Maryland Preservation Plan

Number of Pages:  38
Approval Date:  June 27, 2005
Planning Cycle:  6 years

Contact Information:

Nicole Diehlmann, Administrator
Statewide Preservation Programs
Maryland Historical Trust
100 Community Place
Crownsville, Maryland 21032-2023
(410) 514-7625; fax (410) 987-4071
E-mail:diehlmann@dhcd.state.md.us
Website: www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/Preservationplan05.pdf

Mission/Vision Statement:
Not provided in the Plan.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgements
Executive Summary

1. Preparing the Maryland Preservation Plan
   1. Public Participation
   2. 2005 and Beyond
   3. How to Use this Plan
2. Statewide Priorities for Heritage Resource Conservation in Maryland
   1. Growth Management and Neighborhood Revitalization
   2. Economic Development and Heritage Tourism
   3. Heritage Resource Education
   4. Heritage Resource Protection
3. The Status of Heritage Resources in Maryland
   1. State Historic Preservation Office
   2. Identification, Documentation, and Evaluation
   3. Registration of Historic Properties
   4. Protection
4. Suggestions for Implementing Statewide Goals for Heritage Resource Conservation
Selected Bibliography
Appendices
Statewide Historic Contexts
Partners in Statewide Heritage Resource Conservation
Preservation Legislation

PLAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Public Participation Strategies:

• Task Force on the Preservation and Enhancement of Maryland Heritage Resources established to assess the condition of heritage resources and trends affecting them, to evaluate the effectiveness of heritage resource assistance programs, and to recommend action to benefit Maryland's citizens from the state's heritage resources;
• Six public Task Force meetings co-sponsored by various state and local preservation and history organizations;
• Task Force report, Preserving a Quality of Life, informed this plan revision;
• Additional 4 public workshops hosted by MHT to identify the most pressing heritage conservation issues and how to address them;
• Questionnaire to gauge involvement and interest in heritage resource conservation;
• Additional public and professional feedback during regular conferences, training seminars, and various planning retreats, and through informal visits and conversations between MHT staff and subgrantees, local planners, and preservation professionals and advocates.

• Collected information about state population and growth trends from 2000 U.S. Census reports, various planning documents, and discussions with planners.

ISSUES, THREATS, & OPPORTUNITIES

• Major issues are growth management and neighborhood revitalization, economic development and heritage tourism, education and heritage resource appreciation, heritage resource protection, and technological, financial, and legal tools;
• Population growth and related infrastructure demands contributed to sprawling urbanization, overtaxed road systems, piecemeal residential development in rural areas, and overextended and under-funded infrastructure systems;
• Planning Act of 1992 requires local comprehensive plans, and state-funded public works must be consistent with the State's Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy as well as the local plan;
• Potential in historic communities with under- or unused historic buildings to provide variety of housing options and business locations;
• Some communities are experiencing population increases with related demand for employment opportunities and services, while other communities face decreasing investment and out-migration;
• Main Street Maryland Program helps improve the economy, appearance, and image of traditional downtown business districts;
• Local heritage preservation benefits from business-attraction programs of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and the Office of Tourism Development;
• Richness of historic communities, museums, and scenic and natural resources are assets that can contribute to economic health of local communities;
• Maryland Heritage Area program fosters partnerships between state agencies and local communities to capitalize on the state's distinctive regions as heritage areas;
• Variety of financial assistance programs available to support heritage resource activities, including federal and state rehab tax credits, local property tax credits, federal and state grant programs, and revolving loan fund programs;
• Current inventory of prehistoric and historic upland and underwater archeological sites is incomplete;
• Increased urgency and heightened need for continued surveys to identify and document historic structures and archeological sites located in development's path;
• Historic building abandonment due to urban disinvestment and out migration;
• Building demolition due to insensitive development techniques in both established communities and rural areas;
• Agricultural practices can damage heritage resources;
• Changing lifestyles threaten cultural traditions, leading to, for example, subdivision of family farmsteads and the disappearance of traditional crafts and folkways and historic occupations;
• MHT and others carry out folklore programs to document the state's varied cultural traditions;
• Increasing population creates demand for new residential, commercial, and industrial development, which increased threats to historic resources;
• Easement programs help protect historic, archeological, natural, and scenic properties;
• Heritage Preservation and Tourism Areas Program helps local communities promote, protect, and interpret their heritage resources by capitalizing heritage tourism potential.

1. Effectively manage growth by encouraging neighborhood revitalization.
2. Stimulate economic development through heritage tourism.
3. Increase public awareness and appreciation of Maryland's heritage resources.
4. Encourage heritage resource protection in communities throughout the state.
5. Secure technological, financial, and legal tools sufficient to preserve Maryland's heritage resources.

1. Manage growth through neighborhood revitalization.
   • Revitalize older neighborhoods and commercial centers;
   • Develop local, regional, and state comprehensive plans with growth policies that are compatible with heritage resource protection.
2. Stimulate economic development through heritage tourism.
   • Implement Heritage Area Management Plans through interpretation, promotion, protection, and enhancement of heritage resources;
   • Strengthen the interpretative and tourism potential of local communities;
   • Develop interjurisdictional, intergovernmental, and interdisciplinary partnerships.
3. Increase public awareness and appreciation.
   • Focus educational programs for all ages on Maryland's diverse history and significant heritage resources;
   • Offer heritage preservation educational opportunities through readily accessible communication options;
   • Strengthen partnerships and linkages among government agencies, preservation organizations, and individuals who support heritage conservation.
4. Protect heritage resources in local communities.
   • Identify, evaluate, and protect Maryland's significant heritage resources;
   • Strengthen land use strategies and programs that preservation important architectural and archeological resources;
   • Improve techniques, treatments, and tools available to local communities for heritage preservation.
5. Obtain the technological, financial, and legal tools for resource preservation.
   • Increase the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of heritage resource information;
   • Leverage investments to enhance and sustain heritage resources through easily accessible incentives;
   • Eliminate disincentives to the enhancement and sustainability of heritage resources.

FEATURES OF NOTE
Chapter IV offers suggestions for how state and local government officials, non-profit organizations, and individuals can take action to help implement the Plan's goals.