FY26 MHAA Grant Round Is Now Open!
Over $5 million in matching grant funding is available from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) for capital and non-capital projects in the state’s 13 heritage areas. Visit the Maryland Heritage Areas Program's incentives page to confirm your eligibility, review the grant guidelines, jot down the virtual Q&A session dates with MHAA staff, and begin the required first step in the application process: completing the Intent to Apply form, due January 27, 2025.
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Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program Workshops
Registration is open for the Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program workshops! Upcoming dates include:
January 9: General Overview Webinar | 1 PM – 3 PM
January 15: In-Person Workshop (Salisbury) | 1 PM – 3 PM
For more information about the grant program, a full list of webinar dates, and registration information visit the grant program webpage.
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Now Accepting FY 2025 Small Commercial Tax Credit Applications
Did you know the Maryland Historic Revitalization Tax Credit Program offers small commercial tax credits for small-scale commercial projects? Small commercial tax credits are reserved on a first-come, first-served rolling basis until the program cap of $2 million for the current fiscal year has been reached. Small commercial projects cannot exceed $500,000 in total qualified rehabilitation expenses, and the credit is capped at $50,000 in a 24-month period. For full details visit the small commercial tax credit webpage or contact MHT Tax Credit staff with any questions at mht.taxcredits@maryland.gov.
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By Marcia Miller, Chief, Office of Research, Survey & Registration
This winter, the Maryland State House is nearing completion of one of the most comprehensive projects ever undertaken on the exterior of the buildings and grounds situated on State Circle. As the scaffolding comes down, visitors to Annapolis can appreciate the results of a multi-year effort to preserve the historic State House and old Treasury for future generations and to update the grounds to meet modern needs. The first phase, restoration of the 18th-century dome, was completed in January of 2023. Phase 2, encompassing detailed work on both the original 1770s building and the 1906 annex, is slated for completion in early 2025. The renovation has focused on the shell of the building, from the top down, and includes work on the roof, repair and repointing of masonry, cleaning and repair of the cornices, and restoration of the windows and south portico. The project includes modifications to the north entrance of the annex—reopening the undercroft to its original 1906 configuration—and providing accessible entrances to the building. Where possible, traditional materials and craftsmanship have been used to match historic fabric of both the State House and the old Treasury building.
 This lithograph depicts State Circle as it looks shortly after the State House was completed. The old Treasury Building is located slightly down the hill. The council chamber is directly to the right of the State House and the octagonal building in the background was the privy, known as the temple, which stood into the early 19th century.
The building opened for the 1779 legislative session, and quickly gained national significance as the temporary home of the Continental Congress. It was in the old Senate Chamber on December 23, 1783, that George Washington resigned his Commission from the Continental Army, creating the first modern democracy. Just three weeks later, on January 14, 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War and making Annapolis the first peacetime capital of the newly formed country. Today, the building serves as the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use.
 Benjamin West, American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain, 1783-1784, London, England (Winterthur Museum). From left to right: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. The British commissioners refused to pose, and the picture was never finished.
Like all old buildings, the State House underwent numerous changes throughout its storied history—some momentous and others simply routine maintenance. Perhaps the biggest campaign occurred between 1902-1906 when a substantially larger annex replaced two earlier wings, creating the building as it currently stands. Designed by the firm of Baldwin and Pennington, this addition doubled the size of the building, adding two grand chambers for the Senate and House of Representatives as well as the monumental façade that serves as the front, or north, entrance we use today.
 Left: This late-19th-century view depicts the original State House with changes from a major 1870s-1880s renovation including a new portico, the addition of cellar windows, Victorian chimneys, and new 2/2 windows. Right: This early-20th-century view shows one of the earliest images of the "new" annex. Designed by Baldwin and Pennington Architects, this addition more than doubled the State House in size and reoriented the main entrance to this grand portico.
The earliest building on State Circle and the oldest public building in Maryland, the Old Treasury Building was constructed in 1735-1737 by the builder Patrick Creagh. Built to house bills of credit, the thick brick walls, heavy doors, and barred windows are indicative of its function. This small structure is also undergoing a restoration of the exterior envelope; work includes restoration of the original window openings, returning the roof to wood shingles, and a full repointing of the masonry. The interior will house new exhibits.
 Master mason Raymond Canetti (front) and Mark Schneidman (back), the project manager for the Department of General Services, discuss repairs to the 18th-century brickwork. The quality of the workmanship on the original section of the State House is some of the best in the Chesapeake region.
This project to restore and update the Maryland State House's buildings and grounds will help maintain the historic fabric and connect future generations to Maryland's history. It is a collaborative effort between the Maryland Department of General Services and MHT, with approval by the State House Trust. The firm of Mesick, Cohen, Wilson, Baker Architects from Albany, New York, served as project architect and The Christman Company of Reston, Virginia, as the general contractor. We hope you can find time to visit Annapolis and experience the results first-hand!
 More MHT News...
Congratulations, Sykesville!
Sykesville recently joined 23 other local communities to become Maryland's newest Certified Local Government (CLG)! This designation by MHT and the National Park Service recognizes Sykesville's commitment to preserving the historic sites and landmarks that make up its downtown, protecting its distinct identity and fostering a strong sense of pride. CLG status will open the door to valuable resources to ensure that the town's preservation efforts remain strong into the future.
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Upcoming Events
Save the dates! MHT will host two events in early 2025: the next conversation on documenting underrepresented communities, to be held virtually on February 6, and the annual Architectural Fieldwork Symposium on March 27. More details to come by email and social media!
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Women’s Suffrage in Maryland: New Amendments to the National Register (Part 1) by Dr. Jacqueline Shin, MHT National Register Assistant
Women’s Suffrage in Maryland: New Amendments to the National Register (Part 2) by Dr. Jacqueline Shin, MHT National Register Assistant
Spooky Sketches: Tales of Maryland’s Haunted Historic Buildings by Jordan Cline, MHT Library Intern
Announcing the FY2025 Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grant Awards by Heather Barrett, Administrator of Architectural Research
Reach Out!
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