MONTGOMERY COUNTY ARCHIVES

Guide to the Records of the

Montgomery County

Historic Preservation Commission

1965-2000

Record Group 15: Commissions and Boards

October 3, 2000

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The Historic Resources Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 24A of the Montgomery County Code) was adopted in 1979, and provided for the establishment of an Historic Preservation Commission charged with the identification, designation, and regulation of those sites and structures of historical, archaeological, architectural, or cultural value in the County for the purposes of protection, preservation, and continued use and enhancement. The underlying purpose of the Commission, which consists of nine volunteer members appointed by the County Executive with the approval of the Council, is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the County by safeguarding its historical and cultural heritage. Commission members are appointed on the basis of their knowledge of and training in the fields of history, architecture, preservation, or urban design, or as representatives of various geographical, social, economic, or cultural concerns.

Prior to 1979, activities pertaining to historic preservation were administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). In 1977, the DHCD coordinated the County's purchase of Darnell Farm in Poolesville, and worked with Historic Medley, Inc., a local preservation group, to secure funds for the farm's restoration. In 1978, the Department introduced the Historic Preservation Fund, financed by monies from the federal community development block grants and administered by the County's Office of Community Development. The Fund helped individuals and non-profit groups restore structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and registered with the Maryland Historic Trust.

The Commission is specifically charged with researching and evaluating historic resources and recommending historic sites or historic districts for inclusion on the Master Plan for Historic Preservation to the County Planning Board. The Commission is also responsible for reviewing applications for historic area work permits for exterior repairs and alterations on designated historic sites and resources, for serving as a clearinghouse for information on historic preservation, for reviewing subdivision plans involving historic sites, for appointing and working with Local Advisory Committees within historic districts, and for administering historic preservation easement programs, the property tax credit program, and grant and loan programs for historic preservation. The Commission also undertakes numerous public outreach programs, such as organizing educational workshops, developing a preservation education plan, and producing The Preservationist newsletter, and other publications and educational material.

In 1985 Montgomery County became the first political jurisdiction in Maryland to be designated a Certified Local Government (CLG) under the National Historic Preservation Amendment Act of 1980. The Commission made use of the funds obtained through this program to finance projects promoting preservation education and public awareness.

PROVENANCE

Not applicable.

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

General processing procedures consisted of discarding duplicates, unnecessary binders, and routine transmittals. Oversized documents and photographs were removed from the original location in their assigned series and placed in separate containers. Separation sheets were inserted in the original location within the folder to indicate the new location of any records placed elsewhere.

Preservation copying of newspaper clippings was performed whenever feasible. Records in folders were arranged, unless otherwise indicated, in forward chronological order, with undated records appearing at the end of the folder. Photographs originally located in this record title have been transferred to Record Group 19: Audiovisual Materials.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The records of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) consist of 5.0 cubic feet of records dating from 1965 to 2000 which include administrative correspondence, studies, master plans, reports, meeting minutes, agendas, and site surveys. The records document the issuance of Historic Area Work Permits for specific historic sites and the administration of grants and loans program of the HPC for the restoration of historical structures. Topics of interest include a study of black history resources in the County; the Seneca Schoolhouse; plans for and surveys of such areas as Brookeville, Kensington, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park; and the Black Rock Mill capital project. This records are divided into thirteen series.

Series I: Administration

Series II: Chronological Files

Series III: Condemnable Structure Study

Series IV: Grants and Loans

Series V: Historic Area Work Permits

Series VI: Historical Register

Series VII: Master Plan

Series VIII: Minutes

Series IX: Public Hearings

Series X: Reports

Series XI: Site Surveys

Series XII: Newsletters

Series XIII: Clippings.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I: Administration, 1976-1990 (0.75 cu.ft.)

The materials document the day to day activities of the Historic Preservation Commission. These activities included compiling lists of historic sites and preparing applications for federal and state grants and planning programs. Of special significance are materials from the Kensington and Takoma Park Local Advisory Committees as well as items relating to a 20^th century site survey of the County. The series contains memoranda, requests for preliminary studies, reports, guidelines and procedures, correspondence, lists, bylaws, minutes, articles, financial statements, resolutions and executive orders, forms, speeches and work plans.

The folders are arranged alphabetically.

Series II: Chronological Files, 1980-1991 (0.25 cu.ft.)

The series contains correspondence which is arranged chronologically. General correspondence folders are followed by correspondence files maintained by Philip Cantelon, who was chairman of the Commission for several years. The records also include agendas and notes.

Access to one file is restricted because it contains copies of an employee review.

Series III: Condemnable Structure Study, 1978-1981 (one folder)

The series documents the difficulty involved in demolishing sites with historic significance. The Commission's review of condemned structures assessed their historic value and recommend preservation treatment. The Commission was given the power to make such repairs as necessary at the owner's expense. The records contain memoranda and correspondence.

Series IV: Grants and Loans, 1965-1989 (1.0 cu.ft.)

Records in this series relate to the function of the Historic Preservation Commission to provide funding for the restoration and stabilization of historically and architecturally significant structures. The series documents approved and denied grant applications. It includes records relating to the formation of a grant program and the creation of guidelines.

Folders are arranged by the title of the grant fund.

Series V: Historic Area Work Permits, 1978-1991 (0.75 cu.ft.)

This series consists of correspondence regarding, and applications for, Historic Area Work Permits. These permits were issued for any exterior alteration of a historic site which would not be considered part of normal maintenance.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by historic site.

Series VI: Historical Register, 1979-1981 (3 folders)

This series documents cases reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission review process. These cases generally consist of sites which were not on the Atlas of Montgomery County Historic Resources or the Historic Site Plan, or were on the atlas but not on the plan; therefore a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission was necessary to get these sites on the Historic Site Plan. The Historical Register consists of maps, reports, and transcripts of public hearings regarding the nomination of sites and areas in Montgomery County for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Significant correspondents include Eileen McGuckian, Chairperson of the Historical Preservation Commission; Suzanne H. Muncy, intergovernmental coordinator; and James McConnaughay, Director of State Clearinghouse of the Maryland Department of State Planning.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by historic site.

Series VII: Master Plan, 1967-1991 (0.33 cu.ft.)

This series documents the Historic Preservation Commission's reviews of historic sites for inclusion in the Master Plan and Atlas of Montgomery County Historic Resources. The records of the Master Plan reflect the county's cooperation in conducting a survey of historic resources in Montgomery County to establish a master plan for historic preservation. The series includes correspondence, maps, and reports.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by historic site.

Series VIII: Minutes, 1980-1994 (1.0 cu.ft.)

The series contains minutes of the meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission.

Agendas for many of the meetings and handouts for some of them are also included. Some of the minutes are missing. For the years 1992 to 1994, only the agendas are available. In addition, the series also includes reports, correspondence, appointments, and press releases.

The folders are arranged chronologically.

Series IX: Public Hearings, 1987-1990 (2 folders)

The records contain hearings held by the Historic Preservation Commission. The folders are arranged alphabetically by historic site.

Series X: Reports, 1980-1991 (0.25 cu.ft.)

The series reflects annual, monthly and special project reports of the Historic Preservation Commission. Included are a 1988 analytic study of the Commission prepared for the Department of Housing and Community Development, and a 1990 report from the Office of Legislative Oversight describing and evaluating the HPC, as well as a draft and correspondence relating to the analysis. The folders are arranged alphabetically by title of report.

Series XI: Site Surveys, 1980 (0.4 cu.ft.)

This series contains surveys conducted largely by the Maryland Historical Trust of historic sites in Montgomery County. Information in the surveys included name, condition, date or period, short description, historical significance, location, and physical characteristics of the site.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by name of historic site.

Series XII: Newsletters, 1985-2000 (4 folders)

This series contains copies of the Preservationist, the newsletter of the HRC, from 1985 to 1991 and 2000, as well as a few newsletters of other preservation organizations.

Folders are in alphabetical order.

Series XIII: Clippings, 1985-1987 (1 folder)

This series contains copies of articles from local newspapers relating the activities and concerns of the Commission, and discussing several historic properties in the County.

The articles are arranged in chronological order.

Box 1

Series I: Administration

Case Log, 1989

Certified Local Government Program (CLG), 1984-1991

Easements, 1988

Ethics, 1984-1990

Federal and State Related, 1979-1980

Federal and State Related, 1990-1991

General, 1976-1991 (6 folders)

Information Packet, n.d.

Local Advisory Committees, 1984-1990

Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions, 1987-1988

National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 1985-1989

National Register Guidelines, 1983-1987

Rehabilitation Guidelines, 1983-1988

Rules of Procedure, [1956], 1979-1990, n.d.

Section 24A, 1985

Site Lists, 1990

Series II: Chronological Files

Correspondence, 1980-1991 (5 folders)

Box 2

Cantelon Correspondence, 1985-1990 (2 folders)

Series III: Condemnable Structure Study

Condemnable Structure Study -- 1978-1981

Series IV: Grants and Loans

Community Development Block Grants

John Poole House, 1975-1980

Thomas Poole House, 1979

Historic Preservation Grant Fund

Administration, 1978-1980

Administration, 1986-1989

Banach Case, 1978-1980

Beall-Dawson House

[General], 1979-1981

Reports, 1980

Case Application, 1978-1980

Cira Case, 1978-1980

Friends of Historic Hyattstown, 1977-1981

Guidelines, 1977-1979

Halstead, Roland Case, 1978-1979

Leet, Harry Case, 1978

McAndrews, Terrance Case, 1979-1981

Mead, Elaine Case, 1978-1979

Mote, Daniel Case, 1972-1982

Pipkin, Russell Case, 1965-1982 (2 folders)

Quince Orchard Schoolhouse, 1980

Rauch, Robert Case, 1979-1980

Sugarland Church, 1980

Historic Trust Grant

Brock, Adora, 1976-1979

Maryland Historic Trust Grant

Darnell Farm

General, 1977-1983 (3 folders)

Acquisition, 1976-1979

Architectural/Engineering Contract, 1979-1982 (2 folders)

Box 3

Development Advisory Committee, 1978-1981

Research, 1973-1979

Mount Zion School, 1979-1982

Series V: Historic Area Work Permits

Capitol View Park, 1991

Carrol House, Takoma Park, 1980

Chevy Chase Passenger Station, 1980

Dalmat/Millner House, Takoma Park, 1986-1987

Friends of Historic Hyattstown (Davis House), 1978-1981

General, 1978

Greenwood, 1989

Kensington, 1989-1991

Locust Grove/Magruder House, 1983-1984

Oaks II/Landfill

Architectural/Engineering Contract

1980-1983

Oaks II Architectural History, 1981

General, 1977-1982 (2 folders)

Public Hearing Exhibits, 1980

Others, 1981-1985

(Wm.) Pearre Farm, Comus, 1986-1989

Pratt Property, Capital View, 1982-1984

Retirement, 1991

Somerset, 1991

Stonehaven/Llewellyn Edwards House, 1984-1986

Sycamores, 1991

Trimble Estate Capital View, 1980-1981

Tulip Ave. (No. 102), Takoma Park, 1984

Washington Sanitarium (Wash. Adventist), Takoma Park, 1982

Horace Waters House, Germantown, 1980-1984

Wells Farm House, Cedar Grove, 1984

Woodlawn, 1991

Series VI: Historical Register

Reviews

Bonds Historical District, 1979-1981

Completed

1979

Completed

1980

Series VII: Master Plan

Brookeville 2000, 1990

Candidate Site Case Studies, 1977-1980

Box 4

Falkland Apartments

Clippings and Articles, n.d.

Owner Submissions and Appraisal, 1984

Supporting Material, n.d.

Headquarters Farm, 1980

Kensington Historic District, 1988-1990

Montgomery Arms Apartments, [1984-1987], 1990

Takoma Park District, 1980

Various, 1991

Eliza Waters Farm, 1980

Horace Waters House, 1978-1980

Series VIII: Minutes

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

January-June 1990

July-December 1990

January 1991

Box 5

February 1991

March-December 1991

1992

1993

1994

Series IX: Public Hearings

Avery-Flaherty; Jung-Morris; Dal Bello, Bealsville; Ben Alnutt House; Silver Spring Crossing, 1987

F.P. Murray, 1990

Series X: Reports

Annual, 1980-1989

Description and Evaluation of the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission, 1990

Description and Evaluation of the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission, Draft and Correspondence, 1990

Early 20^th Century Ecclesiastical Resources in Montgomery County: A Contextual Historical Overview, 1990

Education and Special Projects Plan, 1987

History and Recent Development of Montgomery County by Andrea Rebeck (draft), 1987

Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission: An Analytic Study, Final Report, 1988

Monthly, 1990-1991

Series XI: Site Surveys

A-B, c.1980

C, c.1980

D-F, c.1980

G, c.1980

H-I, c.1980

J-K, c.1980

M-N, c.1980

O-P, c.1980

Q-R, c.1980

S-T, c.1980

U-Z, c.1980

Series XII: Newsletters

Correspondence, 1985

Other Organizations, 1985-1987

Preservationist, 1985-1991

Preservationist, 2000

Series XIII: Clippings

1985-1987