Ten Awards Presented Via Live Stream to Honor Heritage Programs, Rehabilitation Projects, Preservation Stewardship, and Individual Leadership
(April 24, 2025) CROWNSVILLE, MD – As part of Preservation Month (May 2025), the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) will present ten awards for noteworthy accomplishments in the preservation field, recognizing outstanding education, restoration, and revitalization projects, as well as individual leadership. The 50th annual Maryland Preservation Awards, selected by MHT’s Board of Trustees, will be celebrated at local events around the state. These events will be live streamed on MHT’s social media beginning on May 1 and continuing through early June. For a complete list of times and locations, visit tiny.cc/MHT-Events.
The following people, places, and programs will receive awards in 2025:
Outstanding Individual Leadership at the Local Level – Ruth Davis-Rogers (Allegany County). Ruth Davis-Rogers has long championed historic preservation as a cornerstone of community and economic growth. As Cumberland’s Historic Preservation Planner, she initiated a new preservation plan for the city and has helped drive transformative projects like the Choose Cumberland Relocation Package and National Register nominations and updates–as well as advocating for historic buildings during the Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project–revitalizing the city’s historic core. Ruth’s ability to build consensus among officials, property owners, and volunteers has been pivotal in advancing these efforts. Her dedication to Cumberland’s heritage and harnessing it for positive change will leave a lasting legacy for the Queen City and beyond.
Excellence in Public Programming and Exhibits – Beach to Bay Heritage Area for the African American Heritage Project (Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties). Consisting of fourteen interpretive signs, three community-inspired murals, and five radio segments titled Rarely Told Stories of the Eastern Shore, the Beach to Bay Heritage Area’s African American Heritage Project honors and shares local Black history with the public. These initiatives, developed with community input and collaboration, highlight underrepresented stories and sites, fostering pride and awareness of the region’s rich African American heritage. Together, they celebrate the enduring impact of Black communities on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore.
Excellence in Media and Research – “Recovering Identity: Northern Frederick County Cultural Resource Survey” (Frederick County). This historic context study, documenting previously unrecognized African American history and resources in northern Frederick County, is a groundbreaking project completed in partnership by the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, the African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society, and the Frederick County Government. Through extensive archival research, oral histories, and spatial analysis, the team identified 21 historic structures, expanded the Emmitsburg Historic District, and mapped 83 “memory landscapes.” The project highlights the enduring contributions of African Americans to the region’s cultural and industrial heritage, setting a foundation for county-wide preservation efforts.
Excellence in Community Impact – Evergreen Heritage Center (EHC) for the Appalachian Time Travel Program (Allegany County). With three museums showcasing life from the 1700s to the early 1900s, EHC’s Appalachian Time Travel program immerses Allegany County’s 4th graders in 200 years of local history, increasing their Appalachian history literacy by 29% to date. Beyond the classroom, this program fosters cultural pride and strengthens community ties by inspiring students to share their experiences with family, driving heritage tourism. By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and historical organizations, EHC ensures Appalachian traditions are not just remembered but continue to shape the region’s identity and economic future.
Excellence in Preservation Partnerships – M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks, Montgomery County Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), and the University of Maryland Historic Preservation Program (UMD) for the Oakley Cabin AR Experience (Montgomery County). Montgomery Parks, TEBS, and UMD partnered in 2023 to launch the Oakley Cabin Augmented Reality (AR) Experience, a groundbreaking digital heritage project. This collaboration brings 19th- and early-20th-century African American history to life through state-of-the-art AR technology. Visitors can explore interactive 3D models, audio narratives, and virtual reconstructions of the Oakley Cabin landscape and archaeology, accessible year-round in seven languages. The project highlights the power of partnerships in preserving history and expanding public access to cultural heritage.
Outstanding Stewardship of a Cultural Site – The William P. and Marjorie Doepkens Family (Anne Arundel County). Over decades, the Doepkens family carefully stewarded archaeological finds from Mareen Duvall’s Middle Plantation, one of Maryland’s most significant 17th-century sites and a site excavated by the family under the direction of their father, William P. Doepkens. Through meticulous excavation, documentation, and preservation, the family has safeguarded over 50,000 artifacts, including rare and unique items, now donated to MHT’s Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory. This extraordinary gift ensures the collection is accessible for research, education, and public engagement, honoring the legacy of Duvall and the Doepkens’ enduring commitment to preserving Maryland’s heritage.
Outstanding Stewardship by a Government Agency – U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) for the N.S. Savannah (Baltimore City). Since the N.S. Savannah arrived in Baltimore in 2008, MARAD has meticulously cared for the National Historic Landmark vessel, the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship, balancing decommissioning efforts with historic preservation. Through innovative approaches, MARAD has restored public spaces, enhanced accessibility, and ensured the ship’s legacy as a symbol of peaceful nuclear technology. MARAD’s efforts set a precedent for preserving historic nuclear facilities while advancing public education and maritime heritage.
Excellence in Rehabilitation – The Claggett Center (Frederick County). In 2021, the Claggett Center completed the painstaking rehabilitation of its 1898 Pennsylvania bank barn, blending historic preservation with modern functionality by preserving the barn’s iconic timber frame, original wood siding, and rare wood shingle roof, while adding a commercial kitchen, accessible restrooms, and climate control. The adaptive reuse honors the barn’s agricultural heritage, transforming it into a four-season event space that serves as a vibrant hub for community gatherings, youth programs, and educational events.
Excellence in Restoration – The Historic Façade at the Flower Theater (Montgomery County). After years of disrepair, the Montgomery Housing Partnership carefully restored the Flower Theater’s Streamline-Moderne historic façade, designed in 1950 by renowned architects John Jacob Zink and Frederick L.W. Moehle in Silver Spring’s Long Branch neighborhood. The project revived the iconic neon sign, relit the marquee, and renewed the ticket booth using original materials and techniques, revitalizing this cultural landmark and rekindling community pride in the heart of Long Branch.
Excellence in Sustainable Design – Montebello Elementary / Middle School (Baltimore City). Baltimore City Public Schools, in partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority and architects Crabtree, Rohrbaugh Architects - Associates, has transformed Montebello Elementary/Middle School into a model of sustainable design. This 21st Century Schools Initiative project revitalized the c.1921 building with energy-efficient systems, daylighting, and low-emission materials, earning LEED Gold Certification. The project preserved historic façades while adding a 20,000 sq ft addition, creating a healthy, modern learning environment that honors the past and invests in a sustainable future for students and the community.
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