In addition to Harford and Frederick counties, Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is working with Calvert County and Peace and Plenty historic district in Frederick County to develop the guidelines that protect and preserve historic sites.
Calvert County
Every community has a unique history that is passed down in stories and practiced in rooted traditions, but many historical details also are told through community landmarks, where those stories come to life in the details of Architecture.
“It’s an interesting journey to dig into the history of a community and find what is so special about each place,” says Rebecca McCormick, Architect with Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects.
Thanks in part to grant funding from the Maryland Historical Trust, both Harford and Frederick counties in Maryland have been working with M&D to create Historic Preservation Guidelines. In addition, the firm started creating guidelines for Calvert County, as well as historic district “Peace and Plenty” within Frederick County.
‘A lot of benefit’
Rather than cataloging historical sites, these guidelines give the residents and community leaders a set of best practices that are reviewed by and help Architects, contractors, and the general public as they rehabilitate properties.
Historical structures are recognized at various government levels. Generally, federal and state levels don’t have oversite to what owners can do with their properties, but they do provide protection of properties.
On a local level, historical properties do have to follow guidelines set forth and reviewed by the County Historic Commissions.
“Designating your sites not only protects them but increases property values and helps with the overall development of a community,” McCormick says. “There’s a lot of benefit, and it’s all voluntary for a community to go through this process.”
Giving the community voice
The rural farm community of “Peace and Plenty” in Frederick County is made up of large agricultural complexes, where many of the farm structures are historic but have to be modified to fit modern farming practices.
Beyond the buildings, McCormick is looking at open landscapes because those also have an impact on historic guidelines and preserving the way a place looks.
“The great thing is that Frederick County is including many of the farmers and property owners in the discussion to learn their needs. That will help create guidelines that help preserve that history and community identity while also being in tune to what the farmers need,” she says. “It takes a community working together to make these guidelines helpful to everyone involved.”
The guidelines are meant to address all situations in the community, including landscape features like ponds or rivers, mountains, and even crops.
“We often think of a community’s identity in the buildings, but there are so many other things that bring meaning,” McCormick says. “Preserving that, with every member of a community represented, can be very empowering.”
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects took on the Architecture, Interior Design, & Overall Project Management for the new Bedford Elementary School, and the outcome is impactful.