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The 2007 MHT Preservation Awards
The Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees presented ten Maryland Preservation Awards at a ceremony June 1, 2007, during the 2007 Preservation and Revitalization Conference in Chestertown. The Board presented three Educational Excellence Awards; one Heritage Book Award; three Preservation Project Awards; two Stewardship Awards; and one Preservation Service Award.
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Educational Excellence Awards are presented to individuals, organizations or agencies for projects that directly serve to educate the public about any aspect of Maryland's heritage.
 The Dorchester County Underground Railroad/Harriet Tubman Interpretive Program
The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area (HCCHA), an office within the Dorchester County Tourism Department, developed a multifaceted interpretive program to make the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad more accessible to those who live in and visit Dorchester County. HCCHA developed a mapped driving tour, exhibits and roadside signs that explain the close connection among communities, landscapes and waterways along the route designated the Underground Railroad Scenic Byway. The brochure, "Finding a Way to Freedom," outlines a 105-mile self-guided driving tour that takes visitors on a journey through nationally significant stories and landscapes associated with Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in Dorchester and Caroline Counties. The exhibits, installed in one Caroline and two Dorchester county museums, present issues related to slavery, the Underground Railroad, and Harriet Tubman. The four wayside signs provide a historical context, orientation to the scenic byway, and highlight key places, people and events.
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 The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Natural and Historical Resources Division Archaeology Program: Confluence of Three Cultures: Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park Interpretive Project
The project included design and installation of ten interpretive wayside panels and production an interpretive brochure for the Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park, located in eastern Prince George’s County along the shores of the Patuxent River at Jug Bay. The installation of ten interpretive wayside panels provide access to the interpretation of Mount Calvert’s historical and archaeological resources to site visitors when staff is not available. The wayside panels provide an overview of the peoples who have inhabited the site, as well as an understanding of some of the historical events that have taken place there. The brochure publicizes the park, encourages visitation, and provides interpretation of Mount Calvert to a wide public audience. The brochure is distributed to the public via M-NCPPC historic sites and museums, the Prince George’s County Consortium of Historic Sites and Museums, and Maryland State Visitor’s Centers.
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 The Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society: Trails, Tracks, Tarmac – Irene Butler Hebron Historical Project
The “Trails, Tracks, Tarmac” exhibit, displayed at the Banneker Douglass Museum in Annapolis, contains rich, often personal, remembrances and stories of Northern Anne Arundel County’s African American communities set in historical context and displayed in varied media. Central to the exhibit is a collection of twenty-five documentary story quilts, which use colorful words and imagery to present a description of the quilt-maker’s community. Each quilt tells an account that is independent, while at the same time contributes to the exhibit’s unifying story. The exhibit also includes artifacts – such as manumission papers, personal items, railroad and farming tools, and a full-size “Arabber” Wagon – which present stories of African American contributions, influence and work roles in Northern Anne Arundel county life. A large mural gives both retrospective and prospective on this collected community story, providing a comprehensive last statement to compliment what the community quilt says at the beginning of the exhibit.
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HERITAGE BOOK AWARDS
Heritage Book Awards are presented to the author and primary supporting or sponsoring entity for heritage books of scholarly or general interest that contribute to a better understanding of Maryland’s architectural, archaeological, or cultural heritage.
 "It Ain't Like It Was Then" - The Seafood Packing Industry of Southern Maryland, by Richard J. Dodds and Robert J. Hurry, published by the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons
The book tracks the seafood packing industry from its early days in Baltimore in the 1860s through the decentralization that took place in the following decades, to its 20th century emergence in Southern Maryland and other more remote locals. The book describes how typical oyster packing and crab picking houses work and takes a look at the local soft clam industry, which appeared late on the scene in the 1950s. Calvert Marine Museum staff spent much of two years conducting research for this publication - in the museum's own library, as well as in county, state, and federal records, newspaper accounts, oral history interviews, and correspondence with many residents whose families were engaged in the industry. The result is the most comprehensive study of the subject to date, and the book stands as a permanent record of what was one of the most important industries in Southern Maryland and the related way of life that has largely disappeared from the Southern Maryland landscape.
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PRESERVATION PROJECT AWARDS
Preservation Project Awards are presented to property owners for restoration or rehabilitation projects that demonstrate superlative historic preservation standards.
 Charles Carroll House of Annapolis
The Carroll House holds great historical significance for the State of Maryland and the United States as the home of Charles Carroll the Settler, first Attorney General of Maryland; his son, Charles Carroll of Annapolis; and his son, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. The project incorporates the stabilization and restoration of the primary structural systems, repair of a slate roof, and solutions to building envelope/moisture intrusion problems. Project work included a detailed examination of the condition of the historic building elements and a structural analysis of the masonry wall and timber framing, which lead to a comprehensive rehabilitation of exterior painted elements. Minor slate roofing repairs were completed to assure a weather-tight roof and all the gutters and downspouts were enlarged to increase the capacity of the system to assure excellent rain water management. A reinforcement strategy was implemented to physically connect the wooden cross beams to the masonry walls using tension bars and star anchors through the wall. Lastly, a wooden, two-story link between the Carroll House and the Rectory was fully removed and repairs were made to the exposed masonry walls and door openings.
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 Tremont Grand, Baltimore City
The Tremont Grand, on North Charles Street in Baltimore, was originally the fraternal order of Masons’ Grand Lodge. William C. Smith & Co. invested $25 million, with support from state and federal tax credit programs as well as assistance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the New Markets tax credit program, to convert the former Masonic Temple for use as a conference and event facility. The focus of the project was to restore the exterior and interior of the building to its original grandeur while adapting it to the modern requirements of a conference and event facility. This involved the careful insertion of modern systems and service spaces while preserving the historic integrity of the various assembly rooms and public spaces. A measure of the success of this renovation project is the degree to which contemporary requirements of the hospitality industry were met while preserving the historic architecture. In addition, this project is notable in that it represents a significant investment in the revitalization of Charles Street in Baltimore.
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 The MacGillivray’s Building, Baltimore City
The MacGillivray’s Building, LLC is recognized for the rehabilitation of the MacGillivray’s Building, located one block north of Mt. Vernon Place in Baltimore. The project consisted of the structural stabilization, rehabilitation and adaptive use of two Second Empire buildings. The main building, built in the early 1860s, had for years housed MacGillivray’s Drug Store on the ground floor and apartments and offices above. The buildings were purchased at auction in 2003 by a group of neighborhood residents to save them from being demolished for a surface parking lot. The main building had serious structural problems, which were addressed through the installation of twin steel armatures and the re-pluming of masonry walls. The roof of the main building was removed, the Mansard walls braced, and new roof joists installed. New structural walls were installed to replace compromised internal structural walls and the floors were leveled as much as possible. The retail space was rehabilitated and the storefront was restored to approximate its 1870s appearance. The upper floors were rehabbed for six modern apartments. This project is particularly notable for is sponsor. A group of eighteen neighborhood families and Midtown Development Corporation joined together in a unique partnership to successfully rescue and rehabilitate the building and bring life back to the corner of West Read and Charles Street.
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STEWARDSHIP AWARDS
Stewardship Awards recognize outstanding efforts in the maintenance and preservation of Maryland Historical Trust easement properties. They are presented to the steward of the property in recognition of their dedication to and appreciation of the easement as a preservation tool.
 South Baltimore Learning Center – Southern Police Station, Baltimore City
A 2007 Stewardship Award is presented to the South Baltimore Learning Center in recognition of its stewardship of the Southern Police Station in Baltimore City. The Southern Police Station has been a vital part of the South Baltimore community from the time of its construction in 1896. The National Register-listed Southern Police Station remained in police use until the mid-1980s, at which time several nonprofit organizations, including the South Baltimore Learning Center,became tenants. The South Baltimore Learning Center later purchased the building, and in 1998, undertook what became a seven-year renovation project that included replacing all of the building’s systems, lead and asbestos abatement, roof repair, and removing inappropriate alterations done previously. Remaining historic windows were restored, and where original windows were missing, new windows based on the originals were installed. The front door was reintroduced in its original location. Many of the police station’s original spaces -- such as one jail cell, the cell room, and others of the building’s original work spaces -- have been restored and sensitively adapted to meet the programmatic requirements of the South Baltimore Learning Center.
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 Ronald & Audrey Edwards – Red Lyon Tavern, Charlestown, Cecil County
A 2007 Stewardship Award is presented to Ronald & Audrey Edwards in recognition of their stewardship of the National Register-listed Red Lyon Tavern. By the middle of the twentieth century, the circa 1745 Red Lyon was vacant and in a state of disrepair, but stood largely unchanged since the nineteenth century. MHT funding helped to stabilize the Red Lyon in 1976, but the owner at the time did little else to maintain the structure. Upon discovering that the Red Lyon foundation was deteriorating, the owner consequently subdivided the property and sold the Red Lyon to Ronald & Audrey S. Edwards in December 1995. Since that time, the Edwards have been proud, joyful, and careful stewards of the Red Lyon, as they have overseen a decade-long, multiphase restoration effort. The Edwards have undertaken the structural reinforcement of the stone foundation in the kitchen section, the repair or reconstruction of all the foundation walls in the main section, the excavation – by hand – of the Red Lyon’s basement, the rebuilding of two chimneys, installation of new wood shingle roofing, and repair of all the siding boards, windows and shutters. The Edwards installed HVAC and electrical distribution systems, and rebuilt a fireplace and hearth. All work was carefully researched, planned and completed with MHT Easement Committee approval. But even with all this work behind them, the Edwards are not finished. They hope to complete work on the Porter’s Tavern and the kitchen sections in 2007, with future work on the Red Lyon Tavern proper to follow slowly and carefully.
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PRESERVATION SERVICE AWARDS
Preservation Service Awards are presented to individuals, organizations, agencies or institutions in recognition of laudable activities or accomplishments that advance the public’s appreciation, understanding and involvement in historic preservation or conservation of living traditions.
 Whitehaven Heritage Association, Wicomico County
Whitehaven, located on the Wicomico River in Wicomico County, is by any definition small and rural. The village has twenty-four houses, forty year-round residents, and is located eight miles from the nearest filling station or grocery store. Nonetheless, Whitehaven is home to a community of active, dedicated historic preservationists. The Whitehaven Heritage Association – or WHA – is a nonprofit organization originally formed in 1993 as a centennial committee for the village’s church. From these beginnings, the Heritage Association’s mission expanded and over the years its accomplishments mounted. WHA members worked to collect, promote and preserve the history of their little, 300 year old, National Register-listed, waterman’s community. Since 1993, the organization has helped to restore two village landmarks – the circa 1886 Whitehaven Schoolhouse and the 1892 Whitehaven Methodist Church. WHA members lead efforts to designate Whitehaven as a Wicomico County local historic district. WHA has also sponsored numerous events that have raised more than $120,000 to reinvest in preserving the community while bringing in the broader community to experience Whitehaven’s local culture. Before WHA’s formation, the history of Whitehaven was largely unresearched, uninvestigated, and unpublished. Through the efforts of WHA’s general membership, which has averaged between 130 and 180 members, and the efforts of a core group of the organization’s supporters, Whitehaven’s heritage has been rediscovered, preserved, and shared with a wide audience.
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The Maryland Historical Trust would like to congratulate its 2007 award winners for their dedication to the preservation of Maryland’s architectural and cultural heritage. For information about the awards program, contact Nicole Diehlmann, Administrator, Statewide Preservation Programs, at 410-514-7625.
Last updated: October 9, 2007
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