On June 6, 1944 the free men of the world marched on fortress Europe in a dramatic effort aimed at setting free those suffering under Nazi tyranny. Among the nearly 12,000 planes engaged in D-Day, hundreds of B-26 Martin Marauders played a pivotal role in softening...
Nicholas A. Redding
A Preservation Policy Prescription for Economic Growth
Last week Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman’s office released a first-of-its-kind economic analysis that highlighted the state’s economic difficulties and stagnant growth since 2016. The topline, perhaps most concerning figure is the fact that...
Plow Monday: A Reminder of Our Agricultural Roots
Today, as the mechanized, technological world marches on, "Plow Monday," is all but forgotten. But, the once venerated date on the early agricultural calendar is reminder of our roots -- and of those who still toil to nourish us. "Venerate the plow" - American...
The Fort Frederick Market Fair: A Taste of Colonial America
Of all the events on the Maryland calendar that fall into my family’s must-attend column, the Fort Frederick Market Fair in Big Pool, Maryland, is at the top of the list. I often regale my family with stories about my work here at Preservation Maryland—all the tidbits...
Let the Lamp of History Light the Way: Thoughts on the Inauguration of a New Governor
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” – Maya Angelou Today, citizens from across Maryland, representing every background, race, creed, and culture will assemble in Annapolis to witness the...
Op-Ed: A New Year and The Possibilities for Preservation
The old adage is that when two or more preservationists gather – they complain about the state of preservation. We talk endlessly about our deficiencies. We bemoan what funders will support or how governments are too quick to demolish and too slow to restore. We may...
Maryland Bravery at the Battle of the Bulge
In the early morning hours of December 16, 1944, the last major German counteroffensive of World War II was launched headlong into unsuspecting American forces. Over the next twenty-one days of sustained fighting, in what has since been known to history at the "Battle...
Maryland Votes: Historic Places Tell the Story of The Struggle For Suffrage
As Marylanders head to the polls, election day provides an opportunity to look back and reflect on the long struggle for universal suffrage – the right of all citizens to vote – and here in the Old Line State, that story is recorded in countless historic places and...
This Day in History: The Battle of Gettysburg
In late June of 1863, nearly 150,000 soldiers moved through the narrow and dusty roads of Maryland towards the devastating clash at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, just a few miles north of the Mason-Dixon line. While the battle unfolded on the fields surrounding...
The Story of Memorial Day is Written Across Maryland’s Landscapes and Buildings
Memorial Day, the day Americans set aside to remember those who fell in the service of the nation, is a day filled with parades, speeches and moving remembrances of the loved and lost. The holiday, which began as "Decoration Day," a day to literally decorate the...
“The Great Task Remaining Before Us:” The Gettysburg Address & Historic Preservation
158 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln boarded a train in Washington, D.C. bound for the autumn farm fields of Pennsylvania. A century and a half later, Lincoln's charge and the great task he laid out in his Gettysburg Address continues to inspire and call Americans...
The Origin of the “Old Line State”
In 1776, American independence was anything but certain. Maryland troops under General Washington fought a pitched battle that may have saved the entire army and earned the state its nickname; The Old Line State. On August 27, 1776, the British Army, under the command...
Preservation Maryland Supports the Introduction of Federal Legislation
Preservation Maryland is proud to announce our role in the introduction of federal legislation, a first in the organization's (almost) 90-year history. The bill, the Frederick Jobs and Historic Preservation Training Center Land Authority Act, would authorize a...
Wrapping Up National Preservation Month & Thoughts for the Future
A note from Preservation Maryland President & CEO Nicholas Redding As National Preservation Month comes to an end, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the broad, enduring and tangible impacts preservation is having across our state and the nation. Far...
Momentum Building for Expansion of Campaign for Historic Trades
Over the course of a challenging year, the Campaign for Historic Trades has continued to invest in the future of this critical training program -- and in 2021 this national programmatic effort of Preservation Maryland is poised to improve the future of historic trades...
From The Desk of Nicholas Redding: The Stakes Have Simply Never Been Higher
I am reaching out to my fellow Marylanders today, to ask for your support at a time when our organization needs you most - and when our work is as relevant as ever. 2020 may be remembered as a painful and challenging year – but it also may be remembered as a year when...
From The Executive Director: The Year Ahead – Saving History & Building Communities in 2021
Organizations like Preservation Maryland aren’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. But – trust me...
The Marylander Who Dreamed of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is consistently ranked as one of the nation's most moving and powerful war memorials and its history started in Maryland with the vision and tenacity of Jan Scruggs. Jan Scruggs, a native of Bowie, joined the U.S. Army in 1968 as the...
Membership 2020: Preservation Is An Act of Optimism
To be a preservationist, you need to be an optimist. You need to look at the dilapidated building, see what once was, and have the vision to see what could be. Today, at a time when despair would be easy, I need you to reach deep into your reserves of optimism – and...
75th Anniversary of VE Day: An Optimistic Reminder for 2020
75 years ago, Allied Forces received the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany's remaining armed forces – officially ending nearly six years of horrendous fighting. Today, it can be tempting to look back at World War II and see Allied victory over Nazi tyranny as a...
First-in-a-Generation Historic Property Redevelopment Project: 417 N. Jonathan Street in Hagerstown
After several years of thoughtful planning and listening to the needs of communities around the state, Preservation Maryland is proud and excited to announce the planned acquisition of a significant, threatened historic structure. 417 North Jonathan Street is an...
Op-Ed: Smart Growth is What We Need When Times are Toughest
As America confronts the vast challenges and economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued implementation of smart growth policy at all levels of government must remain a priority. Unfortunately, the pandemic has put smart growth on the defensive – at a moment...
Op-Ed: Maryland Matters Publishes, “Pandemic Shines a Spotlight on the Power of Places to Sustain Us” by Executive Director, Nicholas Redding
Maryland Matters, an independent, non-partisan news site about Maryland government and politics, recently published an Op-Ed by Preservation Maryland Executive Director, Nicholas Redding. PUBLISHED BY MARYLAND MATTERS APRIL 24, 2020 As individuals across the globe...
Maryland’s African American Soldiers at Appomattox
On April 9, 1865, the long and bloody fighting in Virginia came to its dramatic conclusion at Appomattox Court House. The story has been told many times — but often overlooked is the story of Maryland's African American soldiers present for the surrender of the...
The Role of the Old Line State in Vaccine Development
As the world confronts COVID-19 and searches for a vaccine and a cure – researchers here in Maryland are working around the clock – as they have for decades before – to find a scientific solution to the challenge. Some of the world's most frightening diseases have met...
1861: The Last Time the Maryland General Assembly Ended its Session Early
As Maryland and the rest of the nation grapples with the outbreak of COVID-19, leaders in Annapolis have decided to adjourn the legislative session early – something only done once before at the height of the secession crisis. maryland debates secession 159 years ago,...
When Historic Preservation Helps Cities: A Response to Binyamin Appelbaum of the New York Times
With all due respect to New York Times’ editorial Board member Binyamin Appelbaum, who recently published a lengthy opinion against preservation, preservation is neither wholly perfect nor entirely harmful – there are shades of gray to this story which would have been...
From The Executive Director: Looking Ahead to 2020
The past decade has been one of dramatic and accelerating growth for Preservation Maryland. FROM NICHOLAS A. REDDING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Since just 2015, the organization has accomplished a great deal, including: Launching several new high-profile programs, including,...
George Washington Resigns his Commission in Annapolis
On a cold day in Annapolis, Maryland on December 23, 1783, to the surprise of the world, General George Washington, the victor of the revolution, resigned his military commission. Washington arrived in Annapolis in advance of his resignation on December 19th and met...
Preservation Maryland Statement on the Selection of Sen. Bill Ferguson as President of the Senate
Following the selection of Senator Bill Ferguson as the next President of the Senate of Maryland, Preservation Maryland Executive Director Nicholas Redding issued the following statement: "Today, history was made yet again in Maryland with the end of Senator Thomas V....
Phoenix Rising 2024
Each fall Preservation Maryland comes together with the greater preservation community to celebrate ...
October 17 @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Events
Preservation Maryland participates in and hosts many events in and around Maryland. Take a look at our upcoming events to see where we’ll be next.