Preservation advocacy group seeks public input to preserve historic sites
By Ike Wilson News-Post Staff | Posted: Saturday, January 11, 2014 2:00 am
Plans for potential development near Monocacy National Battlefield at 4632 Araby Church Road put the historic icon on Preservation Maryland's list of 10 most endangered sites in 2013.
Monocacy National Battlefield Superintendent Rick Slade said including the park on the endangered Maryland list recognizes the strong likelihood that the Frederick area will continue to grow and develop in ways that could compromise battlefield resources, including the integrity of the historic landscape and scenic resources that make the park such a special place.
Specifically, Slade said the battlefield was put on the list because a location near the site was identified as a potential place to construct an incinerator.
“The incinerator would loom over the field and visually impact the battlefield,” Slade said. “To me, that would be the most direct impact the incinerator would have. Then there’s the potential for noise, air quality pollution and debris due to burning at the incinerator. You wouldn’t want that with people walking in the park.”
Preservation Maryland, a statewide historic preservation advocacy organization, produces Endangered Maryland, an annual list of the most threatened historic buildings, landscapes and sites in the state.
Fox’s Tavern, near Fox’s Gap west of Middletown, where the Battle of South Mountain waged, is also on Preservation Maryland’s list.
The purpose of this list is to increase knowledge of the threats facing important historic resources in communities around the state, Margaret De Arcangelis, Preservation Maryland’s education and outreach director, wrote in a recent letter to The Frederick News-Post.
In addition to publicizing these endangered sites, Preservation Maryland creates dialogue, finds solutions and seeks public input to preserve these threatened locations, De Arcangelis said.
Slade said Preservation Maryland is updating its list of endangered sites for 2014 and looking for more sites to include. Preservation Maryland is accepting nominations through Jan. 29 for the 2014 Endangered Maryland list.
“Preservation Maryland needs your help to identify other endangered sites in the area,” De Arcangelis said. “Please tell us about threatened sites important to the county which could benefit from increased interest from the general public.
“Of the 74 Endangered Maryland sites throughout the state, only two have been lost, evidence that being designated as endangered can help save our heritage.”
The National Park Service recently awarded $950,000 in grants to protect seven Civil War battlefields around the country, $166,600 of which went to Maryland Department of Natural Resources for South Mountain Battlefield.
“These grants will help preserve the sacred places where America’s highest ideals are enshrined so that this and future generations can better understand the struggles that define us as a nation,” National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a statement.
Follow Ike Wilson on Twitter: @ikewilson99.
By Ike Wilson News-Post Staff | Posted: Saturday, January 11, 2014 2:00 am
Plans for potential development near Monocacy National Battlefield at 4632 Araby Church Road put the historic icon on Preservation Maryland's list of 10 most endangered sites in 2013.
Monocacy National Battlefield Superintendent Rick Slade said including the park on the endangered Maryland list recognizes the strong likelihood that the Frederick area will continue to grow and develop in ways that could compromise battlefield resources, including the integrity of the historic landscape and scenic resources that make the park such a special place.
Specifically, Slade said the battlefield was put on the list because a location near the site was identified as a potential place to construct an incinerator.
“The incinerator would loom over the field and visually impact the battlefield,” Slade said. “To me, that would be the most direct impact the incinerator would have. Then there’s the potential for noise, air quality pollution and debris due to burning at the incinerator. You wouldn’t want that with people walking in the park.”
Preservation Maryland, a statewide historic preservation advocacy organization, produces Endangered Maryland, an annual list of the most threatened historic buildings, landscapes and sites in the state.
Fox’s Tavern, near Fox’s Gap west of Middletown, where the Battle of South Mountain waged, is also on Preservation Maryland’s list.
The purpose of this list is to increase knowledge of the threats facing important historic resources in communities around the state, Margaret De Arcangelis, Preservation Maryland’s education and outreach director, wrote in a recent letter to The Frederick News-Post.
In addition to publicizing these endangered sites, Preservation Maryland creates dialogue, finds solutions and seeks public input to preserve these threatened locations, De Arcangelis said.
Slade said Preservation Maryland is updating its list of endangered sites for 2014 and looking for more sites to include. Preservation Maryland is accepting nominations through Jan. 29 for the 2014 Endangered Maryland list.
“Preservation Maryland needs your help to identify other endangered sites in the area,” De Arcangelis said. “Please tell us about threatened sites important to the county which could benefit from increased interest from the general public.
“Of the 74 Endangered Maryland sites throughout the state, only two have been lost, evidence that being designated as endangered can help save our heritage.”
The National Park Service recently awarded $950,000 in grants to protect seven Civil War battlefields around the country, $166,600 of which went to Maryland Department of Natural Resources for South Mountain Battlefield.
“These grants will help preserve the sacred places where America’s highest ideals are enshrined so that this and future generations can better understand the struggles that define us as a nation,” National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a statement.
Follow Ike Wilson on Twitter: @ikewilson99.
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