ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 20, 2017) - The Maryland Historical Trust celebrated thestate's best efforts in historic preservation today during the 42nd Maryland Preservation Awards. The MHT Board of Trustees recognized outstanding education, restoration and revitalization projects, as well as organizational and individual leadership.
The following people and programs were recognized with 2017 awards
Heart of the Civil War GeoTrail (Frederick, Carroll and Washington Counties). Launched in October 2016 by the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, the Heart of the Civil War GeoTrail provides an exciting new way to experience the power of historic places through geocaching, a real-world outdoor scavenger hunt using GPS-enabled devices like mobile phones. (
Excellence in Public Programming)
Newtown Historic District Website (Salisbury). Developed by the volunteer-run Newtown Association, this website serves the oldest neighborhood in Salisbury. With an attractive design and easy navigation, the site offers information about the history and preservation of Newtown, while featuring the livable, affordable neighborhood as a destination for interested home buyers. (
Excellence in Media and Publications)
Baltimore Harbor Light (Anne Arundel County). After purchasing a historic 1908 caisson lighthouse at public auction, four couples began a decade-long process to restore the National Register property, which now appears as it did in the early 20th century. (
Outstanding Stewardship of an Easement Property)
St. Mary's College of Maryland (St. Mary's County). St. Mary's College of Maryland has a distinguished record for the management of archaeological resources on its property and has played a key role in the identification, preservation, and interpretation of sites, places, and landscapes in the Southern Maryland region. (
Outstanding Stewardship of Archeological Resources)
Calvert County Natural Resources Division. In partnership with the Calvert County Department of Community Planning & Building and the Calvert Nature Society, the Division has secured public and private funds to support the stewardship of the historic and cultural sites within its care, including millions of dollars in investment in Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm and Kings Landing Park. (
Outstanding Stewardship by a Government Agency)
Washington County Engineering and Construction Management. To preserve the legacy of the Old Forge Road Bridge (c. 1863), a three-arch stone structure constructed from coursed local limestone that spans Antietam Creek, Washington County coordinated with multiple agencies and the local community to restore the bridge and maintain its use. (Outstanding Stewardship by a Government Agency)
Lead Coffin Crypt Project (St. Mary's County). In this final phase of decades-long collaborative project at the Chapel in Historic St. Mary's City, visitors can see the lead coffins of Phillip Calvert, last Chancellor of Maryland, and his family through glass floor panels in the place where they were originally discovered. (
Preservation Partnerships)
Historic Watch Box Relocation and Restoration (Calvert County). As part of a collaborative project necessitated by federal preservation review, the little yellow watch box (c. 1854) at Naval Support Facility Indian Head was moved back home to its original location at the Washington Navy Yard and restored. (
Preservation Partnerships)
East Baltimore Historic II (Baltimore City). Over two years, the East Baltimore Historic II project fully rehabilitated thirty-two vacant rowhouses and two mixed-use buildings in Baltimore's Oliver neighborhood. (
Excellence in Residential Rehabilitation)
Ten Light Street (Baltimore City). Constructed in 1929, the majestic Art Deco Baltimore Trust Building served 85 years as a bank and office before Metropolitan Baltimore, LLC, purchased the 34-story tower and adapted it for mixed use, following federal preservation standards. (
Excellence in Commercial Rehabilitation)
Riverview Commons/B.L. Gillis & Son and Feldman Bros. (Salisbury). Built in a highly visible part of Salisbury around 1890, the building most commonly known as the Feldman Furniture store was condemned for deterioration and neglect until principals of Gillis Gilkerson, Inc., formed Riverview Commons, LLC, to rehabilitate and re-purpose the property. (
Project Excellence: Community Impact)
Preservation Maryland. The preservation advocacy group's on-the-ground efforts in the wake of the Ellicott City flood have had a real and lasting impact and serve as a model for how preservation organizations can effectively respond to future natural disasters. (
Outstanding Organizational Leadership)
Karen M. Gray, PhD. Over thirty-nine years of tireless service to the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park make volunteer historian Karen Gray an indispensable source of knowledge and one of the park's most treasured human resources. (
Outstanding Individual Leadership)
