The Maryland Historical Trust's annual Architectural Fieldwork Symposium brings together field surveyors, architectural historians, preservation planners, and related practitioners from across the state to discuss recent projects, themes, and methodology.

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

To register for the event, please click the link below:

» REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

The symposium will be held IN PERSON at 100 Community Place in Crownsville on March 26, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Sessions will provide ample opportunity for discussion and questions. Various presenters – including Maya Davis of Riversdale House Museum, Peter Morrill with the Maryland Park Service, and Christopher Marston of NPS Heritage Documentation Programs – will share work on a wide variety of topics. Projects to be highlighted include paint analysis, women scientists and design at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the new Maryland State Roads Civil Rights Context, and an update to the project nominating the works of early women architects to the National Register.

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $15.00 for students and $30.00 for the general public. Registration includes light morning snacks, coffee, lunch, and afternoon snacks.

Any questions can be addressed to [email protected].

Past Events

• Agenda – 2025
• Agenda – 2024
• Agenda – 2022
• Agenda – 2021
• Agenda – 2020
• Agenda – 2019
• Agenda - 2018

Enjoy some past recorded presentations from the 2020 and 2021 virtual events!

Dendrochronology in the U.S. and Abroad by Michael Worthington

​ Dendrochronology utilizes the technique known as tree-ring dating to date timbers from historic structures. This process requires a broad understanding of diverse principles from the impact of climate on trees’ annual growth rings to the ability to track a building’s architectural development. This work is critical to our understanding of historic buildings, as dendrochronology frequently results in a realignment of construction dates.

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In the Midst of These Plains: Charles County’s Historic Buildings and Landscapes by Nicole A. Diehlmann and Cathy Hardy Thompson

A major benchmark in a county’s architectural survey efforts is the publication of a comprehensive book synthesizing decades of completed fieldwork and research. Co-authors Nicole A. Diehlmann and Cathy Hardy Thompson have recently published such a culmination of research on the historic buildings and landscapes in Charles County, tracking the county’s development through the built environments of agriculture, naval proving grounds, and casinos, to name a few. The book, In the Midst of These Plains: Charles County Buildings and Landscapes, is available for purchase from MHT Press.

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Inscribing Significance: Documenting & Interpreting Historic Graffiti in Maryland by Michael J. Emmons, Jr.

A wide array of historic graffiti and vernacular inscriptions can be found on the old surfaces of Maryland's historic buildings, but they are sometimes overlooked and often left undocumented. This presentation highlights several examples of historic graffiti in Maryland, exploring their historical significance and interpretation potential.

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