If you saw our social media post last week featuring our handcrafted holiday mini “Maryland Main Street” you probably recognized some of the buildings that lined our historic cobblestone street.

Today we’re excited to release three of those paper model projects from our new Building Communities series, highlighting projects on which we’ve assisted (via grants, technical assistance, and our Historic Property Redevelopment Program) that feature the history of these structures in a fun, interactive way. 

Building Communities is a nod to the real work we’re doing of building communities across the state through the Historic Property Redevelopment Program, making direct investments in historic places through the restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization of historic structures and the communities in which they reside. With that in mind, the first models of this launch are three of our current Historic Property Redevelopment projects. We’ll be launching the rest of our series next week, so continue to follow along!

You can read more about each project below and download pdfs of the models to print and assemble by clicking on the red boxes below. A tip from our team: if you have it, print on a heavier-weighted paper so the structures are easier to work with.

Berlin “Snoots” House in Frederick County—ca. 1830 – 1850 

ORIGINALLY DEEDED IN 1787, the house is one of twelve buildings that predate the current town name of Brunswick, which was previously known as Berlin prior to 1890. Preservation Maryland is currently working with the City of Brunswick on its rehabilitation into a community heritage space that will connect past to present and help reinvest in the downtown.

Rock Run Mill in Harford County—ca. 1794

IN CONTINUOUS COMMERCIAL OPERATION until 1954, the mill is a contributing resource to the Lower Deer Creek Valley National Historic District, located within Susquehanna State Park in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Preservation Maryland is currently working alongside the Maryland Park Service on the restoration of this vital resource that foreshadowed the rise of American industry in the 19th century.

Burtis House in Annapolis—ca. 1885

THE LAST REMAINING 19th-century waterman’s house on City Dock, the cottage was occupied by Capt. William Henry Burtis and three generations of his family before the City of Annapolis took ownership in 2022. Preservation Maryland is leading the stabilization of this dynamic climate resiliency project, a key component the larger plans for the historic City Dock.

Don’t forget to tag us on social media once you’ve completed you models!

The projects we undertake are about more than just preserving our connection to the past – they create lasting change across the state by spurring economic reinvestment and community development. From a 19th-century waterman’s cottage in Annapolis to Rock Run Mill in Susquehanna State Park, these projects would not be possible without your financial support.