The Maryland Historical Trust invites the submission of presentation abstracts for our annual Architectural Fieldwork Symposium scheduled for March 28, 2024. The symposium will be held in person at MHT offices in Crownsville, Maryland. The event brings together field surveyors, architectural historians, preservation planners, and related practitioners from across the region to discuss recent research and innovative project methodologies.

Presentations must be analytical rather than descriptive and should place the subject in the broader context of political, social, architectural, cultural, and economic influences of the period. We are interested in showcasing recent fieldwork, thematic studies that highlight a particular property type or aspect of Maryland's history, the documentation of underrepresented communities, and broader regional studies that can inform our work in Maryland.

If you're interested in highlighting recent research or a documentation project from your agency, county, or firm, please consider submitting a brief one-page proposal, not to exceed 350 words, outlining your topic. The presentations will be 20 minutes in length with a 5 to 10-minute Q&A afterward.

The submission deadline for presentation proposals is December 1, 2023. Notification of accepted submissions will be sent via email no later than December 31, 2023. All symposium presenters will receive a small honorarium for their efforts.

The presentation abstract should include the following:

• A presentation title and topic sentence
• A 250 to 350-word description of the presentation
• A brief bio of the presenter(s)

We look forward to receiving your presentation abstracts! Please direct any questions to Heather Barrett, Administrator of Architectural Research, at heather.barrett@maryland.gov.

Highlights from the 2022 Architectural Fieldwork Symposium

DNR staff member Angela Crenshaw presented on the Howard Heritage Project, a new Maryland Park Service effort to document and share the Howard family’s journey from enslavement to freedom in Montgomery County.

John Gentry of EHT Traceries shared recent documentation of buildings designed by early women architects, including the Hirsch Residence in Havre de Grace, work of pioneering architect Poldi Hirsch.

MHT staff member Jessica French provided attendees with an update from recent National Register listings.

Master joiner Amy McAuley of Mount Vernon provided an overview of historic woodworking and brought a selection of tools, including planes.

Past Events

• 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 Landscapesby 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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Contact Allison Luthern at allison.luthern@maryland.gov with any questions.