Preservation Maryland today announced that it has been awarded $500,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to support the ongoing preservation and restoration of Fort Frederick, a National Historic Landmark in Washington County, owned by the Maryland Park Service and one of the state’s most significant historic sites.
The funding comes through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), administered by the National Park Service, and will help advance critical preservation work to protect the 18th-century stone fort and improve long-term stewardship. The funds were included in the FY26 Minibus Spending Bill, which was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. The CDS request was supported by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen, whose advocacy helped secure this critical federal investment in Maryland’s historic resources.
“Preserving Maryland’s historical sites helps future generations learn the history that shaped our state and nation. That’s why we fought to secure this direct federal funding to support the restoration of Fort Frederick, given its important role, from the American Revolution to the Civilian Conservation Corps. Preservation Maryland will use this funding to ensure that this piece of Maryland’s history can inform the future for generations to come,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“We do the work to preserve our history not just because it is essential to not repeating our failures, but also because our history can be deeply inspiring. I am proud to have secured $500,000 to support the preservation and restoration of Fort Frederick – one of our state’s most historic sites. Restoring the strong stone wall at Fort Frederick can serve as a reminder of the strength of our resilience and the continued fight to preserve our nation’s democracy,” said Senator Alsobrooks.
Constructed in 1756 during the French and Indian War, Fort Frederick is the only stone fort built by a British colony during that conflict and served an important role through subsequent historic periods, including the American Revolution and Civil War. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, the fort remains one of the most intact examples of mid-18th-century military architecture in the country.
Preservation Maryland, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will use the CDS funds to advance a comprehensive restoration initiative that will:
• Conduct a full condition assessment of the historic stone walls and gate.
• Remove inappropriate historic repair materials that are accelerating deterioration.
• Stabilize original masonry and repoint with historically appropriate mortar.
• Develop phased treatment recommendations and implementation plans for long-term preservation.
The current project builds on earlier preservation work — including restoration by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s — with the goal of safeguarding the fort’s integrity while honoring its deep historical significance.
“Fort Frederick stands as a powerful witness to multiple chapters of our nation’s history, from colonial defense to the experience of African American stewardship in the 19th century,” said Laura Houston, director of revitalization initiatives at Preservation Maryland. “This funding will help ensure that future generations can continue to learn this piece of Maryland—and American—history.”
The project reinforces broader goals of heritage tourism, public education, and historic interpretation, strengthening Fort Frederick’s role as an educational and cultural asset for residents, visitors, and scholars alike.
The CDS award complements other funding sources supporting the project, including a Semiquincentennial grant from the National Park Service and support from the Maryland Park Service/Department of Natural Resources.