningham in 1879. The home remained in the Cunningham family until it was sold to Joseph and Gertrude Hahn in 1946.

Joseph Hahn Jr. was active in the business and political life of Westminster. He owned Hahn’s of Westminster meat plant and served several terms in the House of Delegates as well as being the Mayor of Westminster for nine years. The Schmidts purchased the home, known as Prospect Hill, from Mrs. Hahn, who now resides at Carroll Lutheran Village.