Winter/Spring 2012

FREDERICK NEWEL POST HISTORIC PRESERVATION NEWS FOR THE CITY OF FREDERICK

HPC ACTION: 2011 BRICK BY BRICK: PRESERVING 72 EAST SOUTH STREET Total completed cases: 236 (100%) Total cases approved: 230 (97.5%)

 HPC: 71 A simply detailed, two-story twin house Winchester Brick Yard located to the east  Administrative (staff): 163 located at 72 East South Street is being and the Calvin Page Agricultural lovingly restored by its proud owner Manufacturing Company to the west. The Cases denied: 6* (2.5%) Catherine Seamon and her housemate School of the Deaf, which Patty Littel. This historic brick house was opened in 1870, is situated to the south. To see if your application may be constructed during the last quarter of the reviewed administratively, consult the 19th century which was a period of During its long existence, the building Historic Preservation Division section of modernization and expansion for the City witnessed the rise and fall of the City’s the Planning Department website or Frederick. trolley system and survived the contact a Historic Preservation Planner. devastating flood of 1976. The house * Includes 2 partially denied applications. The area around East South Street, was used for many years as a rental

CONTACT STAFF which was previously open land around property. By the time the City the old Hessian Barracks, was slowly documented the dwelling for Maryland’s You can schedule a meeting with developing into an urban landscape with Inventory of Historic Places in 2002, the Preservation Planning Staff to discuss row houses and twin dwellings. This house was in a state of disrepair. Luckily, your proposal even before the expanding neighborhood was anchored just a year later, Catherine purchased the application deadline. Getting any by nearby industries like the B.F property and preservation work began. questions answered about the Guidelines or HPC process and making sure your application is technically complete will help to facilitate the application process in the long run. Call the Planning Department at 301-600- 1499 and ask to speak with a Historic Preservation Planner.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE p. 2 …………. Pythian Castle Turns 100 p. 3 ………………...History of the FTHD p. 3…... Do You Know These Buildings? p. 4 ….Mesker & Brother: Front Builders p. 5….....Wood Window Workshop 2011 p. 5…………………………….....Updates p. 6 …...... Historic Preservation Awards p. 7……………….Meet the Commission p. 8……………………….2012 Schedule 72 East South Street (pictured right) in 2002.

Visit us at http://cityoffrederick.com/preservation 1 72 EAST SOUTH STREET PYTHIAN CASTLE (CONTINUED) CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

Catherine found the old house charming The Pythian Castle, located at 20 with its hidden alcoves, peculiar marks, North Court Street, was constructed and strange closets nestled under the by Mountain City Lodge No. 29 of the stairs that gave the building a sense of Knights of Pythias in 1911. The history. She felt that there was something exterior of the building retains much of comforting about a home that had its original detailing. already seen a century and liked the idea that her home lived long before her and would continue to exist long after she was gone.

At the time Catherine purchased her home, the old metal roof was leaking, the rear brick chimney was crumbling, and Window restoration work at 72 East South the windows were in need of attention. Street, 2011. However, the building was in generally sound condition which allowed the new Catherine had some difficulty finding a homeowner to live on site as contractor that was sensitive to the revitalization work began. The top priority idiosyncrasies of an old house. So, when was to replace the deteriorated roof with it came time to restore her old windows, new standing-seam metal. Shortly after, she opted to do the work herself with the the rear brick chimney was repointed and help and guidance of Doug Claytor, a local preservationist and master the front entry, which held a plain replacement door, was exchanged for a craftsman. In the summer of 2008 The lodge was chartered as a non- new paneled one that fit better with the Catherine and Patty learned how to sectarian fraternal order in 1869 and historic character of the home. repair sashes, make dutchmans, epoxy once had nearly 2,800 members. The the wood where rot had damaged the primary object of the organization is to frames and reglaze the glass. This is an promote friendship among men and to ongoing project and neighbors can relieve suffering. sometimes spot Catherine and Patty working on their windows. However, the hard work is paying off and the building is look stunning.

So what’s next for 72 East South Street? In addition to preserving their old windows, Catherine and Patty are planning to repoint and repaint the historic masonry. After years of use, old buildings sometime require extra attention to maintain, but with a little planning their unique character can be References and more information: preserved. The Pythians: The Order of Knights of Pythias Within the City there are thousands of http://www.pythias.org/index.php historic buildings that contribute to the charm of the community. Whether your Timothy L. Cannon, Tom Gorsline, This 1897 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map is the building is simply detailed like and Nancy F. Whitmore; Pictorial earliest document to depict 72 East South Street Catherine’s, or ornately designed, each History of Frederick Maryland: The (formerly addressed 64 East South Street). The is a part of the urban fabric that makes First 250 Years 1745-1995. F&B building’s footprint has remained unchanged. downtown Frederick a place worth Printing; Frederick, MD, 1995. preserving.

2 Visit us at http://www.cityoffrederick.com/preservation DO YOU KNOW THESE HISTORY OF THE FREDERICK TOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT BUILDINGS?

Inspired by Frederick’s bicentennial in “Operation Town Action” in an effort to 1945, a group of residents recognizing renovate and restore the downtown. It is the unique character of the downtown estimated that over 1000 people and wanted to protect it, formed the participated and more than 60 properties Historic Zone Committee. In 1952, the were improved. Shortly thereafter in City created the “Old Frederick District” 1976, the great Frederick Flood caused that encompassed a few blocks and the many areas of the City including the Architectural Commission was historic downtown. After several years of established. The “Old Frederick District” grassroots efforts, the historic district’s was the second city in Maryland and the boundaries were expanded in 1977 and thirteenth in the nation to establish a then again in 1995. In 2001 the name of local historic district. The Architectural the district was changed to the “Frederick Commission made recommendations on Town Historic District.” plans to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. With the adoption of the City’s Land Photo #1: Two front doors??? Management Code in 2005, criteria and In 1963 the state passed the Historic procedures for designating new districts The traditional German two-front-door District Commission Act which enabled and individual landmarks were house is a single-family residence with local governments to establish historic established. As a result, the Historic one door opening into the kitchen side districts and commissions empowered District Commission became the Historic and the other into the parlor or formal with review authority. In 1967, Preservation Commission to more part of the house. These were Frederick residents, businessmen, the accurately reflect their purpose. There important and persistent traditions Downtown Frederick Association and are over 75 designated local historic among the German American residents other civic groups petitioned the Mayor districts, including those in Baltimore of Frederick County and Frederick City. and Board of Aldermen for a Historic City, throughout the state. The Frederick

District Commission under the 1963 act. Town Historic District constitutes the Part of the petitioners’ plea included the largest contiguous collection of historic positive impact preservation would have resources in the state. on tourism in the City. In 1968 as a

result of these efforts, a Historic District TIMELINE

Commission was created. 1945 Bicentennial celebration

1952 “Old Frederick District” established

Photo #2: Decorative Detailing 1963 State Historic District Commission Act

This metal panel, with an Art Deco 1968 City Historic District Commission design, is an important architectural established

detail to this notable building in 1974 Operation Town Action downtown Frederick. Typical Art Deco 1976 Great Frederick Flood ornamentation consists of low relief geometrical designs, often in the form 1977 Historic District boundaries expanded of parallel straight lines, zigzags, chevrons and stylized floral motifs that 1995 Historic District boundaries represented the sleekness of the expanded

modern machine age. 2001 Old Frederick District becomes

the Frederick Town Historic

In 1974 a volunteer group of artists,

District

architects, merchants, property owners, 2005 Historic District Commission civic and government leaders initiated

becomes the Historic

Answers Photo #1: #1: Photo Barbara Fritchie at House 154 West Patrick Street; #2: Photo 154 North Street Market

Preservation Commission

Visit us at http://cityoffrederick.com/preservation 3 MESKER & BROTHER: FRONT BUILDERS

The building featured in the features a unique stamped sheet metal References and for more information: Winter/Spring 2011 “Do you know what façade, cornice and pediment—all building this is?” was 36 South Market specialties of the Mesker Brothers.  , “Preservation Street. The photograph featured a detail Popular by the 1870s, stamped sheet Brief 27: The Maintenance and of the building’s cast iron storefront which metal was light, easy work with, Repair of Architectural Cast Iron,” was manufactured by the Mesker inexpensive and could be installed over available at www.nps.gov/tps/how-to- Brothers of St. Louis, MO. Cast iron was existing facades. It was ideal for upper preserve/briefs.htm widely used for industrial purposes at the stories where it would not be damaged beginning of the 19th century; it was not by activity at the street.  Historic Illinois, “Sibling Rivalry Good until the 1850s that it became a popular for Illinois Architecture: The Meskers’ material for storefronts and other Sheet-Metal Businesses,” April 2006, architectural elements cities across the available at www.gotmesker.com country. The material continued to be used until the early 20th century when  Mesker & Bro. 1906 catalog. Also at steel became more popular. www.gotmesker.com/.

Mesker Bro’s Front Builders embossed nameplate at 36 South Market Street

Brothers Bernard and Frank Mesker operated the Mesker & Brother Iron Works in St. Louis while the other brother George owned and operated the George L. Mesker & Co. in Evansville, IN. They were two of the largest and best known sheet metal manufacturers in the country. Both companies provided catalogs with engravings of standard elements and conducted their business by mail order. In fact there are many 36 South Market Street, 1983 items from the Mesker & Brother 1906

catalog present at 36 South Market Cast iron storefronts were appealing Street, such as the columns, pediment, because they could be identical and cornice and signature fleur-di-lis. interchangeable parts could be mass Engravings from the Mesker & Brother 1906 produced at a low cost and shipped Catalog (above and below) across the country. They could be constructed in far less time than comparable stone facades and the need for an architect or skilled craftsman was eliminated. The material’s fireproof qualities were also touted in light of the major urban conflagrations of the period.

In addition to the cast iron storefront, the building at 36 South Market Street also

4 Visit us at http://www.cityoffrederick.com/preservation

WOOD WINDOW WORKSHOP 2011 UPDATES  Public Notice Eliminated. On April 7, 2011, the Mayor & Board of Aldermen On May 14, 2011, the City of Frederick If you have an idea for a topic you would amended the Land Management Historic Preservation Commission, the like to see covered in a future workshop, Code to eliminate the requirement to Frederick County Historic Preservation contact the Planning Department at 301- post a public notice sign for 10 days Commission and the Frederick County 600-1499 and ask for a historic for Historic Preservation Commission Landmarks Foundation co-sponsored a preservation planner. Otherwise, stay applications that qualify for wood window repair workshop. This tuned for future preservation related Administrative Approval. This workshop was largely funded by non- workshops. change was a result of citizen input. competitive grants from the Maryland To see if your application qualifies for Historical Trust specifically for administrative approval, visit Commission member education and www.cityoffrederick.com/preservation training. The City and County receive or call 301-600-1499. these grants for being Certified Local Governments.  New Email List. If you are interested in receiving the Frederick Newel Post On a chilly, rainy morning, members of and other preservation-related news the City’s HPC and other property from the City please contact Shannon owners gathered to listen and learn from Albaugh to join the list. David Gibney and his assistants from [email protected] Historic Restoration Specialists as they described the history of windows, window  We want your feedback! The maintenance, the components of Planning Department is including an windows and how they operate and how online questionnaire with all decisions to take apart a window to make repairs. issued by the Historic Preservation They also demonstrated specific tools, Commission. We encourage you to techniques and products that participate so that we can serve you homeowners can utilize to make Gibney explains the parts of a window (above), and better. Your feedback is important! necessary repairs themselves. shows how to make a repair as Commissioner Gary Baker and others observe (below)  Online Forms Updated. The Historic Preservation Commission has updated all application forms and informational packets. These documents are now available online or by visiting the Planning Department at 140 West Patrick Street.

 Historic District Survey Project The City was awarded a $25,000 Certified Local Government grant from the Maryland Historical Trust. This grant is being used to hire an architectural historian consultant to evaluate all properties in the National Register Frederick Historic District and determine if they are contributing or non-contributing to that district. The grant will also be used digitize all the City’s slides from the 1960-70s. Once the project is completed, this information will be readily accessible to the public through SpiresGIS.

Visit us at http://cityoffrederick.com/preservation 5

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 

2012 CITY OF FREDERICK

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

AWARDS 2011 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS

All nominations must be for properties located within the City of Frederick. Properties do not have to be within the Frederick Town Historic District or have historic preservation overlay designation to be eligible for these awards but the property must be at least 50 years old or older. Projects must have been completed within the last three years and will be evaluated according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, as applicable. Award categories include:

New Construction: 629 North Market  Bricks and Mortar Rehabilitation Street, Bernard W. Brown Community Awarded for superlative work in Center Zavos Architecture + Design, LLC & the restoration or rehabilitation of Housing Authority of the City of Frederick

a historic property. Rehabilitation: 121 Record Street

Kirsten & John Johansen  New Construction

Awarded for the sensitive design and construction of a new structure, whether an infill project or addition to an existing building.

 Stewardship Awarded for exemplary maintenance of an historic property or impeccable workmanship on an historic property.

 Community Leadership Stewardship: 15 West Patrick Street Awarded to an individual or Frederick Arts Council

organization for extraordinary service to the City of Frederick in the field of historic preservation.

Completed nominations are due March 16, 2011 and will be reviewed by the

Historic Preservation Awards Rehabilitation: 8 West 7th Street Committee. Presentation of the Murphy Properties, LLC awards will take place in May 2012 with the final date, time and location TBA. Honorable Mention: 344 North Market Questions? Call 301-600-1499 or visit Street Elizabeth & Douglas Comer, www.cityofrederick.com/preservation Joel T. Anderson and click on “Resources.”

6 Visit us at http://www.cityoffrederick.com/preservation  MEET THE COMMISSION 

Scott Winnette, Chairman. In the late Howard Marvin Jones House. As an Haven, Connecticut, to New Orleans, 1980s Scott served as a database instructor at the International Institute of Louisiana. As Head of The Banner programmer for the Middle Tennessee Interior Design in Washington D.C. School, Stephen feels privileged to be State University Center for Historic Robert’s course work requirements the steward of three spectacular 1923 Preservation creating a searchable focused on the history of the decorative buildings, once the home of the electronic catalog for the Center’s 75,000 arts and fundamentals of design. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and slides of historic buildings and places. Robert’s passion for art and architecture, he certainly has a personal and During that time, Scott learned the along with a B. Sc. in interior design, lead professional stake in the historic nomenclature of and developed a him to volunteer on the Historic preservation of Frederick. passion for historic preservation. Preservation Commission in Frederick. Thereafter, when he selected places to Brian Dylus. Brian has been a resident live he was always mindful of the area’s Robert serves on the Historic of the City for more than 19 years. His visible history. Scott is delighted to live Preservation Commission because as a home is just outside of the Historic in Frederick where the extraordinary property and business owner in the District on Rosemont Avenue near Hood array of spectacularly preserved historic district he realizes the importance College. Living outside of the Historic buildings communicates many facets of of maintaining the economic viability and District gives him an unbiased eye, while history—histories of our Country’s the value of fostering civic beauty in the having a substantial interest in the federation, Civil War, economic, district. Robert appreciates the diversity continued success of downtown industrial and agricultural development, of architectural styles and all the great Frederick and the preservation of its first middle class, troubled slavery, examples of architectural detailing that character. Germanic immigration, and the histories constitute Frederick’s historic district but Brian’s 25 year career in construction of many beloved families reside in the his favorite is the 1814 Neoclassical gem management with national multi-billion beautiful red brick and hard wood at 21-23 North Court Street, the old All dollar firms makes him uniquely suited to buildings. Saints Episcopal Church. be a contributing member of the As a part of his civic duty, Scott serves Stephen Parnes. Stephen is the Head Commission. He has been involved with on the Historic Preservation Commission of School at The Banner School, the preservation of many commercial and as a proud property owner of one of its Frederick County's only nonsectarian residential projects throughout the United row houses and as one mindful of how independent day school, serving States. Brian has had a direct hard it is for people to see beyond students in preschool through 8th grade. construction management role in projects present moments and needs to what can In addition to serving on the Historic such as the recent historic preservation, and should be protected for the common Preservation Commission, Stephen renovation and addition to the Kennedy- good. The best times of Scott’s life are serves on the board of directors for both Warren apartment building in spent walking with his spouse down the the Frederick Arts Council and Heartly Washington, DC and the streets of downtown Frederick enjoying House. As a proud resident of the Botanic Garden Conservatory adjacent to the community and the homes and Historic District, Stephen's first encounter the U.S. Capital building. When coupled businesses that thrive in its rich built with the HPC was on the other side of with his experience in contract heritage. Scott serves as a pastor in the dais, as he appeared at a hearing to negotiation and construction dispute Rockville, MD. have a case decided on changes to a resolution, Brian’s career has provided shed on his property; hence, he is him with the knowledge required for a Robert Jones, Vice-Chairman. understanding and experienced as both position on this Commission. As his Robert’s expertise in historic preservation a commissioner and a downtown children are now in high school and exists on many levels. He is the homeowner. college, Brian now has the time to professional designer at Jones & volunteer his efforts to the Commission. Eberhardt’s design firm in Frederick. The In addition to being an educator, Stephen firm offers consultation on historic also holds a master's degree in design interiors and structures. The firm was studies, with a concentration in instrumental in establishing the first architectural history and theory, and has twentieth-century home on the Frederick been a preservationist for many, many County Register of Historic Places, the years from Roanoke, Virginia, to New

Visit us at http://cityoffrederick.com/preservation 7 Planning Department 140 West Patrick Street Frederick, Maryland 21701 Phone 301-600-1499 Fax 301-600-1837

Mayor Randy McClement Aldermen Karen Lewis Young, President Pro Tem Michael C. O’Connor Shelley M. Aloi Carol L. Krimm Kelly M. Russell

Historic Preservation Commission Scott Winnette, DMin, Chairman Robert Jones, Vice Chairman Gary Baker, RA Shawn Burns Kate McConnell, AICP Stephen Parnes Brian Dylus, Alternate Michael C. O'Connor, Aldermanic Liaison

Deputy Director of Public Works for Planning 2012 SCHEDULE Joseph Adkins, AICP HISTORIC PRESERVATIO N COMMISSION Application deadline Public hearing Manager of Comprehensive Planning January 19 February 9 Matthew Davis, AICP February 2 February 23 February 16 March 8 Historic Preservation Staff March 1 March 22 Lisa Mroszczyk Murphy March 15 April 12

Historic Preservation Planner April 5 April 26 301-600-6278 April 19 May 10 [email protected] May 3 May 24 May 17 June 14 Christina Martinkosky June 7 June 28 Historic Preservation Planner June 21 July 12 301-600-1831 July 5 July 26 July 19 August 9 [email protected] August 2 August 23

August 16 September 13 Shannon Albaugh September 27 September 6 Administrative Assistant September 20 October 11 301-600-2995 October 4 October 25 [email protected] October 18 November 8 November 15 December 13 December 20 Jan. 10, 2013

8 Visit us at http://www.cityoffrederick.com/preservation