“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” – Maya Angelou
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has announced the second recipient of the State of Maryland’s Catalytic Revitalization Tax Credit, designed to rehabilitate formerly government-owned properties for economic and community development purposes. The redevelopment of Fort Ritchie in Washington County will receive a state tax credit worth up to $15 million for the comprehensive redevelopment and reuse at the historic site of the former military base.
BALTIMORE (December 22, 2022) – After nearly two years of dedicated advocacy, Preservation Maryland and its national program, The Campaign for Historic Trades, is pleased to announce that the Frederick Jobs and Historic Preservation Training Center Land Acquisition Act was included in the recently passed year-end government spending bill and is expected to be immediately signed into law by President Biden. The legislation was sponsored by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and by Congressman Trone in the House of Representatives.
The legislation, which was initially drafted by Preservation Maryland advocacy staff, provides the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center, located in Frederick, Maryland, with the congressional authority to acquire up to 20 acres to build out a fully functioning center for historic trades training. The vastly increased footprint will also permit the Center to expand and host more trainees in Frederick and around the nation.
In addition to leading the advocacy effort, Preservation Maryland President and CEO Nicholas Redding also testified before Congress in November of 2021 in support of its passage, alongside leading preservation and conservationists. Redding’s testimony before a congressional committee was a first in the organization’s history.
While a simple bill, its passage in one congress was anything but certain. Common sense preservation legislation often languishes, as leading national preservation groups know all too well. Fortunately, Preservation Maryland’s persistence coupled with tremendous congressional sponsorship in Maryland Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and Congressmen Trone and their respective staff, led to its passage in the 117th Congress.
Nicholas Redding, Preservation Maryland President, and CEO, explained,
“Tackling federal legislation is perhaps the most complex advocacy goal for a statewide organization – it’s a task that confounds even the most sophisticated national organizations – so for Preservation Maryland to take the lead on this effort and see it through in one Congress is something to be celebrated.” Redding continued, “This legislation isn’t just about buying land – it’s about investing in our communities and building a workforce equal to the opportunity before us.”
With passage secured, the next phase of the complex project begins. Fortunately, the property has been identified and is owned by the City of Frederick, which is both a willing seller and partner. As the project develops, Preservation Maryland will update its followers and partners on opportunities to get engaged and supportive of the work ahead.
A special thank you to our partner the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) and its superintendent Moss Rudley for their continued partnership.
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Preservation Maryland’s work takes us to some of Maryland’s most stunning historic places but also to important places that time has forgotten and to communities that need our help. We work every day to make preservation a priority in approaching the challenges and opportunities of every historic community across Maryland, from Baltimore to Brunswick. In this stunning video, Preservation Maryland is pleased to highlight some of our most important donor-supported work this year.
None of this work would be possible without the ongoing and generous support of our donors. Donor support makes the difference and is helping Preservation Maryland to save the very best of Maryland.
Eighty-eight years since our founding, Preservation Maryland is continuing to make impacts across the state every day in a variety of communities – working to help people save places that matter. Our work is as diverse as the state itself – from providing critical grant dollars to help save iconic structures to building coalitions that help protect stunning landscapes – Preservation Maryland is making a difference for our state’s history, heritage, and future.
In just the past year we led the effort to protect the historic Ellicott City – turning back disastrous proposals that would have devastated the community in favor of a new plan that carefully balances safety and preservation. What happens in Ellicott City could set a standard for flood resiliency across the nation – so we’re committed to making sure we get it right.
In Annapolis, our proactive advocacy in the state legislature has resulted in over $2.6 million more grant dollars for preservation projects since just 2018 – and we’ve also fought to secure improvements to the state historic tax credit that will help revitalize communities around the state. Moving forward, our goal is to increase funding to this critical tax credit program to help support the revitalization of communities across the state.
Preservation Maryland’s Six-to-Fix program is also demonstrating the power of preservation for good. Since the program’s founding in 2015, we’ve worked on a wide variety of projects across the entire state. In just the past four years, the program has helped to:
In addition to our targeted Six-to-Fix projects, Smart Growth Maryland, one of our newest programs, is leading coalitions in some of Maryland’s fastest growing counties – work that is curtailing sprawl and protecting our beloved Chesapeake Bay. From Frederick to Charles County, the program is bringing together diverse organizations that share a common mission of a Maryland that grows smarter. In turn, this work is also breaking down silos and building a much bigger tent for preservation across the state and entire region.
And, just this year, we also launched one of our most ambitious efforts to-date; The Campaign for Historic Trades, a partnership with the National Park Service’s National Historic Preservation Training Center, that is charting a bold new course for individuals interested in a starting a career in the historic trades. The six-month paid apprenticeship program puts young adults and recent veterans in National Parks working on restoration projects of some of our country’s most historic resources. At the end of their experience, apprentices are highly qualified to continue in the trades – creating a powerful career opportunity. Preservation Maryland’s leadership of the program has attracted national attention and is expected to continue to grow over the coming years.
From smart growth to job creation, we’re expanding the definition of preservation – and making even real and tangible impacts across the state. None of this work would be possible without the ongoing and generous support of our donors. Donor support makes the difference and is helping Preservation Maryland to save the very best of Maryland.
Since 1931, Preservation Maryland, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has worked to protect the historic places, stories, and communities that make Maryland unique. Your gifts are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution in accordance with applicable law. Financial information is available on our website or can be obtained by contacting Preservation Maryland. Documents and information under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act are available for the cost of copying and postage from the Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401.