Maryland Preservation Awards

Stewardship of Historic Properties by a Government Agency

Awards for the Stewardship of Historic Properties by a Government Agency are presented annually to a municipal, county, State, or Federal government or an agency thereof in recognition of a demonstrated commitment to preserve historically significant buildings, sites, structures, and objects under their ownership or direct care.  The intent of this award is to acknowledge the significant role that government agencies play in the preservation of historically significant properties throughout Maryland and to reward those agencies who carry out that role with excellence.  Recipients have a demonstrated record of sound research and planning, and a commitment to quality workmanship in the maintenance and rehabilitation projects they have undertaken. 

The Board of Trustees created this award category in 2009.

2011

Town of Sykesville, Carroll County

The Town’s elected leaders, appointed boards and commissions, employees, civic groups and citizens have shown great commitment to historic preservation and being good stewards of their inherited legacy over many years and have set a wonderful example for other communities throughout the State. The core of the Town is a locally-designated historic district and an all volunteer Historic District Commission helps property owners make sympathetic changes to their buildings while accommodating modern needs. The Town purchased and rehabilitated the 1883 B&O Railroad Station in the early 1990s and today leases it to a successful restaurant. The Town also owns and has asssisted the restoration of the historic Black School House and B7O Switching Tower, and even houses its offices in a historic home right on Main Street.

In the early 2000s, the Town took a major leap of faith when it took ownership of the Warfield campus of the former Springfield State Hospital. The campus is comprised of more than a dozen Colonial revival style dormitories, treatment facilities, and service buildings atop a hillside overlooking downtown. The Town fought for the preservation of the historic buildings and formed a nonprofit organization to spearhead the redevelopment efforts on the property. Several buildings have been rehabilitated to date and house new business and several more rehabilitation and new construction projects are in development.

2010

Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

The Natural and Historical Resources Division operates five historic house museums open to the public:  Marietta, Montpelier Mansion, Riversdale, Surratt House, and Darnall’s Chance, and two archeological parks, Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park and Northhampton Slave Quarters and Archaeological Park. The Division also operates College Park Airport (1909), the oldest operating airport in the country, was acquired in 1973 to preserve this nationally important historic site and to keep the airport open and operating, the College Park  Aviation Museum and the Columbia Air Center, which opened in the fall of 2009. The Arts and Cultural Heritage Division manages six historic properties as rental venues: Adelphi Mill, Dorsey Chapel, Oxon Hill Manor, Snow Hill, Billingsley and Newton White Mansion.  A number of historic buildings are used as department offices, such as Abraham Hall, which serves as the headquarters for the Black History program.  Still others, such as Dorsey Chapel and Seabrook School, are open to the public periodically. 

The historic properties owned by M-NCPPC are a crowning achievement in the preservation of the county’s cultural heritage. The agency has committed to a continuing policy of best practices in ownership, stewardship and interpretation of its historic properties.  

2009

Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration

The Maryland State Highway Administration is the recipient of the inaugural Stewardship of Historic Properties by a Government Agency Award because of the agency's long-standing committment to historic preservation and quality project design. The Cultural Resources Dvision leads SHA's architectural and archeological investigations and compliance projects that are initiated under State and Federal historic preservation laws. The Administration has taken a proactive approach to historic preservation by inviting members of the public to participate in their work through blogs and site visits, partnerships with the Universityof Maryland, support of research and documentation efforts such as GIS mapping and digital archive support to MHT, and development and publication of design manuals, interpretive materials, and promotional brochures about historic preservation. It is clear that SHA takes their role as steards of our cultural heritage seriously and are exemplary role models for other State and Federal agencies.

One of SHA's most recent projects was the rehabilitation of the US40 Alternate Bridge over the Casselman River in Garrett County. The project was reviewed by MHT under applicable State and Federal laws, and through careful project planning, was found to have no adverse effect on this National Register-eligible metal truss bridge.