Preservation Maryland

During this year’s Pride Month, join us as we highlight important LGBTQ+ history, sites, and individuals in Maryland. Preservation Maryland has been leading a statewide effort to research and preserve LGBTQ+ history in the Old Line State for several years, and the project outcomes and resources are available here online. These projects highlight research from our work on Maryland’s groundbreaking  LGBTQ+ Historic Context Study, as well as webinars, mapping, and resources focusing on LGBTQ+ history.

A collective of Maryland organizations and agencies have undertaken and completed a groundbreaking research document, the Maryland LGBTQ Historic Context Study – and is only the second state in the nation to do so. The report released in September 2020, illuminates Maryland LGBTQ history in rural, suburban, and urban locations, including sites associated with non-binary historical figures, leading “out” elected officials, strong community groups and popular gay bars, advocacy for AIDS treatment and marriage equality, and many other important sites. As hoped, the report has also already spurred local efforts to research and preserve specific properties – including two homes in Montgomery County associated with prominent LGBTQ Marylanders.

During National LGBTQ History Month, Preservation Maryland is proud to announce the completion and acceptance of Maryland’s groundbreaking LGBTQ Historic Context Study. The Context Study is a milestone in Preservation Maryland’s multi-year commitment to LGBTQ heritage visibility and diversification of the historic record.

With a grant from the Maryland Historical Trust through the Certified Local Government Program of the National Park Service, Preservation Maryland has selected Dr. Susan Ferentinos to begin work on the state’s first National Register nominations for properties significant for their LGBTQ heritage.