News & Blog
New Report: Advancing the Preservation and Reuse of Maryland’s Historic Complexes
What should the State of Maryland do with large vacant historic complexes? A new report prepared for the Maryland Department of Planning calls for strategic policy changes and increased project funding to advance preservation and reuse. Dozens of stakeholders,...
Three Online Resources for Preservation, Sustainability, and Leadership Training
Whether you're a historic district commissioner, main street manager, board president, architecture student, or a long-time preservationist looking to learn something new – now might just be a good time to check out new online learning opportunities abound. E-LEARNING...
Three Maryland Maritime Museums You Can Tour Today…Virtually
Here are three ways to explore Maryland's maritime culture, virtually: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum maintains historic vessels, like floating artifacts, at their dock in St. Michael's. Their collection represents many of the types...
Deadline Extended: Apply Now for the Baltimore City Historic Preservation Fund
The Baltimore City Historic Preservation Fund is a dedicated source of funding for revitalization work across Baltimore City now in its second funding round. Deadline Extended: The deadline for the Baltimore Preservation Fund has been extended to October 16, 2020....
Smart Growth Maryland Statement: The Power of Open Space
In this unprecedented time, where many people are feeling isolated by the distancing measures needed to stay safe during an international pandemic, many have turned to the natural world for support. Indeed, we have truly seen the value of open space in the weeks under...
Legislation Seeks to Strengthen Frederick County’s Forest Conservation Policies
Smart Growth Maryland helps lead a number of countywide coalitions that advocate for smart growth policy including in Frederick County where several important bills are being considered by the County Council. The Smarter Growth Alliance for Frederick County is a...
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Release New Report on Flooding in Ellicott City
A case study of flooding in Ellicott City, Maryland was recently included as part of a larger study by the ResilientAmerica Program of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. In December 2019, Preservation Maryland Executive Director Nicholas...
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 Green Book in Maryland: The Blue Star Motel and The Blue Jay Hotel in Southern Maryland
The Green Book was a guide created by and for African Americans in the 1930s through 1960s to safely find everyday amenities like restaurants and hotels during a period of intense institutionalized racism across America. Over 100 sites were listed in the Green Book in...
Exploring Green Book Sites in Maryland: Interview with Anne Bruder
The Green Book was created as a guide by and for African Americans to safely find everyday amenities like restaurants, stores, pharmacies, and motels in a time of intense segregation across America. Researching Green Book sites documents the physical legacy of Jim...
The Green Book in Maryland: The Watson Tourist Hotel in Baltimore City
The Green Book was created as a guide by and for African Americans to safely find everyday amenities like restaurants, stores, pharmacies, and motels in a time of intense segregation across America. Researching Green Book sites documents the physical legacy of Jim...
The Green Book in Maryland: The Harmon Hotel on Jonathan Street in Hagerstown
The Green Book was created as a guide by and for African Americans to safely find everyday amenities like restaurants, stores, pharmacies, and motels in a time of intense segregation across America. Researching Green Book sites documents the physical legacy of Jim...
The Green Book in Maryland: The YMCA and the YWCA in Baltimore City
In this installment of Preservation Maryland's series on the history of Green Book site in Maryland, we're looking at the impact of the Colored YMCA and Colored YWCA in serving Baltimore's African African local populations and travelers. In 1936, New York City mail...
The Green Book in Maryland: The Makel, Grinage, and Roberts Tourist Homes in Western Maryland
The Green Book is a document of a racialized America that required segregated locations for African American travelers to find safe accommodations, including rooms in private homes, often called tourist homes. In this dispatch of The Green Book in Maryland blog...
Capacity Building Grants for Maryland Cultural Groups Announced
The Maryland Historical Society recently announced the recipients of the state's inaugural round of Pathways grants, a state-funded program that strategically provided funding for building capacity amongst Maryland's many museums and cultural organizations. HOW THE...
Inspiring Stories as Museums Across the Country Respond to the Pandemic
As the nation responds and works to overcome the impacts of COVID-19, museums across the country and globe are standing out as inspirational beacons for their communities. victory gardens at old salem While Old Salem Museums & Gardens in North Carolina is closed...
Boundary Expansion Hearing for Patapsco Valley Heritage Area Will be Held Virtually
The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority will hold a virtual public hearing in mid-April, rescheduled from the originally planned in-person meeting this month, to hear a request to expand the geographic boundaries of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area. The Patapsco Valley...
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...
Most Endangered Update: New Report on Annapolis City Dock Calls for Resiliency and Preservation
Earlier this year, the City Dock Action Committee presented their recommendations for Annapolis’ City Dock in a public meeting, illustrated report, and a video of architectural rendering. The City Dock Action Committee was formed following recommendations from...
Advocacy Update: Hard-Fought Successes in an Abbreviated Session in Annapolis
The 441st Session of the Maryland General Assembly came to an abrupt close on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. As Maryland and the rest of the nation grappled with the outbreak of COVID-19, leaders in Annapolis decided to adjourn the legislative session early – something...
Preservation Maryland’s Free Online Photography Collection Expands Online
Preservation Maryland has just substantially expanded the number of archival images available for public use on our Flickr account. Hundreds of digitized photos from our physical photography collection will append the thousands of more recent born-digital images...
Preservation Maryland Urges Support for Maryland’s Museums and Historic Sites
No aspect or corner of Maryland's economy will be unscathed by the economic downturn caused by the current pandemic – and it is critically important that Maryland's museums and historic sites are supported as the nation plans for recovery. In Maryland, museums,...
Special Podcast Series: Healthy, Hip & Historic: Contextualizing Preservation During an International Pandemic
As COVID-19 has changed the everyday ways that we interact with each other and our communities, it’s clear that our environment has important physical and psychological effects on us all. Free Resource: Preservation Maryland's podcast, PreserveCast, is available for...
Smart Growth Maryland: Update from Frederick County
From trees to farms to historic places, Smart Growth Maryland has been working hard to help protect, preserve and revitalize key communities across the state and specifically in Frederick County. Additionally, Kimberly Golden Brandt, the long-time director of the...
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,...
Maryland Historical Trust Awards Includes Several Heritage Fund Projects
Preservation Maryland congratulations all of the recent awardees recognized by the Maryland Historical Trust, including several Heritage Fund-supported organizations and projects. On January 23, 2020, at the 45th Maryland Preservation Awards, the Maryland Historical...
State of Maryland Awards $1 Million in Grants through the African American Heritage Preservation Program
Earlier this month, the Hogan administration announced that 12 Maryland nonprofits were recently awarded nearly $1 million in funds by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). The goal of the...
New Cemetery Resource Videos from the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites
Each year, the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites hosts a statewide conference to provide relevant resources and engaging new research to all those interested in the history and preservation of cemeteries in Maryland. Preservation Maryland is pleased to...
Doug Harbit, former Director of Development at Preservation Maryland, returns to private practice
After six years of service, Doug Harbit, former Director of Development at Preservation Maryland, has returned to private practice. Throughout his tenure with Preservation Maryland, Mr. Harbit helped to advance the cause of historic preservation and expand the...
Only in Maryland: The Annapolis Tradition of Sock Burning
Due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annapolis Maritime Museum has canceled this year's Oyster Roast and Sock Burning. After a particularly snowy winter in 1978, Annapolitan Bob Tuner was anxious to shed his socks with the arrival of spring. He...
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.