Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program

The Frederick County Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program, administered by the Frederick County Government in Maryland, aims to preserve historic properties within the county's unincorporated areas. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting community identity by protecting historically significant structures. The program specifically targets the rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation of exterior features of these properties, ensuring their longevity and continued contribution to the county's historical landscape. The primary beneficiaries of this program include individual property owners, agricultural businesses, and non-profit organizations that own historic properties in unincorporated Frederick County. The impact goals are centered on preventing the deterioration of these valuable assets, thereby maintaining the aesthetic and historical integrity of rural Frederick County. By providing financial assistance, the program seeks to make preservation efforts more accessible and sustainable for eligible property owners and organizations. The program prioritizes projects focused on stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation of exterior elements that contribute to a building's eligibility for designation on the County Register. While routine maintenance like painting is generally not highly scored, the emphasis is on projects that actively preserve the defining features of historic properties. Eligible properties must be designated on the County Register of Historic Places, be a contributing resource in a County designated Historic District, be determined eligible for County Register designation by the Historic Preservation Commission, or be located in a local Conservation District. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of historic properties successfully stabilized, restored, or preserved within Frederick County's rural areas. This will lead to the sustained preservation of the county's architectural heritage, enhanced community pride, and potential economic benefits through heritage tourism. The program operates with a theory of change that posits direct financial support for preservation activities will empower property owners and organizations to undertake critical work that might otherwise be financially prohibitive, ultimately leading to a more robust and protected collection of historic sites.