Benefits of Historic Preservation and Tax Credits

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The National Trust for Historic Preservation defines “Historic Preservation” as identifying, protecting, and enhancing buildings, places, and objects of historic and cultural significance.  As one of the oldest counties in Maryland and the nation, Anne Arundel County has a rich history that is locally and nationally important. Preserving relics of the diverse archaeological and architectural past reinforces the County’s identity and benefits its communities and residents. Preservation deepens the understanding of physical, cultural, and ecological heritage, drawing people to explore and learn about the past. Rehabilitation of historic structures fosters economic development by creating jobs for local labor and by enhancing the tax base with improved properties. Investing in historic neighborhoods and managing the kind of development that occurs within them reinforces the authentic places that locals and visitors seek, leveraging “sense of place” as an economic asset to promote a high quality of life. Preserving and repurposing old buildings is environmentally sensitive because it reduces demolition waste sent to landfills, maximizes the use of existing infrastructure serving established neighborhoods, and thus conserves undeveloped land. Rehabilitated properties improve property values in the surrounding area and spur other private sector investments. Moreover, historic buildings and objects are tangible resources of our collective heritage that connect us to a specific place in time, persons, or events that can teach us about our history and culture and that as present society we should strive to preserve for future generations.    

Friendship Parsonage: Friendship, MD

In order to foster responsible stewardship of historic buildings in Anne Arundel County, the first ever Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program was codified in 2016.  Historic preservation tax credits are a proven and effective incentive across the state and the nation in promoting the stewardship and preservation of significant historic resources. Tax credits are an effective tool to encourage private owners to sensitively restore and rehabilitate historically significant buildings.  These credits stimulate sustainability and adaptive reuse of existing building stock and can help offset expenses related to rehabilitation on historic landmarks in the county. Through this program, a 25% property tax credit is eligible for both eligible residential and commercial historic properties and 5% for compatible new infill construction within historic districts.  Expenditures for certain interior or exterior preservation, restoration and rehabilitation work on landmark properties may qualify for the tax credit, as long as the work meets preservation standards that ensure the historic nature of the property is not compromised. 

Talbot’s Lot II: Davidsonville Historic District

Since 2016, the County has awarded credits for both small- and large-scale projects to commercial rehabilitation projects and residential historic property owners.  Some past projects include the re-siding of a historic parsonage building built in 1806, now an antiques store in Friendship; the roof replacement of a late 19th -century contributing historic building within the Davidsonville Historic District (listed in the National Register); and the full rehabilitation of a large Italianate style-farmhouse built c. 1860 in Jessup.  The house was rehabilitated into use as a community clubhouse and rental office for the Elms at Shannon’s Glen apartment complex.  Rehabilitation work that qualified for the tax credit included foundation repairs, the restoration of original windows, doors, and flooring; in-kind roof replacement, and electrical and plumbing updates to meet current building codes.

Trusty Friend: Jessup, MD

For more details on the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, including application forms, qualifying properties, and qualifying types of work, please visit the Office of Planning & Zoning’s, Cultural Resources Section’s website at https://www.aacounty.org/historic-tax-credit.

Contributed by Darian Beverungen, Historic Sites Planner, Anne Arundel County Cultural Resources Section.  

Anne Arundel County Celebrates Historic Preservation Month 2022

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ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 9, 2022) –  Join history enthusiasts nationwide this May in celebrating National Preservation Month. The observance, first established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as “Preservation Week,” expanded to the entire month of May in 2005 to provide Americans more opportunities to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states. Historic preservation is not only an effective tool in smart growth and sustainability practices, it enhances quality of life, increases local pride and community involvement, and is a significant economic driver.

The Office of Planning & Zoning is joining in on the celebration by inviting citizens to participate in our Preservation Stewardship Program, sponsored by the Cultural Resources Section. The CRS team will offer several events and educational programs throughout the month, so citizens can explore, experience, and participate in preserving the historic places that matter across the county.

  • Historic Sites Planner, Darian Beverungen, will lead an architectural tour of Historic Linthicum Walks on Monday, May 9th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
  • Archaeological Sites Planner, Anastasia Poulos, will participate in a panel on the discovery and documentation of historic burial grounds. as part of a virtual symposium on May 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. aimed at preserving African American historical and cultural legacies, and sponsored by the Remembrance and Reconciliation Commission of Montgomery County.
  • On May 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we welcome volunteers to join in on a guided hike at Bacon Ridge to monitor trail conditions for potential archaeological impacts. Walk with us and learn how Anne Arundel County is working to preserve and protect archaeological sites.
  • Archaeologist Drew Webster, will lead an archaeology hike at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary on Saturday, May 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Explore the landscape where indigenous peoples have lived for 13,000 years, and view ancient artifacts that have helped improve our knowledge about the County’s prehistoric past.
  • In honor of Preservation Month and to support the County’s mission to protect significant historic sites, the Cultural Resources Section invites you to help us by completing an online Cemetery Preservation Survey where you can share your knowledge and observations regarding the conditions and potential risks to endangered historic cemeteries in your communities.   

Reservations are required for most events. To sign up for one or more events or to learn more about the County’s Preservation Stewardship Program, visit. www.aacounty.org/Preservation-Stewardship

Executive Proclamation

Volunteers Welcome: Archaeology Field Session at Whitehall Plantation, Annapolis

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In partnership with the Brandywine Foundation, the State of Maryland, and the Lost Towns Project, the Anne Arundel County Cultural Resources Section will be excavating an area that could yield new information about those who worked and lived on Whitehall Plantation in the late 18th and 19th century and whose stories have yet to be told.

The narrative and existing documentation has yet to adequately address the full history of the site, and archaeology promises to tell us about both the freedman and enslaved workers who lived and worked here. This work is the first foray into telling a broader, more inclusive story about the Whitehall Plantation.

A limited number of volunteers are welcome to assist. Volunteers must register here in advance. Volunteers new to fieldwork should attend the volunteer orientation on April 12th or email Drew Webster at [email protected] for more information. Volunteers should also review the field manual. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Whitehall