Outstanding Individual Leadership at the Local Level
Ruth Davis-Rogers (Allegany County)
Outstanding Individual Leadership at the Local Level
Ruth Davis-Rogers has long championed historic preservation as a cornerstone of community and economic
growth. As Cumberland’s Historic Preservation Planner, she initiated a new preservation plan for the
city and has helped drive transformative projects like the Choose Cumberland Relocation Package and
the Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project, revitalizing the city’s historic core. Ruth's ability
to build consensus among officials, property owners, and volunteers has been pivotal in advancing
these efforts. Her dedication to Cumberland’s heritage and harnessing it for positive change will
leave a lasting legacy for the Queen City and beyond.
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Excellence in Public Programming and Exhibits
Beach to Bay Heritage Area for the African American Heritage Project (Wicomico County)
Excellence in Public Programming and Exhibits
Consisting of fourteen interpretive signs, three community-inspired murals, and five radio
segments titled Rarely Told Stories of the Eastern Shore, the Beach to Bay Heritage Area''s African
American Heritage Project honors and shares local Black history with the public. These initiatives,
developed with community input and collaboration, highlight underrepresented stories and sites,
fostering pride and awareness of the region’s rich African American heritage. Together, they
celebrate the enduring impact of Black communities on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore.
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Excellence in Preservation Partnerships
M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks, Montgomery County Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions
(TEBS), and the University of Maryland Historic Preservation Department (UMD) for the Oakley
Cabin AR Experience (Montgomery County)
Excellence in Preservation Partnerships
Montgomery Parks, TEBS, and UMD partnered in 2023 to launch the Oakley Cabin Augmented
Reality (AR) Experience, a groundbreaking digital heritage project. This collaboration brings
19th- and early-20th -century African American history to life through state-of-the-art AR
technology. Visitors can explore interactive 3D models, audio narratives, and virtual
reconstructions of the Oakley Cabin landscape and archaeology, accessible year-round in seven
languages. The project highlights the power of partnerships in preserving history and expanding
public access to cultural heritage.
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Outstanding Stewardship of a Cultural Site
The William P. and Marjorie Doepkens Family (Anne Arundel County)
Outstanding Stewardship of a Cultural Site
Over decades, the Doepkens family carefully stewarded archaeological finds from the Mareen
Duvall Plantation, one of Maryland’s most significant 17th-century sites. Through meticulous
excavation, documentation, and preservation, the family has safeguarded over 50,000 artifacts,
including rare and unique items, now donated to MHT’s Maryland Archaeological Conservation
Laboratory. This extraordinary gift ensures the collection is accessible for research, education,
and public engagement, honoring the legacy of Duvall and the Doepkens’ enduring commitment to
preserving Maryland's heritage.
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Outstanding Stewardship by a Government Agency
U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) for the
N.S. Savannah (Baltimore City)
Outstanding Stewardship by a Government
Agency
Since 2008, MARAD has meticulously cared for the National Historic Landmark vessel N.S.
Savannah, the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship, balancing decommissioning
efforts with historic preservation. Through innovative approaches, MARAD has restored
public spaces, enhanced accessibility, and ensured the ship’s legacy as a symbol of
peaceful nuclear technology. MARAD’s efforts set a precedent for preserving historic
nuclear facilities while advancing public education and maritime heritage.
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Excellence in Rehabilitation
The Claggett Center (Frederick County)
Excellence in Rehabilitation
In 2021, the Claggett Center completed the painstaking rehabilitation of its 1898
Pennsylvania bank barn, blending historic preservation with modern functionality by
preserving the barn's iconic timber frame, original wood siding, and rare wood shingle
roof, while adding a commercial kitchen, accessible restrooms, and climate control. The
adaptive reuse honors the barn’s agricultural heritage, transforming it into a four-season
event space that serves as a vibrant hub for community gatherings, youth programs, and
educational events.
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Excellence in Restoration
The Historic Façade at the Flower Theater (Montgomery County)
Excellence in Restoration
After years of disrepair, the Montgomery Housing Partnership carefully restored the Flower
Theater’s Streamline-Moderne historic façade, designed in 1950 by renowned architects
John Jacob Zink and Frederick L.W. Moehle in Silver Spring’s Long Branch neighborhood.
The project revived the iconic neon sign, relit the marquee, and renewed the ticket booth
using original materials and techniques, revitalizing this cultural landmark and rekindling
community pride in the heart of Long Branch.
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Excellence in Sustainable Design
Montebello Elementary and Middle School (Baltimore City)
Excellence in Sustainable Design
Baltimore City Public Schools, in partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority
and architects Crabtree, Rohrbaugh Associates, has transformed Montebello Elementary/Middle
School into a model of sustainable design. This 21st Century Schools Initiative project
revitalized the c.1921 building with energy-efficient systems, daylighting, and low-emission
materials, earning LEED Gold Certification. The project preserved historic façades while
adding a 20,000 sq ft addition, creating a healthy, modern learning environment that honors
the past and invests in a sustainable future for students and the community.
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