90 Years of Preservation Maryland

by | Sep 1, 2021

This month Preservation Maryland celebrates 90 years of historic preservation work. Although our core mission remains the same as when we started in 1931 – preserving Maryland’s unique and irreplaceable heritage – our work has adapted, our strategies have diversified, and our approach has modernized, allowing us to continue to solidify a future for those who seek to ensure the protection of our past

We are Maryland’s oldest, largest and most effective preservation organization. As a 90-year-old organization you might think we’ve slowed down, but our impact in Maryland – and beyond – only continues to grow.

In honor of 90 years of Preservation Maryland, we’re introducing our $90 for 90 campaign.

In the last year alone, we have purchased, revitalized, and saved 417 N. Jonathan Street, successfully advocated in Annapolis for an increase of authorized funding to the Small Commercial Tax Credit program by $1 million, expanded our national workforce development program The Campaign for Historic Trades, added many new team members to support our ever-growing work, and supported the introduction of federal legislation, among many other preservation “wins,” big and small.

Since our creation in 1931, other brief highlights of our impact include:

  • Participated in the creation of the National Council of Historic Sites and Buildings – the predecessor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation (1947).
  • Spearheaded the creation of Maryland’s state historic rehab 20% tax credit – leveraging over $3 BILLION in private investment since its creation in 1997 – and saving thousands of historic structures.
  • Provided nearly $1 million in grants, in partnership with the Maryland Historical Trust, via our Heritage Fund – enabling the completion of $16 million worth of projects.
  • Advocated for the creation of Maryland’s Heritage Area program – a recognized national model – that returns nearly $4 in economic activity for every $1 in state investment.
  • Funded the creation of dozens of historic districts in Baltimore City, in partnership with the Abell Foundation, via our Historic Communities Investment Fund.
  • Coordinated 35 straight years of professional development seminars and conferences.
  • Participated in countless pitched battles to defend Maryland history.

If this work is important to you, too, please consider supporting our $90 for 90 campaign as we continue to make lasting change throughout Maryland and beyond.