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...
History
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...
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024
Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the original inhabitants of the Americas – the first people who called this land home. Today we’re sharing an assortment of Preservation Maryland grant-funded projects, cultural heritage features, and resources so you can explore the histories that are a elemental part of life in Maryland.
Video Series: Discovering the Layers of History at the Antietam Battlefield
On the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history, we’re featuring a few of Antietam’s untold stories and unique layers of history. Follow along with Preservation Maryland’s President and CEO Nicholas Redding as he visits the battlefield, located in Sharpsburg, Maryland.
Historic Sites of Ocean City, Maryland
Is it summer in Maryland if you didn’t head downy ocean, hon? With a few more weeks of summer left, there’s still time for a visit. And it wouldn’t be a Preservation Maryland post if we didn’t tell you about Ocean City’s history and unique historic sites.
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...
The History of Juneteenth with Dr. Dennis Doster
In 2021, 158 years after the first Juneteenth, the celebration became a federal holiday changing the understanding of awareness of the holiday for millions of Americans. PreserveCast, Preservation Maryland's weekly podcast, spoke with Dr. Dennis Doster, who runs the...
Maryland: Where Inspiration Was Sewn
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." More than 100 years...
Baltimore-Built Bombers Cleared the Way for D-Day
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...
This Day in Maryland History: Francis Scott Key Bridge Opens in 1977
On this day in history - March 23, 1977 - the Francis Scott Key Bridge that spans the Patapsco River in Baltimore opened to traffic. Besides the famous name, the bridge was a major milestone in Maryland's transportation planning and remains the second longest...
Celebrate National Pi(e) Day with a Maryland Classic Pie: Eastern Shore White Potato
Apple, key lime, and pumpkin get all the love. Today, on National Pi(e) Day, why not celebrate with a Maryland classic: White Potato Pie! The origins of the White Potato Pie are murky, with some recipes noting that it was a poor man’s dessert, created by those who...
Presidential History at Western Maryland’s Camp David
This Presidents' Day we're exploring Maryland's role in major moments in American presidential history as the host to the official presidential retreat, Camp David, tucked away in Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County. ROOSEVELT'S RETREAT The presidential retreat...
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...
Giving Tuesday: Saving History is Our Job – With Your Support, it Can Be Theirs Too!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the original inhabitants of the Americas – the first people who called this land home. Today we’re sharing an assortment of Preservation Maryland grant-funded projects, cultural heritage features, and resources so you can explore the histories that are a elemental part of life in Maryland.
“The Great Task Remaining Before Us:” The Gettysburg Address & Historic Preservation
Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the original inhabitants of the Americas – the first people who called this land home. Today we’re sharing an assortment of Preservation Maryland grant-funded projects, cultural heritage features, and resources so you can explore the histories that are a elemental part of life in Maryland.
New American Climate Corps to put young people on career pathways; potential for big impact on preservation trades training in parks
The Biden administration recently announced the launch of the American Climate Corps (ACC), a workforce training and service initiative that will ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training necessary for good-paying careers in clean energy and climate resilience.
Interpreting Our Heritage: Preservation Maryland at Gettysburg
“Interpretation is an art,” said Freeman Tilden, author of Interpreting Our Heritage. “The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction, but rather provocation.”
Event Recap: An Antietam Evening
Last week the Preservation Maryland team hosted a book release party celebrating Scott Hartwig’s newest book, I Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign, which sheds light on the visceral experience of the battle and the emotional aftermath for those who survived.
New Designation for a Church Destroyed by Civil War
Members of the Antietam Institute helped hoist a new set of Civil War Trails signs into place where the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church once stood. This is the first Civil War Trails (CWT) site in downtown Sharpsburg officially adding the beautiful community to the multi-state program. The church was damaged beyond repair during the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam.
Celebrating 107 Years of The National Park Service
Happy 107th birthday to The National Park Service! Created on August 25, 1916 to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations” there are now more than 400 national parks and many programs that reach communities around the country—many in Maryland.
An Antietam Evening: A Book Release Party for Scott Hartwig
Join us Wednesday, September 13 from 6:30-8p at McClintock Distilling in Frederick to celebrate Scott Hartwig and the release of his latest book, I Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign. The book release party will...
Getting a Plaque for Your Historic Home (Frederick County)
The Frederick County Landmarks Foundation has brought back a popular free series of how-to seminars on how to obtain a plaque for a historic home. At each event, staff from the Frederick County Public Library’s Maryland Room, which specializes in local history, will...
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...
O! Say, Can You See It’s Opening Day?
Today is Opening Day for The Baltimore Orioles. It’s time to revive the game-day traditions, play catch, and warm up those voices. Why? Find our why we sing the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of sporting events, and why Marylanders hollar, "O!" every chance...
90th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps: A Reminder of the Power of Service
2023 marks 90 years since the Civilian Conservation Corps, a depression-era relief program, was established. The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the power of service – and the opportunity before us to make Maryland a leader in 21st century service....
Maryland Day: A Roundup of the Most Interesting Historic Spots in Each County
Maryland Day is the anniversary of when the first European settlers landed in Maryland. They disembarked from ships called the Ark and the Dove and landed on St. Clement’s Island in St. Mary’s County on March 25th, 1634. Marylanders began celebrating the anniversary...
Maryland Icon: Frederick Douglass
Few names conjure up as much respect, admiration or praise as that of Frederick Douglass. On the anniversary of his death in 1895, Preservation Maryland is proud to remember the contributions of one the state's most famous citizens. Unlikely is perhaps the word best...
A Big Slice Of History: Pizza, Preservation And Culture on National Pizza Day
What's at the intersection of preservation and pizza? Preservation Maryland's PreserveCast episode on the history of pizza, of course. In honor of National Pizza Day, tune in to the conversation with our President & CEO Nicholas Redding and pizza historian...
TUNE IN: Podcast Episodes to Listen to This Black History Month
PreserveCast brings you stories from around the world about the people who are doing the work to preserve, interpret, and save our past. Each weekly episode makes the case for the value, relevance, and importance of history in our lives. Tap the episodes linked below...
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...
Preservation Basics with Talbot Historical Society
January 8, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmHeritage Fund FY25 Information Session
January 22, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmHeritage Fund FY25 Office Hours – February
February 21, 2025 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pmLandmarking Basics in Talbot County
February 26, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmHeritage Fund FY25 Office Hours – March
March 14, 2025 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 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.