The Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions was born 25 years ago because two historic district commissioners went looking for help. They found commitment - but no communication, and realized the value of commissions coming together in their common cause. In 1979, 25 years after its establishment, the Frederick City Historic District Commission was struggling with how to address several major preservation issues plaguing the city's historic building stock-demolition by neglect, inappropriate additions, and major alterations. Chair Bernie Callan and Commission Consultant from the County Office of Historic Preservation, Cherilyn Widell, decided for the first time to look beyond the city for some advice. First, they approached Frederick County's other two existing historic district commissions: New Market Historic District Commission and Burkettsville Historic District Commission. Not surprisingly, all these commissions had preservation problems similar to Frederick , but the commissions themselves were inconsistent in their approaches to addressing the issues.
Callan and Widell broadened their search for other historic district commissions statewide, and discovered that virtually none of the identified commissions in Maryland communicated with each other. And, while most commissions had similar ordinances, none of them followed the same procedures [There were no "standard" procedures until MAHDC established them.] , nor had established meeting protocols. With the support of the Maryland Historical Trust, the soon-to-be Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions founders approached the state's other commissions with the idea of holding a gathering of commissions to exchange ideas and to discuss common needs, issues and problems. This first meeting was held in late 1979 and included representatives from 20 commissions from across Maryland from Salisbury to Cumberland to Port Deposit.
Until this meeting, many of the commissions had no idea that other such commissions even existed. And yet, the actions of each of these commissions, most of them organized under State Code 66-B, had statewide implications on the other commissions. Any local historic district case could establish legal precedence for another locality. Many commissioners recognized the seriousness of the legal ramifications, and understood the need to educate the various commissions. The Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions (MAHDC) was thus born. Attorney Jim Boss, then chairman of the Laurel Historic District Commission, drafted the legal language and charter establishing the statewide MAHDC organization. Since its inception, the basic philosophy of MAHDC has remained unchanged: By working together, Maryland 's Historic District Commissions can help one another become more effective protectors of the historic resources in each of their own communities.
MAHDC's first officers were Bernie Callan, President; Jim Boss, Vice President; and Blanch Parcell, Treasurer. Cherilyn Widell served as the organization's first executive director. Membership dues started at $1.00 to cover the cost of establishing and maintaining a mailing list for the organization's newsletter. Since its inception, MAHDC has had four Executive Directors: Cherilyn Widell, Diane Wiebe, Bobbi Hahn, and since 1995, Lisa Jensen Wingate. Primarily a volunteer organization, much of MAHDC's efforts are implemented by its Board of Directors, which strives to have representatives from each part of the state.
Within the first year of the organization's existence, and with support from the Maryland Historical Trust, MAHDC published its Maryland Historic Preservation Commission Handbook , a written primer outlining basic commission information. Over the years, many appendices and attachments were added, as new topics of interest to Commissions arose. This first Handbook , published in 1980 was the precursor of the present and more comprehensive Handbook , published in 1998. A copy of the 1998 Handbook is distributed to every MAHDC member Commission, and with help from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is promoted and shipped nationwide.
Once established, MAHDC became a model for other states-an important role during a time of little public support for preservation. Outside of Maryland , interest in the organization grew, compelling Cherilyn Widell to travel extensively across the country to consult with other states interested in establishing similar organizations. MAHDC Board members were sought out to give presentations at preservation conferences, such as the annual NCSHPO conference. In 1983, using grant funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, MAHDC produced Built by Design , a video addressing the design review process and why historic district commissions are important. Board members visited other commissions and, as part of the Regional Meetings Initiative, worked to get local commissions networking. MAHDC publishes a quarterly newsletter offering relevant information, distributed to each Commission member and staff. Through these programs, MAHDC allowed commissioners to become more confident in their role as historic district commissioners, as well as legally grounded in their decisions.
In addition to the Handbook and Built by Design , MAHDC has partnered with MHT to provide a full range of other materials to assist local commissions, including the Renovator's Roundtable workshop series on important technical renovation issues; a Tax Credit Manual with detailed information on local, state and federal tax credit programs ; and the Economic Benefits Manual that includes a report entitled The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Local Historic Districts in Maryland . In addition to these educational tools, MAHDC helped to establish the CLG education set-aside. Each year since it was established in 1997, this program awards MAHDC a master grant, which is then re-allocated to local historic district commissions for training. The CLG set-aside often provides necessary support for commissions and staff to attend the annual Maryland Preservation and Revitalization Conference.
As MAHDC enters its 25 th year, it has begun to expand its efforts. MAHDC recognizes that the future of successful historic districts and commissions depends on the support of those who reside in historic areas. With that in mind it has renamed its newsletter Maryland's Historic Districts and broadened its scope. Its popular Renovator's Roundtables have been converted to video, and now will be available in an easily-used format, hopefully expanding the audience.
Today, there are 45 Historic District Commissions in Maryland , including 14 Certified Local Governments, representing both urban and rural historic districts. Although Historic District Commissions have become an accepted form of local government, in response to commissioner turnover and challenges to the status quo, Commissions are still in need of training and support - and their constituents need to understand the value their historic districts bring to the community. So, now 25 years after its founding, and as long as there are Commissions, MAHDC's mission remains much the same, and as vital as ever.
