 Save the Date for the Maryland Preservation Awards!
On January 31, 2019, the Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees will celebrate outstanding efforts to preserve and enhance Maryland's historic places, archeological sites and cultural traditions. The ceremony will begin at 4:30pm in Annapolis with a reception to follow.
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African American Heritage Preservation Program Grants Awarded
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Trust are excited to announce the award of twelve grants in the FY 2019 round of the African American Heritage Preservation Program! Grants throughout the state included projects at the Sotterley Plantation African American Cemetery (St. Mary's County), the Havre de Grace Colored School (Harford County), the Maynard-Burgess House in Annapolis (Anne Arundel County), the Two Sisters’ Houses (Baltimore City), the Williams Schoolhouse at Fort Frederick (Frederick County), Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in Easton (Talbot County), the Community Civic League of Federalsburg (Caroline County), a monument to the Brownsville community at Frostburg State University (Allegany County), the Samuel and Ida Torsell Mini-Museum in Catonsville (Baltimore County), St. Paul Church in Denton (Caroline County), St. James Methodist Episcopal Church in Oriole (Somerset County), and the barn at Button Farm (Montgomery County). A few FY 2019 projects are featured below.
 Havre de Grace Colored School
The original schoolhouse was built in 1910 by Harford County Public Schools to educate primary-school-age African American children. In 1930, a four-room brick addition was constructed to serve as the first public high school for African American students in Harford County. Prior to the construction of the high school, Harford County’s African American students had to travel to Baltimore City, Cecil County, or Pennsylvania to receive a high school education. After successfully raising enough funds to purchase the school, the Havre de Grace Colored School Foundation is now actively collecting stories from former students and rehabilitating the school for use as community and museum space. The FY 2019 grant will fund repairs to the basement to prevent water intrusion, as well as HVAC and accessibility improvements.
 Two Sisters' Houses/Caulkers' Houses
The Two Sisters’ Houses are vernacular wood-frame houses constructed at the end of the 18th century -- two of the few remaining wood frame houses in Baltimore City's Fells Point neighborhood. The houses are significant for their association with the African American community’s history in the ship caulking trade, and the FY 2019 grant will assist with stabilization and initial repairs to the roof and walls.
 Fort Frederick – Williams Schoolhouse
Fort Frederick was purchased in 1857 by Nathan Williams, an African American farmer who converted the property into a productive farm. His family established a school for African American children in the 1870s. In 1899 the county purchased land from the family and built School #11, now known as the Williams Schoolhouse, later selling it for conversion to a private residence. The FY 2019 grant will be used to remove the residential additions and begin the restoration of the schoolhouse to its 1899-1914 appearance.
In Case You Missed It!
PreserveMaryland II, the Statewide Preservation Plan - Draft goals, objectives and strategies for the 2019-2023 preservation plan are now available online. The public comment period runs through December 31, 2018.
MHT Press for the holidays! - Surprise the architectural historian, architect, archeologist or preservation enthusiast in your life with a wonderful book on Maryland's heritage from MHT Press. Browse the catalogue here.
Grants Available from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund - The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is designed to advance ongoing preservation activities for historic places such as sites, museums, and landscapes representing African American cultural heritage. Submit Letters of Intent by Jan. 15. For full fund details, including the online form, visit Forum.SavingPlaces.org/aachactionfund.
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