The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) today celebrated the state’s best efforts in historic preservation at the 45th annual Maryland Preservation Awards. The MHT Board of Trustees recognized outstanding education, restoration, and revitalization projects, as well as organizational and individual leadership.
“Our state is fortunate to have many organizations working to restore historic buildings, provide public programming, and engage with other partners in our communities to celebrate our rich heritage,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This year’s awardees represent an exceptional commitment to historic preservation from scenic southern Maryland to the mountains in western Maryland. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”
The following people, places, and programs were recognized with 2020 awards.
Lost Towns Project, Inc. and Anne Arundel County (Anne Arundel County) – The Lost Towns Project, Inc., in cooperation with the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning Cultural Resources Division created “African American Voices, Memories and Places: A Four Rivers Heritage Trail,” an online multimedia Story Map tour highlighting African American heritage sites. It was produced with direct participation by the local community, resulting in many new audiences to appreciate an under-represented heritage. (Excellence in Media and Publications)
Laurel History Boys (Prince George’s County) – Combining their efforts of education and community engagement through a nonprofit 501(c)(3), Laurelites Richard Friend, Kevin Leonard, and Peter Lewnes are amateur historians, memorabilia collectors, and community promoters who share the history, heritage, and folkways of their hometown. (Excellence in Community Engagement)
Historic Sotterley, Inc. for “Building Bridges to Common Ground” (St. Mary’s County) Historic Sotterley’s “Building Bridges to Common Ground” programming focused on the study and interpretation of history, drama, genealogy, and archeology to tell the story of the slave trade and its abolition in acknowledgement that examination of painful history can result in healing. (Excellence in Public Programming)
Town of Myersville for the Restoration of Hagerstown and Frederick Trolley #150(Frederick County) – Championed by an enthusiastic mayor, the Town of Myersville has relocated and restored Hagerstown and Frederick Railway Trolley #150 to the newly constructed Myersville branch library as an interpretive museum piece to benefit the community. (Project Excellence: Community Impact)
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Canal Trust, Inc. for Swains Lockhouse (Montgomery County) – Swains Lockhouse was occupied continuously by the Swain family for more than 100 years. Restoration of the lockhouse brings this legacy to life and serves an important role in interpreting the story of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O) Canal as a critical artery of commerce early in the 19th century as the nation expanded westward. The C&O Canal Trust opens the lockhouse to the public as part of the Canal Quarters program. (Project Excellence: Preservation Partnerships)
Robert C. Clark (Anne Arundel County) – Robert C. Clark has served as the president and CEO of Historic Annapolis since 2012. During this time, Historic Annapolis has gained momentum as an organization that supports the community’s rich history, preservation efforts, educational opportunities for schools, and public programs. Clark has been instrumental in forging partnerships and in elevating the profile and visibility of history and heritage in Annapolis. (Outstanding Individual Leadership)
City of Frederick (Frederick County) – The City of Frederick produces a variety of targeted publications, videos, brochures, articles, newspaper inserts, and programming to promote history throughout the community. Particularly notable is Preservation Matters, published by the city’s planning department, and Preserve This! video shorts that bring the city’s historic fabric to life. (Outstanding Organizational Leadership)
Warren Historic Site Committee, Inc. for Loving Charity Hall (Montgomery County) – The Warren Historic Site is the center of Martinsburg, a historic African American enclave, and one of the last sites in Maryland to retain all three of the structures that were the heart of flourishing African American communities of the late-19th/early 20th century – the 1914 Loving Charity Hall, the 1903 Warren United Methodist Church, and the 1886 Martinsburg Negro School. (Outstanding Stewardship of a Maryland Historical Trust Easement Property)
Town of Port Deposit for Jacob Tome Gas House (Cecil County) – Once dilapidated and vacant, but with the distinction of being the last historic building on the Port Deposit waterfront, the 1850 Jacob Tome Gas House has been transformed into a Towson University research and education center and visitors center for the town. (Outstanding Stewardship of a Maryland Historical Trust Easement Property)
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Canal National Historical Park for Conococheague Aqueduct (Washington County) – Painstaking restoration of the Conococheague Aqueduct “water bridge” crossing Conococheague Creek has resulted in an influx of visitors to the park. This is one of the few places in North America where visitors can view and experience a variety of historic canal features in one location. (Outstanding Stewardship by a Government Agency)
Videos of the awardees are available here.
