Preservation Maryland

Funding from The National Park Service, part of $10 million awarded from the Semiquincentennial Grant Program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States

Preservation Maryland today announced it has been awarded $747,216 in funding from the National Park Service to preserve the historic Rock Run Mill, a contributing resource to the Lower Deer Creek Valley National Historic District, located within Susquehanna State Park in Havre De Grace, Maryland.

In 1776, American independence was anything but certain. Maryland troops under General Washington fought a pitched battle that may have saved the entire army and earned the state its nickname; The Old Line State. On August 27, 1776, the British Army, under the command of General William Howe launched the first major assault since the Americans had declared their independence on July 4, 1776.

The power of history is something well known to historians and preservationists across Maryland, but hearing our governor recently make a compelling case for the critical value of history at this moment is reason to celebrate. While addressing the graduating class of 2023 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Gov. Wes Moore used his platform to detail the role that history — and an awareness of history — plays in public and private life.

In honor of National Preservation Month Preservation Maryland hosted elected officials, members of the preservation community, and stakeholders today in Frederick to recognize the passage of The Frederick Jobs and Historic Preservation Training Center Land Acquisition Act.

L-R: Preservation Maryland’s President & CEO Nicholas Redding, HPTC’s Superintendent Moss Rudley, HPTC’s Deputy Superintendent Brandon Gordon, Frederick County Council President Brad Young, Congressman David Trone, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, and Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor tour HPTC.

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Congressman David Trone (D-Md.), Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, and Frederick County Council President Brad Young joined Preservation Maryland’s President & CEO Nicholas Redding and National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center’s (HPTC) Superintendent Moss Rudley for the event, which included a guided tour of HPTC’s current facility and a formal program at Frederick’s Visitor’s Center.

L-R: Redding, Mayor O’Connor, Congressman Trone, Gordon, Senator Van Hollen.

Sponsored by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and by Congressman Trone in the House of Representatives, the legislation gives the National Park Service congressional authority to build out a larger, fully functioning center for historic trades training; the new center will allow for the needed expansion, as the current demand for qualified individuals far outweighs those that have been trained. Preservation Maryland and NPS’ Historic Preservation Training Center, located in downtown Frederick, run the national workforce development program The Campaign for Historic Trades which works to expand and strengthen training and career opportunities in historic trades.

Attendees were able to see HPTC staff and trainees at work and learn more about the type of training and hands-on work that will expand as a result of the legislation and subsequent future increased footprint of a new training center.

Senator Van Hollen, Rep. Trone, County Executive Fitzwater and Mayor O’Connor also delivered remarks and presented proclamations in honor of Preservation Month before the program concluded.

Learn more about The Campaign for Historic Trades

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