Archive for category Education Programs
Discover Historic African American Sites During Black History Month
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Colleagues Corner, Education Programs, Endangered Maryland, Funding Programs, Montgomery County, Preservation and Your Community, Preservation Stories on January 25, 2013
February is Black History Month. This annual commemoration of African American achievements was started in 1926 as “Negro History Week” by Dr. Carter Woodson. He chose February as the month of celebration as it was the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Since February has been set aside to honor the accomplishments of African Americans, I’d like to suggest a few related sites around Maryland you may consider visiting.
The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in downtown Baltimore is an educational and national heritage site that highlights African American maritime history and the establishment of the African American Community in Baltimore during the 1800’s. The museum chronicles the saga of Frederick Douglass’ life in Baltimore as an enslaved child and young man. You will also examine the life of Isaac Myers, a free born African American who became a national leader. The complex incorporates the oldest industrial warehouse on the waterfront.
The Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center is located in Salisbury Maryland. It is housed in the 1838, John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest standing African American church on the Delmarva. The building is now a cultural and special events center and small museum honoring the history of African Americans of the Eastern Shore region. Call to schedule an appointment.
Alex Haley monument in Annapolis
In Annapolis, there are two memorials commemorating African Americans. The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial at the Annapolis City Dock features a life-size bronze statue of Alex Haley, author of Roots, located next to a plaque honoring his ancestor Kunta Kinte, an enslaved African brought to Annapolis in 1767. The statue was designed by nationally acclaimed African-American sculptor Ed Dwight. The Thurgood Marshall Memorial on Lawyer’s Mall at the Maryland State House honors Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. His most famous case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka 1954, ended racial segregation in American public schools.In Southern Maryland, the restored slave cabin at Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood is one of few extant dwellings of enslaved African Americans in the state. Built between 1830 and 1850 it is the only surviving slave cabin at Sotterley, the sole Tidewater Plantation in Maryland that is open to the public.
The Warren Historic Site in Poolesville interprets an African American community hub with all the essential structures traditional to such communities established around the United States at the end of the Civil War. The one room school (1886), the Warren UM Church (rebuilt 1903) and the Love and Charity Lodge Hall (1914) are located in Montgomery County.
Most Maryland counties have guidebooks of African American sites in their areas. Check the websites of Visitor Centers and historical societies also. Enjoy your journey into the rich history of African Americans in Maryland.
Marilyn Benaderet/Preservation Services Director
Maryland Historic Preservation Commission Training Workshops
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Eastern Shore Report, Education Programs, Preservation and Your Community, Uncategorized on May 9, 2012
I recently completed historic preservation commission workshops presented by the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions (MAHDC). The training is targeted toward historic preservation commissioners, staff, code officers, elected officials, and attorneys. The pilot program is located on the Eastern Shore with plans to replicate the training around the state.
The training initiative is comprised of an online tutorial (and companion manual) and two on-site 
workshops. The online tutorial introduces and reviews core concepts and principles of historic preservation and roles and responsibilities of the commission. The accompanying manual includes the following topics and more: legal fundamentals and special legal issues; designation, protection and treatment of historic properties; and project review. Two on-site workshops focus on design review and legal issues. The workshops are an opportunity for commissioners and staff to share best practices and define and discuss objective procedures resulting in defensible decision making that is fair and uniform across the board.
There are still opportunities to complete this training. The on-line component and manual are available on MAHDC’s website – www.mahdc.org. The schedule for the remaining on-site workshops is also available there. I strongly encourage all historic preservation commissioners, staff and anyone interested in how commissions work to sign up for an upcoming session.
~Marilyn
First Restoration & Renovation Fair a Huge Success!
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Education Programs on May 1, 2012
Attendees enjoy a presentation at the Restoration & Renovation Fair
On Saturday an estimated 250 people gathered at the Maryland Historical Society’s Greyhound Terminal Building for the first Restoration & Renovation Fair. All of us at Preservation Maryland were delighted by the huge response to this new event. The feedback we got was overwhelmingly positive with attendees, speakers, and exhibitors all enjoying their time together.
The day was spent visiting the 25 exhibitors who joined us, listening to 12 talks on a variety of home-related topics, and talking to the other attendees. Topics covered included paint, windows, tax credits, energy efficiency, plaster, masonry, and waterproofing. It seemed there was something for everyone with new attendees coming in before each talk.
Our exhibitors had something for every homeowner's needs.
We will be sending out a survey to attendees soon to get a more complete picture of the visitor experience, but feel free to let us know your thoughts. If you attended, let us know if you had a good time and what talks you liked or didn’t like. What topics would you like to see covered? And, the biggest question of all, should we hold this event again?
Thanks to everyone who attended, our speakers, and exhibitors. A special thanks to our sponsors, the Maryland Historical Trust, Abell Foundation, Christman Company, Baltimore National Heritage Area, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Penza + Bailey Architects, and Second Chance, Inc. Thanks also to Souper Freak for joining us and serving up warm and delicious food to our attendees.
Have you seen who will be at the Restoration & Renovation Fair next weekend?
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Colleagues Corner, Education Programs, Preservation Maryland Events on April 19, 2012
Next weekend is the Restoration & Renovation Fair and every time I look over our program and exhibit hall, I get so excited about the wealth of experience and talent that will be at the Fair. The Fair is designed so you can come for an hour or stay all day and leave with new information. I really hope that all of you will be able to join us. Below are just some of the ways you can benefit from the Fair. The complete list of talks and exhibitors can be found on our website.
Working on windows? Visit AGW Old Style Window Glass, Burch Company, Mozer Works, Inc, or Pella Windows in the exhibit hall and attend the talk on historic windows starting at 10:30 am.
Help for any project can be found at the Fair.
Want to hire an architect? Brennan+Company Architects, Kevin McKenna Architects, Penza Bailey Architects, and Robert R Gisriel Design Corps are all going to be in the hall
Working on a specific area of your house? The talks on Saturday cover issues from plaster vs. drywall, waterproofing, windows, mortar and masonry, and paint issues. You can also hear about how to research the story of your home’s past and how you can help finance your projects.
Need a special piece to complete your home project?Loading Dock, G. Krug and Son, or Second Chance may have exactly what you are looking for.
Looking to find a contractor or know how to look for one? Find specialists in a variety of areas like alterego, Stop Leaks, Sykes Restorations, Expert House Movers of Maryland, and the Christman Company and you can join the talk on selecting the right contractor at 9:30 am.
Advice for every older or historic home!
Looking for programs working with older and historic homes? Many of our exhibitors likeBaltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP), Baltimore Housing Vacants to Value Program, Maryland Historical Trust, Retrofit Baltimore/Civic Works, and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development can tell you about the work they do every day to help keep the character of the state alive and vibrant with their programs and services.
I really hope to see you on April 28! The cost is just $10. Download the registration flyer or register online. If you have any questions give me a call or send me an email.
Jessica Feldt
Exciting Line Up for the April 28 Restoration & Renovation Fair
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Education Programs on April 13, 2012
It is hard to believe for me, but the Restoration & Renovation Fair is just around the corner. I could not be more excited to share with you the line-up for the day including topics, speakers, and exhibitors. The Restoration & Renovation Fair page of our website has been updated with all that information. I think we have a strong program and a great selection of exhibitors. A little something for everyone!
Buzz is building and we are very grateful to our many partners in Baltimore and around the state for spreading the word about this event. If you know of anyone who may be interested share our info with them. Any homeowner would benefit from the Fair, even if they don’t think of themselves as preservationists. We hope they leave the Fair with a new appreciation to the preservation approach to working on their home.
The Restoration & Renovation Fair takes place on Saturday, April 28th from 9:00am to 4:00pm in the former Greyhound Terminal on the campus of the Maryland Historical Society. The admission price is just $10. For your convenience, the Souper Freak food truck will be on hand at lunch time.
Download the registration flyer or register online. If you have any questions please contact me at 410-685-2886 ext. 302 or jfeldt@preservationmaryland.org. Or just reply to this blog!
Jessica Feldt
Shining a Light on Main Streets
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Education Programs on April 3, 2012
The National Main Streets Conference is in Baltimore right now and Preservation Maryland is thrilled to be a part of the event. The conference has drawn over 1,000 participants, including many from out of state who are getting introduced to Baltimore and Maryland for the first time. If you were unable to make it for the conference, don’t worry, you can still catch conference highlights online. With the Main Streets in town, I thought it would be a good opportunity to share more information about the Main Street program and the role it plays in preservation.
The National Trust Main Street Center is housed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation. They work with areas across the country working to revitalize their communities by preserving the unique character of the community. They use the Main Street Four-Point Approach to help downtowns and business districts turn their historic and cultural resources into economic development. Here in Maryland, Main Street Maryland works with Maryland’s designated Main Streets using this approach.
I have met attendees from across the country working hard to promote and preserve their communities. Attendees are volunteers and employees of Main Streets, but also business people, member of community associations and city officials. The Main Streets tie together the bricks and motor work of preservation with boosting community pride with economic revitalization. I look forward to the final day of my first National Main Streets Conference and learning more about the work being done across the country. I hope you will have some time to watch one or both of the sessions being streamed over the course of the day and when you’re done head out to dine or shop at your nearest Main Street community.
Jessica Feldt
Restoration & Renovation Fair Registration Open
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Education Programs, Preservation Maryland Events on March 21, 2012
The warm weather reminds us that spring is near, and with that, the opportunity to work on home improvement and restoration projects. On Saturday, April 28th, we will host our first ever Restoration & Renovation Fair from 9:00am to 4:00pm in the former Greyhound Terminal on the campus of the Maryland Historical Society. With an admission fee of only $10.00, this Fair is a value you can’t pass up.
Throughout the day, there will be informative demonstrations of preservation techniques and products proven effective in historic buildings. Discussing some of the most prevalent challenges facing historic houses, including masonry and window repair, restoring plaster and selecting paint, these experts in the field will guide you, an owner or future owner of an older or historic home, in your projects.
Learn from the experts in the exhibit hall and through talks and demonstrations.
In between sessions, take the opportunity to explore the exhibit hall featuring contractors and vendors specializing in the restoration of historic homes. Together, the Fair vendors will complement each other’s expertise and provide an opportunity to see many options for your home. If you are interested in exhibiting at the event, review the sponsor and exhibitor opportunities and then contact me at jfeldt@preservationmaryland.org or 410-685-2886 ext. 302 for more information. The deadline to register as an exhibitor is March 30!
We hope to see you at the Restoration & Renovation Fair! Download the registration flyer or register online. Check in with our website for updates on exhibitors and speakers. If you have any questions please contact me at 410-685-2886 ext. 302 or jfeldt@preservationmaryland.org.
Jessica Feldt
Colleagues Corner: Springing Forward
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Colleagues Corner, Education Programs on February 22, 2012
While winter seemed to go by in a flash, spring is coming up on us rapidly. We are in the thick of the Maryland General Assembly session and work is in full swing for our upcoming spring activities.
The biggest of these activities for me is the Restoration & Renovation Fair. This event will take place at the Maryland Historical Society on April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. As I’ve mentioned in the past, this change in our usual programming is due to a unique convergence of many educational opportunities on the Mid-Atlantic this year. So far the Fair has been getting a wonderful response and the planning committee and I are working hard to make the program diverse and high quality. Look for more information here, on our website, and through our social media feeds in the coming weeks for more information on the program and how to register. Also coming online soon will be a guide to all the many professional development opportunities being presented this year. The Maryland Historical Trust, the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions and the Institute of Museum and Library Services will be presenting programs for a variety of audiences.
The other thing that is just around the corner is the release of our 2012 Endangered Maryland list. Our partners at Maryland Life magazine will be issuing their March/April within a month and we are very excited to share the list with all of you. The release of the Endangered Maryland list is one of my favorite things I do all year and this year’s list has some wonderful places that can use your support.
Finally, I have been working with our partners in Howard County to create an “Endangered” tour for the National Main Streets Conference coming to Baltimore April 1-4. Registration is now open for the conference and the early bird rate ends March 18. If you come to the conference, be sure to drop by the exhibit hall and say hello!
Of course it’s never too early to look forward to summer. I’ll spend my summer finding ways to create new partnerships and exploring how people can better interact with our organization and mission. Have any sites you love or ideas for programs? Add a comment below or drop me line at jfeldt@preservationmaryland.org. It’s an exciting time here at Preservation Maryland and I hope you will join us!
Jessica Feldt
Save the Date: Restoration and Renovation Fair
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Education Programs, Preservation Maryland Events on February 3, 2012
New Outreach Directions for 2012: A Historic Homeowners Expo
Posted by Preservation Maryland in Education Programs, Preservation Maryland Events on December 15, 2011
The Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference is an event in which we here at Preservation Maryland take an immense amount of pride. It is not only one of the largest statewide preservation conferences in the country, regularly drawing over 350 participants, but a great example of successful collaboration across the many constituencies who work to preserve our historic sites and communities.
After the 2011 Conference was held this past May, the Conference Steering Committee evaluated the landscape for the 2012 event. We saw that 2012 would be a year full of exciting events. Below are four events coming to the region in the spring and summer of next year:
- 2012 National Main Streets Conference, Baltimore, MD – April 1-4
- 2012 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition, Washington, D.C. – May 17-19
- Journey Through Hallowed Ground 2012 Annual Conference, Frederick, MD – May 22-23
- National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Biennial Forum, Norfolk, VA – July 18-22
In addition 2012 will offer a wide range of workshops from our statewide and national partners addressing the needs of historic preservation commissioners, heritage areas, museums, and others interested in preservation and public heritage. On top of all these educational opportunities, 2012 will also feature a multitude of events celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 in Maryland.
The Conference Steering Committee saw an opportunity to present a new type of event in 2012. This April we will present a one-day exposition in Baltimore geared towards the many owners of historic homes in Maryland. This historic homes and neighborhoods expo will offer a variety of opportunities for homeowners including an exhibit hall featuring contractors with a high level of expertise in working with older homes. Beyond the exhibit hall the expo will provide hands-on demonstrations and talks on issues relevant to owners of older homes and those living in historic districts. We are in the process of finalizing the date and location and hope you will join us for this new and exciting program.
We will keep you up to date about this and other educational events offered through our partner organizations around the state. If you have any questions or wish to be involved in the Historic Home and Neighborhood Expo, please contact me at 410-685-2886 or jfeldt@preservationmaryland.org.
Jessica Feldt
