About
Preservation Maryland has taken advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand the organization’s preservation work by reviving its Historic Property Redevelopment Program, making direct investments and breathing new life into Maryland’s historic places through the restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization of historic structures and the communities in which they reside.
The program was launched in 2019, with the support of many individuals and private and public funders. In 2021 Preservation Maryland hired its first full-time Historic Property Redevelopment Manager to oversee its rapidly expanding portfolio of projects.
Today, as a result of the generosity of those funders and the support of the Board of Preservation Maryland, the Historic Property Redevelopment Program is engaged in historic rehabilitation projects across the state.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR HISTORIC PROPERTY REDEVELOPMENT ONE SHEET
Watch the video message about our historic property redevelopment program
support these projects
PRESERVING IRREPLACEABLE HISTORY IN ANNAPOLIS
As part of our Historic Property Redevelopment Program, Preservation Maryland is taking on a leading role in a dynamic climate resiliency project at City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland. There, Preservation Maryland will oversee the stabilization and elevation of the historic Burtis House once the in-progress transfer of ownership from the State to the City of Annapolis is complete. The project is a key component of the larger revitalization and resiliency plans for City Dock. In 2020, the organization received a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority and $75,000 from the State of Maryland to fund the project and is also partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Park Service on this important effort.
Major project partners
REUSE IN ELLICOTT CITY
Preservation Maryland is partnering with Howard County on the revitalization of the historic Ellicott City Jail, a circa 1850 structure at 1 Emory Street. A grant from The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will be used to assess feasibility for reuse of the Jail as well as architectural/engineering, stabilization or rehabilitation activities that support future reuse.
Major project partners
PRESERVING PLACE IN FREDERICK COUNTY
Snoots House
Preservation Maryland received $150,000 in funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy Program and $9,000 from the Delaplaine Foundation for work on the historic structure known to the community as “Snoots House,” located in the Historic District of Brunswick, Maryland. We are currently working closely with the City of Brunswick and the community on next steps for the project and will continue to update this page as the project progresses.
Major project partners
INVESTING IN JONATHAN STREET [Completed Project]
After several years of thoughtful planning and listening to the needs of communities around the state, Preservation Maryland acquired a significant, threatened historic structure. 417 N. Jonathan Street is a historic circa 1830s small log home in the heart of the historic Jonathan Street community of Hagerstown, one of the state’s oldest African American neighborhoods and nearby well-documented Green Book sites. It is the first revolving fund project for Preservation Maryland since 1975 – more than 45 years ago.
417 N. JONATHAN STREET IS 21ST CENTURY HISTORIC PRESERVATION AT ITS VERY BEST
On September 14, 2021, 282 years after the trees which make up its walls were axed in the western wilderness of a place then called Mary Land, Preservation Maryland, our partners, and the Washington County community gathered at 417 N. Jonathan Street to celebrate the completion of the project in Hagerstown.
Saving this significant piece of underrepresented history and investing in the Jonathan Street community for the benefit of current and future residents is what our Historic Property Redevelopment Program is all about, and we are proud to share the results of the project with you here. The rehabilitated home will remain a home – owner-occupied affordable housing – in turn helping to build equity and pride in the long-disinvested community.
- 417 N. Jonathan Street – BEFORE (2019)
- 417 N. Jonathan – AFTER (2021)
Preservation Maryland, with the assistance and generous support of the Maryland Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration, completed a dendrochronology report which confirms 417 North Jonathan is constructed with some of Hagerstown’s oldest timbers.
dig into the history of the little cabin that could:
Major project partners
News
As work on the Jonathan Street cabin progresses and the once-stripped structure gradually forms into a cozy abode, it seems appropriate to reflect on those who once called 417 home. While not everyone left their marks on the dwelling like H. May, each resident’s time in the cabin is noteworthy.
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04/13/2021
By Preservation Maryland
The Latest on Jonathan Street: Preservation Maryland’s Ongoing Work in Historic Hagerstown
Since the organization’s acquisition in 2020 of an historic log cabin in historic Hagerstown, Preservation Maryland has been exceptionally busy laying the foundation for even more ambitious efforts throughout the community.
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One of the thrilling (and simultaneously worrying) aspects of digging into a historic property is never really knowing what may be uncovered.
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03/10/2021
By Preservation Maryland
Funding Awards Support Expansion of Preservation Maryland’s Historic Property Redevelopment Program
Preservation Maryland’s Historic Property Redevelopment Program has recently been awarded major funding awards from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development as well as The 1772 Foundation.
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12/28/2020
By Preservation Maryland
1739 In Context: America When 417 N. Jonathan’s Timbers Were Felled
Scientific research recently uncovered that the timbers used to construct Preservation Maryland’s property at 417 North Jonathan Street were originally felled in the winter of 1739/40. Which begs the question: What was happening in America in 1739?
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11/16/2020
By Nicholas A. Redding
From The Desk of Nicholas Redding: The Stakes Have Simply Never Been Higher
I am reaching out to my fellow Marylanders today, to ask for your support at a time when our organization needs you most – and when our work is as relevant as ever.
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11/13/2020
By Nicholas A. Redding
From The Executive Director: The Year Ahead – Saving History & Building Communities in 2021
Organizations like Preservation Maryland aren’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. But – trust me as I say this – we simply cannot rest on our past victories. The future demands action – and with your support, we will make 2021 a year to celebrate.
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10/28/2020
By Katie Parks
Fundraiser Success! CIRCA Pin Campaign Raised Over $5,400 For Our Revolving Fund
Earlier this Fall, Preservation Maryland had the opportunity to partner with CIRCA Old Houses to raise funds for our Revolving Fund. Thanks to the generosity of over 200 people across the country, we raised over $5,000 to support our property redevelopment projects.
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10/09/2020
By Preservation Maryland
Archaeology on Jonathan Street Uncovers History Hagerstown’s African American Community
Last month, at the invitation of Preservation Maryland, the Maryland State Highway Administration conducted an archaeological investigation of 417 North Jonathan Street – a property purchased by Preservation Maryland as a part of the organization’s property redevelopment program.
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08/19/2020
By Preservation Maryland
New Partnership with CIRCA Old Houses Supports Preservation Maryland’s Revolving Fund
Under the new partnership, CIRCA will donate all proceeds from the sale of their extremely popular “Save All The Old Houses” enamel pin to Preservation Maryland’s revolving fund rehabilitation of 417 North Jonathan Street. The building is an historic circa 1830s small log home in the heart of the historic Jonathan Street community of Hagerstown, one of the state’s oldest African American neighborhoods and nearby several well-documented Green Book sites.
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After several years of thoughtful planning and listening to the needs of communities around the state, Preservation Maryland is proud and excited to announce the planned acquisition of a significant, threatened historic structure.
417 North Jonathan Street is an historic circa 1830s small log home in the heart of the historic Jonathan Street community of Hagerstown, one of the state’s oldest African American neighborhoods and nearby well-documented Green Book sites.
After rehabilitation, we will partner with a qualified organization to sell the property as affordable, owner-occupied housing. Additionally, local citizens, including Reggie Turner and Tereance Moore, who have formed the Western Maryland Community Development Corporation – a new organization that will carry on the future revitalization work spurred on by this first project.
It is the first revolving fund project for Preservation Maryland since 1975 – 45 years ago.
watch the PROJECT OVERVIEW in the video below
PROJECT PARTNERS
Preservation Maryland’s Historic Property Redevelopment Program was sparked by a grant from the 1772 Foundation. The Preservation Maryland Property Redevelopment Revolving Fund has been generously supported by the Middendorf Foundation and the Rural Maryland Council and many individuals and corporations.
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We don’t quit and we need your support.
Your gift today will fuel future preservation projects, loans, and investments all around the state – in your community and across your state.
So, please, give now and help us rebuild Maryland.
Major Program Sponsors
