Maryland's Field of Firsts
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Preservation Maryland PROTECTING THE BEST OF MARYLAND . PRESMD.ORG Page 1 Inside Maryland General Assembly 2017 THE Ellicott City Revitalization Grants SPRING 2017 2 . VOL. 34 NO. 3 The Old Line State Summit PreserveList Phoenix 3 Staff Update and Annual Report New Heritage Fund Grant Awards Partners & Sponsors . Postcard-PUBLISHED BestOfMaryland copy.pdf 1 4/7/2017 1:34:20 PM QUARTERLY FOR MEMBERS OF PRESERVATION MARYLAND Best of Maryland Event 4 DEDICATED TO PRESERVING MARYLAND'S HISTORIC BUILDINGS, NEIGHBORHOODS, LANDSCAPES, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES THROUGH OUTREACH, FUNDING, AND ADVOCACY PReSeRVATION MARYLAND PReSeNTS FROM THE DESK OF NICHOLAS A. REDDING BEST MARYLAND Moving Forward with Purpose and Pride N THE LAST EDITION of The Phoenix, I spokeC M to this organization’s commitment to Y CM MY tackle the big challenges, no matter the CY CMY difficulty or perceived impossibility. SinceK that letter, I am pleased to report that we PRESERVATION AWARDS are making tremendous progress. MAY 11th 2017 SPECIAL RECOGNITION LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS elizabeth hughes, shpo SENATOR BILL FERGUSON Thanks to the support of our donors, we were PRESIDENT’S AWARD SPEAKER PRO TEM ADRIENNE JONES ALLAN KITTLEMAN DELEGATE BROOKE LIERMAN I HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE DELEGATE BRETT WILSON on the ground in Annapolis for the latest session GEARHART AWARD THE PHOENIX AWARD DR. G RAY THOMPSON METROPOLITAN STEWARDSHIP AWARD PARTNERSHIP, LTD. of the Maryland General Assembly and had one of FRIENDS OF TOLSON’S CHAPEL COMMUNITY CHOICE VOLUNTEER AWARD BMORE KITCHEN C&O CANAL CITY OF FREDERICK the best legislative outcomes for preservation in QUARTERMASTERS AV DEPARTMENT ARTISAN AWARD MONTGOMERY MODERN Maryland in nearly 50 years. THE TOWER CO. PYRAMID ART CENTER We also continue to make significant headway in Ellicott City, where in partnership with our colleagues at Michelle Eshelman Historic Ellicott City, Inc., we US Army Signal Corps members prepare track and plane for flight at the College Park Airport in 1909. Source: National are embarking on a $50,000 Archives, USAF Collection. “The History of the College Park Airtport” illustration by Milton Califf, used by the grassroots grant program to inject new financial resources National Aerospace Educational Memorial Center non-profit into the flood-damaged historic community. that advocated for its preservation in the 1960s. Despite these major successes, our work THE COLLEGE PARK AIRPORT AND AVIATION MUSEUM is far from complete. While we are gaining ground in Annapolis, we still live in uncertain times in Washington where the debate over Maryland’s Field of Firsts tax reform legislation is causing preservationists around the nation concern for the future of our Guest essay by Andrea Cochrane Tracey, Museum Director, College Park Aviation Museum federal historic tax credit. This program alone has rehabilitated more than 41,250 buildings The Maryland Milestones Heritage Area through northern Prince nationwide. The future of this credit is the ultimate George’s County is home to the College Park Aviation Campus. advocacy issue which confronts us all and one upon which Preservation Maryland will not rest. HE HISTORIC COMPLEX includes the too. A balloon ascent to scout locations near College Elsewhere, the challenges may not be as College Park Airport, the oldest Park identified the open space of Maryland Agricultural dramatic as those playing out on Capitol Hill, but continuously operating airport in College (now part of the University of Maryland they remain profound and demand our eternal the world (the second oldest is in campus) and the adjacent B&O Railroad tracks – this vigilance. From an increasingly unpredictable France). There is a palpable sense of was the perfection combination of open space and climate to vacancy and disinvestment we stand place here, especially at dusk when accessibility. The acreage was soon leased by the Army. at the center of important discussions about the the runway lights come on, and one With the airfield open, it quickly became the site future of our state and its communities. Your can experience the environment that surrounded people of numerous aviation firsts, including the founding support puts us at the center of these conversations Tof the past doing remarkable things. of First Army Aviation School in 1911; the first U.S. and is making preservation a critical part of the The story of how the College Park Airport came Postal Service Air Mail flight on August 12, 1918; solutions to the challenges confronting Maryland. to be is linked directly to the Wright Brothers. Once and in 1924, the first vertical flight in the United Yours for history and heritage, Orville and Wilbur Wright secured the contract for States (think helicopters). producing a “heavier-than-air flying machine” for the In the ensuing decades, this “field of firsts” was home Signal Corps of the U.S. Army, they needed a remote to small businesses and innovators, flying lessons and air location to fulfill the entire contract that included shows. By the 1960s, however, the field was . Nicholas A. Redding Executive Director teaching two U.S. Army officers how to fly the machine, falling into decay and (continued, page 3 center) »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» CELEBRATING THE BEST OF MARYLAND AWARDEES ADVOCACY LEADS TO NEW NDER AND AMONG an Baltimore County and SENATOR efforts through the Maryland Historical that is supported by 35 volunteers who By the Numbers AND REINSTATED FUNDING amazing collection of BILL FERGUSON Legislative Trust and served as President of the donate thousands of hours of service Uhistoric aircrafts, the Champion / District 46, Baltimore City Board of the National Conference of State to provide this unique experience. This most recent session of the Maryland General Assembly was Maryland preservation community Speaker Pro Tem Jones and Senator Historic Preservation Officers during a THE TOWER COMPANY Naval one of the most productive for preservation in nearly 50 years celebrated the Best of Maryland Ferguson introduced the Maryland critical period of federal advocacy. Academy Guard Houses / Preservation Historic Trust Grant Fund Improvement METROPOLITAN PARTNERSHIP, LTD Artisan Award John Tower of The of advocacy. Grant programs once thought lost forever were awards on Thursday, May 11 at the College Park Aviation Museum. Act, which seeks to ensure the Maryland 10 Light Street / Baltimore City / The Tower Company, working with the resurrected and received their first infusion of cash in nearly 10 The stories told at this Museum Historical Trust’s Grant Fund receives Phoenix Award Metropolitan Partnership Naval Facilities Engineering Command, years. Read more on Page 2. showcase perseverance, ingenuity, funding every year. The bill passed the completed an extraordinary rehabilitation Citadel DCA, and Battle Creek General Assembly and was signed of the former Maryland National Bank Construction restored the guard houses New funding for Maryland Historical and dedication – traits essential for aviators and preservationists! This into law by Governor Hogan on at 10 Light Street into downtown loft of the Naval Academy – two surviving $600K Trust Capital Grant program, the first May 4, 2017. apartments and an Under Armour 19th century structures at the entrance appropriation since 2009. year, in particular, Preservation Maryland sought to recognize DELEGATE BRETT WILSON Legislative Performance Center gym. to the campus. Champion / District 2B, Washington individuals from a range of DR. G. RAY THOMPSON Salisbury COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARDEES New funding for Maryland Historical County Delegate Wilson introduced University / Gearhart Professional CITY OF HYATTSVILLE For bringing Trust Survey & Research Grant program, positions that make preservation the legislation that raised the funding $200K Award Dr. Thompson recently retired anchor tenant Pyramid Atlantic Arts happen, from legislators to cap for the Maryland Heritage Areas first appropriation since 2009. after 40 years of service in preserving Center to the heart of Hyattsville to designers and from artisans to Program that passed this March and will the history the Eastern Shore – teaching rehabilitate a vacant building into an agency leaders. We’re proud to result in additional resources for the 13 New funding for African-American at Salisbury University and founding the arts, design, and heritage hub. recognize the following awardees, heritage areas across the state. Delmarva Historical Archives now the $1 MIL Heritage Preservation Grant program. ACCELERATOR, LLC For re-purposing and you can learn about each at ALLAN KITTLEMAN Howard County Nabb Research Center. and polishing a former car show room bestofmaryland.org. Executive / Ellicott City Flood Response Annual funding secured for Maryland FRIENDS OF TOLSON’S CHAPEL in Baltimore City into B-More Kitchen, / President’s Leadership Award Historical Trust Grant Fund in future DELEGATE BROOKE LIERMAN Washington County / Stewardship a center for food entrepreneurship and $1.5 MIL Responding to the devastating flood years through landmark legislation. Legislative Champion / District 46, Award Due to the persistence of the an awesome event space. in Ellicott City, Executive Kittleman all-volunteer Friend’s group, Tolson’s Baltimore City Delegate Lierman is CITY OF FREDERICK AUDIO VISUAL instituted an effective approach that Chapel now stands as a restored Increase in funding limit for State largely responsible for the budget DEPARTMENT For dramatically provided for the safety