The Mid-Atlantic preservation community will convene at the Old Line State Summit on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. The one-day conference will focus on innovative and adaptable sessions, including a detailed session on the flood recovery efforts in historic Ellicott City with essential emergency preparedness tactics for every community.
Event Recap: Thank you to all of our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for your participation in the Old Line State Summit on July 12, 2017 in Annapolis at the U.S. Naval Academy. Many of the sessions have been recorded and presentations made available as a free resource to the preservation community on the Preservation Maryland website.
SESSION SUMMARY
Just under a year ago on July 30, 2016, a devastating flash flood swept through the National Historic District of Ellicott City resulting in the tragic loss of life, the loss of businesses and the loss of historic resources. How did Howard County Preservation staff, state government and preservation agencies, and local and statewide non-profits respond in the hours and days following the flood? What were some of the successes and failures? Get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the progress made and the work that still lies ahead. Review the lessons that we continue to learn throughout the rebuilding process, lessons that you can apply in your own communities.
The Preservation Maryland team in Ellicott City, 2017.
SPEAKERS [ALPHABETICAL ORDER]
BETH BURGESS
Resource Conservation Division Chief
Howard County Government
Beth Burgess’ diverse background prepared her well for her current role as the Resource Conservation Division Chief at Howard County Government. Her present responsibilities include oversight of sustainability programs, including historic, environmental and agricultural preservation. Growing up near Ellicott City, attending Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, receiving a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Maryland, and now residing in Carroll County, Beth is a Marylander through and through. Her career endeavors include ecological designer for Richard C. Pais, Inc and EQR, Inc, operations manager of a 63-acre historic property in Montgomery County, business owner of a restoration and property management LLC, and five years in her present role.
MARY CATHERINE COCHRAN
Executive Director
Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Mary Catherine Cochran’s grassroots efforts began when she authored the Historic Preservation Plan for Vision 20:20, a Howard County visioning process. In 2000, she founded Preservation Howard County, where her work of nearly a decade focused on advocacy. Mary Catherine’s work included general plan revisions and legislative initiatives as well as boots on the ground projects such as relocating a 3-story Victorian and rescuing Mother Goose. In 2014 she was named Historic Preservationist of the Year for her achievements in Howard County. In 2015, Mary Catherine assumed her current role as Executive Director of the Patapsco Heritage Greenway, the managing entity of Maryland’s Patapsco Heritage Area.
RENEE NOVAK
Field Director, Ellicott City Preservation Resource Center
Preservation Maryland
Renée Novak received her Master’s in Historic Preservation from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has worked in the private sector for architectural and cultural resource firms in Baltimore, where she participated in adaptive-use projects. Renée has worked with the Maryland Historical Trust as a Tax Credit Review Officer where her primary role there was to assist homeowners, business owners, architects, and the general public with the review and approval process for historic tax credit projects. Most recently, Renee served as the Field Director for Preservation Maryland’s Resource Center guiding rebuilding efforts of historic properties and helping to assist property owners and businesses navigate the review process.