Maryland Preservation Awards Nominations Are Open MHT is accepting nominations for the 2021 Maryland Preservation Awards! Awards are presented in four categories: Leadership and Service, Education and Community Engagement, Project Excellence and Stewardship. To learn more, visit https://mht.maryland.gov/awards.shtml. Nominations are due September 30.

Baltimore City Historic Preservation Fund Deadline Extended The Baltimore City Historic Preservation Fund grant program, administered by Preservation Maryland, provides direct financial assistance to help non-profits steward, repair, and revitalize Baltimore’s historic buildings. Learn more and apply via Preservation Maryland's website by October 18.

Coming Soon! The 2020 (Free + Virtual) Architectural Fieldwork Symposium

MHT’s 2020 Architectural Fieldwork Symposium will be held virtually on the mornings of October 29th and 30th. Registration links will be emailed and posted in early October, and the event will be free to attend this year.

Architectural fieldwork and survey are the foundation of all preservation activities, and this annual event brings together field surveyors, architectural historians, preservation planners, and related practitioners from across the state to discuss recent projects, themes, and methodology. Although we can’t all be together in the same room this year, we expect that the online platform will generate invigorating conversation and networking opportunities, and we're excited to “see” our colleagues! Please note that the symposium will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at 12:30 pm on two consecutive days. (If you're looking to enjoy two full days of preservation content, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's PastForward conference takes place during the afternoons of this same week.)

Moore Farm, Cecil County. Photo courtesy of the University of Delaware Center for Historic Architecture and Design.

This year, scholars Michelle Magalong and Karen Yee will present some of their work in developing historic contexts for Asian American communities in Maryland and other parts of the country. Nicole Diehlmann and Cathy Thompson will discuss the comprehensive architectural history of a southern Maryland county in their upcoming book, In the Midst of These Plains: Charles County Buildings and Landscapes. Catherine Morrissey and Michael Emmons of the University of Delaware’s Center for Historic Architecture and Design will provide an update on the survey of Maryland’s fast-disappearing dairy farms, and architectural historian Willie Graham will share the story of the ongoing restoration of Cloverfields, an eighteenth-century house in Queen Anne’s County. The recent documentation of the Baltimore City Jail, now partially demolished for redevelopment, will be described by the consultants who conducted the compliance work: Laura Hughes, Eric Griffitts, and John Gentry of EHT Traceries. Michael Worthington of Oxford Tree-Ring Laboratory will talk about his work with dendrochronology. Finally, MHT staff will provide updates on the National Register and Research and Survey programs, as well as the Architectural Survey Data Analysis Project. We hope to see you there!

Board Spotlight: Equity Working Group Following adoption of its anti-racism statement and in response to recommendations included in the statewide preservation plan, the MHT Board of Trustees formed an Equity Working Group to identify, evaluate, and recommend ways to improve diversity and equity in MHT's structure, policies, and programs. Stay tuned!

News Spotlight: Maryland Heritage Areas Grants The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has made a significant change to the matching requirements for their grants. MHAA hopes this will broaden access to funding for heritage tourism projects, big and small. Read more here.

ICYMI: Archaeology at Barwick's Ordinary MHT archaeologists recently wrapped up a remote sensing project at what is believed to be the site of James Barwick’s Ordinary, a mid- to late-18th century tavern that was part of a small complex that served as the first county seat for Caroline County. To learn more, check out this new video!

OUR HISTORY, OUR HERITAGE: BLOG ROUND-UP