Register Now for AAHPP Workshops
The African American Heritage Preservation Program webinars and workshops will teach applicants about eligibility requirements, necessary documentation, and selection criteria, as well as give applicants the chance to ask detailed questions or just listen in. These sessions are free, but registration is required; for full information on how to register visit the AAHPP webpage.
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Architectural Fieldwork Symposium
Registration is open for MHT's Architectural Fieldwork Symposium, to be held on Thursday, March 27 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at MHT offices in Crownsville. 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. Visit the symposium webpage to register and view the agenda.
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By Travis Clatterbuck, Outreach Specialist, MD Two Fifty Commission
 The 6888th Battalion marching down Victoria Square in Birmingham, England in the Victory Parade. May 1945.
The U.S. government established the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in March 1942 to encourage Americans to get involved in the war efforts. While it was open to all women enlisting, the Corps followed other military units of the time by segregating the African American troops into separate units, quarters, and facilities from their white counterparts while on Army bases. After completing basic training, military officials often did not make use of African American WAACs' previous experience, regularly passing them over for special training and assigning them menial jobs. Some military bases refused to even accept them, citing the lack of segregated facilities as an excuse to turn them away.
Activist Mary McLeod Bethune pressured the WAAC to form the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, advocating for African American WAACs to serve in Europe. In December of 1944 the War Department agreed, selecting Major Charity Adams (pictured) to lead the volunteer postal directory unit. The battalion trained at Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia, learning combat skills, how to identify enemy aircraft and ships, completing obstacle courses, and more. Despite their dedication, they continued to face the sting of discrimination, including separate water fountains, and were denied access to the Officer’s Club.
On February 3, 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion set sail for the United Kingdom in the Ile de France, arriving eight days later. Upon arriving, the Battalion’s task was to deliver all the returned mail to U.S. personnel in Europe — a monumental task that they had only six months to accomplish. With mail packages stacked to the ceiling and six airplane hangars full of Christmas packages, the 6888th set to their task. They processed an average of 65,000 pieces of mail each shift and delivered all mail in only three months.
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 “One of the two similar buildings, in France, which house the vast quantities of Christmas mail en route to American soldiers.” (National Archives)
After clearing the immense backlog of mail in the U.K., the 6888th Battalion spent the remainder of the war moving around Europe. They earned a reputation for their speed and efficiency. Mail delivery played a crucial role in keeping up troop morale, helping reassure soldiers that their families and loved ones at home were safe and thinking of them. Despite all opposition, the 6888th was able to accomplish an extraordinary feat, while also being considered one of the best run units in the war efforts due to their effectiveness and discipline. The Battalion proved to the U.S. and the world that they were just as capable as any unit in the war.
 "Mail!" Colored pencil drawing on envelope. 10/10/1944. Robert K. Bindig Collection. LOC Veterans History Project.
MHT and the MD Two Fifty Commission are proud to recognize the Maryland 6888th Battalion members who served during World War II: Agnes E. Barnes PVT, Vivían N. Elzie 2LT, Mary Rebecca Jackson CPL, Laura Mae Jones PVT, Vashti Murphy Matthews PFC, Annie Beulah Moore PVT, Mary Catherine Nailor PVT, Emily Olive Noisette PFC, Thelma Alice Parker PVT, Ethel Philyaw UNK, Hortense Pollard PFC, Lucy Geraldine Pollitt PVT, Gloria A. Sydnor PVT, Catherine L. Tate PVT, Gloria Phenryne Taylor PVT, Grace Margaret Whyte PVT, Eleanor Anne Wilson PVT, and Vivian Winfred Young SGT.
Scouting America Archaeology Badge
Join MHT for our Scouting America Archaeology Merit Badge workshop! In addition to a day of discussions and activities, Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork at a real archaeological dig site in Charles County. Scouts who attend both workshop days and complete the prerequisites will leave with the completed merit badge. Visit the public archaeology programs webpage for more information or to register. Space is limited so register soon!
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MD Two Fifty: Small Grants Deadline
The MD Two Fifty Commission small grants program round two deadline is April 1. Small grants are available for citizen academies, inclusive history programs, projects, and events. MD Two Fifty Fellows grants fund a paid internship with a mentor stipend. In round one, 45 grants totaling $187,000 were awarded. Apply here.
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 More MHT News...
Anne Raines New NCSHPO President!
Please join us in congratulating Anne Raines, MHT's Deputy Director and Maryland's Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, who was elected as president of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers! NCSHPO is the professional association of state government officials who carry out historic preservation programs as delegates of the Secretary of the Interior, pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
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Saving Elktonia Beach: A Legacy of Black Culture and Community on the Bay by Martha Waldron, Assistant Administrator, Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Documenting Slavery at St. John’s College Campus by Allison Luthern, Architectural Survey Administrator
Dignity at What Costs…Buffalo Soldiers by Deborah Scott, Director, The Buffalo Soldier Living History Site
Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grant Program Success Story: Southern Maryland Tobacco Barn Survey by Allison Luthern, Architectural Survey Administrator
FY2025 African American Heritage Preservation Program Awardees by Stacy Montgomery, Capital Programs Administrator
Reach Out!
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