Maryland Preservation Awards

Project Excellence

Project Excellence Awards are presented to property owners for restoration or rehabilitation projects that demonstrate superlative historic preservation standards.  Projects can include additions to historic structures; adaptive reuse of historic structures; construction of a sensitive new building in a historic environment; and restoration or rehabilitation of a historic structure. Projects by do-it-yourselfers as well as those done by professionals are welcome.

Recipients must be of exceptional quality and/or have had a significant impact on the preservation community.  All projects must meet or exceed the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.  Special consideration is given to those projects that incorporate sustainable planning and/or building practices, using federal, state, and local tax credits, affordable housing provisions, and neighborhood revitalization practices.  The project must have been completed within the last two years.

2009

Restoration of B&O Locomotive #57 "Memnon"

B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore

The B&O Memnon #57, built in 1848, is the only early American freight locomotive in existence, the only original American locomotive from the 1840s, and sole remaining engine built by the New Castle Locomotive Works in Delaware. Memnon was designed by Ross Winans, once the B&O’s Master of Machinery (1835-1843) and manufactured by the New Castle Manufacturing Company on a sub-contract from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1848 and entered service in July, 1848. It was withdrawn from service in 1892 and refurbished for display and exhibition. It was stored at the Martinsburg roundhouse with many of the B&O’s historic pieces and fell into a state of disrepair and was restored in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the B&O Railroad known as the Fair of the Iron Horse in 1927.

During the President’s Day snowstorm of February 16 & 17, 2003, portions of the roundhouse roof collapsed on Memnon, damaging the locomotive. This restoration project returned the Memnon to its 1927 appearance. Memnon was the first historic steam engine damaged in the roundhouse roof collapse of 2003 to be fully restored. This project was the first project completed in the museum’s new Restoration Shop. The shop was created to restore the equipment damaged in the roof collapse and to provide the location and build the skills necessary to maintain the museum’s vast collection. The completion of this project was a major achievement for the B&O’s restoration staff and facility and serves as a model for all subsequent locomotive preservation projects. The research, documentation, detailed preservation and conservation work, and final report were instrumental in securing a second Save America’s Treasures grant that will fund the restoration of the four remaining steam locomotives severely damaged by the roof collapse.

Click here to learn more about the B&O Railroad Museum

 

Rehabilitation of the John Eyler Farmstead

Robert & Jeanne Srour
Sabillasville, Frederick County

The restoration of the John Eyler farmhouse is truly a project that for anyone else would surely have resulted in demolition.  Built in 1810, this “L” shaped, gable roofed, brick house was allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that the NE corner had collapsed and a tall man could walk through the hole.  And, that was the good portion of the house.  The lower fireplace had collapsed on the interior.  The integrally joined two brick “boxes” that formed the “L” shaped shell of the building were split and cracked into 13 free standing panels.  The one modified section of the house where a framed expansion took place in the 1880s had rotted into such a poor state it was unsafe to walk into these two late 19th century rooms.  The termites had savaged the main summer beam supporting the first floor, a small fire had damaged one end of the summer beam and carpenter bees had made so many condominimiums for their community the soffits, fascias and rakes all the way around the roof of the house were damaged with thousands of bored holes throughout the wooden components.  The chimney tops had all partially collapsed. 

The John Eyler house stands because Bobby and Jeanne Srour  never gave up, never even considered any option but saving the house. Using State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits, the Srours rehabilitated the small brick farmhouse into a vacation rental property in rural Frederick County in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. The project leveraged over $600,000 in private investment, much of which was spent on labor and materials supplied by local craftsmen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rehabilitation of the Radcliffe Mill

Radcliffe Investments, LLC
Chestertown, Kent County

Radcliffe Mill, one of the largest historic structures in Chestertown, Maryland, is situated on the banks of Radcliffe Creek, where a grain mill of some sort has stood since 1694. Also know as Brooks Mill, it derives at least some of its importance from its visibility as it stands at the western gateway to the town.  This multi-building project consisted of the preservation and adaptive reuse of the Mill, circa 1892 with subsequent additions, the Annex, circa 1900 and its loosely linked sister, the Seed House, circa 1960. The Mill property went through many owners and was adapted to new milling technologies as they were developed.  Roller mills were installed in the late 19th century, and were in use until the 1950’s.  At this point milling ceased and the upper floors were abandoned or used for storage. The Radcliffe Mill business of storage and sales of grain and feed continued until 1997.  Since then the mill buildings were under-utilized and their maintenance was neglected.

In 2003 the Mill was purchased by a local partnership with the intention of renovating the property to house their accounting firm and potential tenant space. Besides meeting the owner’s functional requirements, the architects set a simple objective: to make certain the integrity of the historic building was maintained. The completed project utilized State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits and consists of office space in the Mill for the owner’s businesses, a restaurant/tavern in the Mill and an advertising agency in the Seed House & Annex.  By taking the time and effort to rehabilitate this historic building, the owners of the Mill have saved an historic structure, reinvigorated an important gateway to Chestertown, kept three thriving small businesses in the town limits, renovated an eyesore into a showplace, saved energy & resources by reusing an existing structure, and hopefully, inspired other business and property owners in the area to do the same

Rehabilitation of the Sandy Spring Odd Fellows Lodge

Sandy Spring Odd Fellows Lodge
Sandy Spring, Montgomery County

With a cornerstone dating back to 1909, the Sandy Spring Odd Fellows Lodge played a significant role in the area’s African American community, particularly from the 1920s through the 1960s. Not only did the Sandy Spring Odd Fellows serve as a health and life insurance agency for its members – highly significant services before welfare and Social Security were implemented -- the group also hosted social events, from trips to places around the world to dances held at the Odd Fellows Lodge. In fact, the lodge was well-known for its dances because it was one of the few places accessible to African Americans for socializing during the era of segregation. As such, the Sandy Spring Odd Fellows Lodge played a central role in the community and was a hub for social life throughout the early to mid 1900s.  

The lodge had been abandoned for approximately 30 years, during which time the building suffered severe water damage and deterioration. The Odd Fellows Lodge Preservation Committee was established to preserve the historic building. Through capital grants from the Maryland Historical Trust, private donations and a state bond bill, the Odd Fellows Lodge Preservation Committee raised money to begin phase one of the restoration project in the summer of 2008. The Lodge will be used as community meeting space n addition to serving the needs of the Odd Fellows.

 

Rehabilitation of Frieda's Cottage

Peerless Rockville
Rockville, Montgomery County

Peerless Rockville has undertaken the restoration of the 1936 Colonial Revival home of Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann to the period when this eminent psychiatrist lived and worked here. Eager to leave Nazi Germany, Dr. Fromm-Reichmann accepted an invitation in 1935 from Dr. Dexter Bullard of the Chestnut Lodge Sanitarium to practice here, on the condition that he build a house for her. From 1936-1957, Frieda’s Cottage served as her home, office, and treatment center as she worked with psychotic patients coming to Chestnut Lodge. Dr. Fromm-Reichmann was a pioneer in psychiatry, and had a reputation for her work in treating seriously disturbed mental patients with intensive psychotherapy.

Frieda’s Cottage sits on its own lot within the larger eight-acre Chestnut Lodge Historic District.  It is a Colonial Revival style cottage, designed by a Washington architect, Walter G. Peter, and built by a local builder, Franklin H. Karn.  It is one of five structures associated with Chestnut Lodge, all of which are locally designated under Rockville’s historic preservation program.  Chestnut Lodge Properties, Inc., the developer of the Chestnut Lodge property donated the Cottage as well as cash to kick-start the fundraising efforts in 2007. When Peerless Rockville took title to the house in June 2007, it had been empty for seven years.  From 1957 to 2000, the house was used both as a residence and for offices by the Sanitarium.  Maintenance efforts had been minimized to keep the building functional. Peerless Rockville used this restoration project as a teaching opportunity for the public through restoration workshops contractors, volunteer work sessions, and open houses to demonstrate progress in the restoration of this house. Peerless Rockville has returned this property to a single-family residence, which it leases to a tenant.

Previous Winners

2008	Restoration of Davidge Hall University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore
2008	Jeptha Hayman House Somerset County
2008	The Lustine Center Hyattsville, Prince George's County
2007	Structural Stabilization, Roof Repair, and Building Envelope Repair to the Charles Carroll House Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
2007	Rehabilitation of the Tremont Grand North Charles St., Baltimore
2007	Rehabilitation of the c. 1860 MacGillivray's Drug Store North Charles St., Baltimore
2006	Rehabilitation of c. 1930 whiskey barrel warehouse to the Jim Rouse Center for Visionary Arts. Baltimore
2006	Rehabilitation of the c. 1941 Montgomery Arms Apartments for low/moderate income housing. Fenton Street, Silver Spring
2006	Rehabilitation of the Historic Navy Point Residences, at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum St. Michael's, Talbot County
2005	Rehabilitation of the Hippodrome Theater Baltimore
2005	University System of Maryland Hagerstown Center, Baldwin House Complex Hagerstown, Washington County
2005	Rehabilitation of the Whitehaven Hotel Whitehaven, Wicomico County
2004	Rehabilitation of The Chateau Apartments Baltimore
2004	The Irish Shrine and Railroad Workers Memorial Baltimore
2004	Restoration of the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church Baltimore
2004	Rehabilitation of the Noah Rohrbach/Stinar House Sharpsburg, Washington County
2004	Restoration of the Patterson Park Observatory Baltimore
2004	Restoration of the Spanish Ball Room at Glen Echo Park Glen Echo, Montgomery County
2004	Rehabilitation of the Stewart's Building Baltimore
2004	Rehabilitation of the Tred Avon Building Easton, Talbot County
2003	Rehabilitation of the George Brooks House St. Michael's, Talbot County
2003	Restoration of Marble Head Ridgley, Caroline County
2003	Restoration of the Silver Spring Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station Silver Spring, Montgomery County
2002	Restoration of Grace Hampden Methodist Episcopal Church  Baltimore
2002	Restoration of Almodington Princess Anne, Somerset County
2001	Restoration of Hancock’s Resolution Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
2001	Restoration of Druid Hill Park Baltimore
2001	Restoration of Saint Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church North East, Cecil County
2000	Restoration of Garrett-Jacobs Mansion Baltimore
2000	Rehabilitation of Solomon’s Corner (1201 N. Calvert Street) Baltimore
2000	Restoration of St. Ignatius Church Baltimore
2000	Restoration of Strathmore Hall Arts Center Bethesda, Montgomery County
2000	Restoration of the Moorish Tower at Druid Park Lake Baltimore
2000	Restoration of Howard’s Inheritance Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
1998	Cultural Resource Management Program, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Aberdeen, Harford County
1998	St. Clement’s Island – Potomac River Museum St. Clement's Island, St. Mary's County
1998	Black Walnut Thicket Prince George's County
1998	Brookeville Academy Brookeville, Montgomery County
1998	Chevy Chase Bank Branch Office, 135 E. Baltimore Street Baltimore
1998	Dorsey Chapel Prince George's County
1998	St. James Church Oriole, Somerset County
1998	Thomas Jefferson House St. Michael's, Talbot County
1998	Turkey Cock Hall Baltimore County
1997	Frederick County Covered Bridge Preservation Society Frederick County
1997	Gallagher Mansion
1997	Gilmore Grove
1997	Long Hill
1997	Paca House Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
1997	United States Custom House Baltimore
1996	Jerusalem Mill Kingsville, Baltimore County
1996	Stabilization of the Patapsco Female Institute Ruins Ellicott City, Howard County
1996	Scanlan & Rosen Law Offices, 26 South Street Baltimore
1996	“Bear Garden” Union Bridge, Frederick County
1996	McKim Center Meeting House Baltimore
1995	Belair Mansion Bowie, Prince George's County
1995	St. James Episcopal Church Baltimore
1994	Restoration of Huckleberry Hall Hagerstown, Washington County
1994	Rehabilitation of Merry Sherwood Berlin, Worcester County
1994	Restoration of Riversdale Riverdale Park, Prince George's County
1994	Rehabilitation of Huntington Railroad Museum Bowie, Prince George's County
1994	Rehabilitation of 701 West Pratt Street Baltimore
1993	Orchard Street Church Baltimore
1993	Camden Station Baltimore
1993	School 34 Baltimore
1993	George Ellicott House Ellicott City, Howard County
1992	Earleigh Heights Station Severna Park, Anne Arundel County
1992	Thomas Jencks Gladding House or Hackerman House Baltimore
1991	Pine Street Station Baltimore
1991	McDowell Hall Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
1991	Woodlawn Farm Ridge, St. Mary's County
1991	Sherman-Fisher-Shelman House Westminster, Carroll County
1991	Marsh & McLennan Building Baltimore
1990	Restoration of the Old Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad Station Frostburg, Allegany County
1989	Berlin Hotel Berlin, Worcester County
1989	St. Paul’s Rectory Baltimore
1989	Antrim Carrol County
1988	Tendico Wharf Baltimore
1988	Crockett House Somerset County
1988	Talbot County Historical Society Easton, Talbot County
1988	Doub’s Mill Washington County
1987	Montrose School Baltimore County
1987	SS Baltimore Baltimore
1987	Banneker Historical Park Baltimore County
1986	B’nai Israel Synagogue Baltimore
1986	CMP St. John’s Chapel Ruxton, Baltimore County
1986	M. Upton Scott House Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
1985	Imperial Hotel Chestertown, Kent County
1985	Seneca Schoolhouse Museum Germantown, Montgomery County
1985	Harris House Harrisville, Cecil County
1984	Renaissance Plaza Berlin, Worcester County
1984	Susquehanna Museum Havre de Grace, Harford County
1984	Baltimore Bronze Conservation Project Baltimore