 |
| |
Dear Friends,
As the leaves change and the air turns colder, we're sharing a few reminders about our tax credit program, tips for getting historic buildings ready for the winter and updates on the great projects staff have tackled over the past several months.
Rebeccah Ballo, Historic Preservation Program Supervisor
|
|
Save Money With Historic Preservation Tax Credits
Did you paint your house, replace your roof or repair your porch in 2019? If you accomplished those tasks and your home is designated on the Master Plan for Historic Preservation, either individually or within a historic district, you may be eligible for Montgomery County's Historic Preservation Tax Credit.
Montgomery County encourages homeowners to invest in their historic properties by offering a tax credit against real property taxes for 25 percent of the cost of eligible maintenance activities. To qualify, you must have spent at least $1,000 over the course of the year on eligible exterior work, including maintenance, restoration or preservation.
|
This exterior painting and window repair project in Takoma Park was eligible for the county's Historic Preservation Tax Credit.
|
Before you begin any work, consult with Historic Preservation staff to make sure your project is eligible and to see whether a
Historic Area Work Permit is required.
|
*New for 2020*
In 2019, we accepted more than 50 percent of tax credit applications electronically, saving homeowners time and the expense of printing paper applications, color photos and mailing labels. This year, the Historic Preservation Office will be going 100 percent paper-free and will only be accepting tax credit applications via the
online application
. Please contact the Historic Preservation Office if you have difficulty with this new system.
|
|
Winter Is Coming - It's Time To Weatherize Your Home
Now is the time to make sure your historic home is ready for winter weather. Taking a few steps to weatherize your home now will help you save energy and protect your home's historic design and materials. As a bonus, some of this work may be eligible for the county's Historic Preservation Tax Credit!
Consider an Energy Audit- A comprehensive home energy audit will identify specific ways to reduce leaks and increase energy efficiency. Utility companies serving Montgomery County offer home energy assessments at no additional cost. The
Department of Environmental Protection offers guidance on a range of energy evaluations, from DIY to professional inspections by a certified contractor.
Seal Windows and Doors- Historic windows and doors contribute to your home's unique character. Check the condition of these elements by looking for broken glass, cracked or missing glazing, cracked or peeling paint, and loose or open joints. Seal any air leaks and eliminate any cracks or open joints in window and door openings by weather stripping, caulking or repointing as needed. Storm windows may improve your home's thermal efficiency and should always be considered before replacement of historic windows. Consult with Historic Preservation staff to determine how storm windows could be installed without damaging important historic features.
Insulate Your Attic and Basement- Significant heat loss occurs through attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulating these spaces can improve both energy efficiency and comfort, but be sure to maintain good ventilation and moisture control. Insulation can be added to attic floors and first-floor joists above basements, with vapor barriers facing the heated space.
Maintain Roofing and Siding- Roofs should be inspected at least once a year to check for deteriorated or missing shingles, slates or tiles, and any gaps or cracks in the flashing. Replace or repair any missing or damaged elements.
Check Your Gutters and Downspouts- To avoid ice blockages, clear any debris that has accumulated in your gutters. Ensure that downspouts direct water away from your home's foundation to protect its structural stability.
|
|
News & Notes
Cherry Grove, located just south of Ashton, is a c. 1773 Georgian style brick home designated on the Master Plan for Historic Preservation. The homeowners would like to add additional protection by conveying an easement that would protect the home's exterior, environmental setting and significant interior features, including the original wood paneling. Homeowner Sunny Banvard writes, "Preserving the architectural heritage in this historically significant region is of importance to our community and to us." Staff recently visited Cherry Grove to document these key elements with new digital tools, including photogrammetry.
|
|
|
Historic Preservation Office staff is working to create a digital model of Cherry Grove's original wood paneling.
|
|
|
Digging at Montanverde
Montanverde, constructed c. 1806-1812, is a clapboard-sheathed house near Darnestown that is associated with prominent landowner and Maryland Congressman Major George Peter. Before the current homeowners build an addition to the dwelling, staff dug several shovel test pits to assess whether any significant archaeological resources would be impacted by the new construction. Historic Preservation staff archaeologist Brian Crane, PhD, led the dig and offered a report from the field:
"The area investigated was adjacent to the 19th-century kitchen. Kitchen yards were work spaces and sometimes included kitchen and general household refuse, sometimes buried in pits and sometimes tossed in the yard and then swept to the surrounding fence lines. So far, what we found suggests that there was a light scatter of material simply cast out next to the building. Findings were typical of 19th-century kitchen refuse, including nails, broken glass, kitchen and table ceramics, horseshoes and oyster shells. These objects may help us understand details about the daily lives of all the people, free and enslaved, who lived and worked at Montanverde in the past."
|
|
|
Staff conducted archaeological fieldwork at Montanverde in October 2019.
|
|
|
Fall Heritage Ride
On Saturday, October 26, 2019, Historic Preservation Office staff led a six-mile bike tour featuring the Victorian architecture of the Kensington, Forest Glen, Capitol View Park and National Park Seminary Historic Districts. Participants enjoyed beautiful fall weather and the chance to learn about the spooky history of Victorian homes. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
|
|
Upcoming Meetings
The remaining Historic Preservation Commission meetings for 2019 will be held on November 13, December 4, and December 18. The Historic Preservation Commission typically meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Find
upcoming meeting agendas.
|
Connect with Historic Preservation
The Historic Preservation Office is located at:
8787 Georgia Avenue, Room 204
Silver Spring, MD 20910 (
map)
Or reach us by phone or email:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
