Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission

the Preservationist
Fall 2005
Celebrate Rural Montgomery
On the 25th Anniversary of the
Agricultural Reserve
Anyone who has savored the view of the
Montgomery countryside from the summit of
Sugarloaf Mountain in Frederick County, or
tasted a fresh peach from a Barnesville orchard,
owes thanks to the forward-looking 1980 County
Council and the Planning Board chaired by
Royce Hanson. Dr. Hanson remains a staunch
defender of the County’s rural character today,
calling Montgomery County’s Agricultural
Reserve “one of the most beautiful landscapes
in the East.” He currently serves as chair of the
Maryland Environmental Trust board of trustees.
MET establishes conservation easements for rural
land-owners wishing to place stringent protec-
tions on their properties.
Throughout 2005, Celebrate Rural Montgom-
ery, a nonprofit consortium of 67 civic groups,
farms and government agencies, has called atten-
tion to the 25th anniversary of the Ag Reserve
(as it’s often called) with events throughout the
County. On October 8th, a Fall Festival, free to
An 18x24 illustrated map of the by Melanie Choukas-Bradley the public, will be held at Butler’s Orchard in Ger-
Agricultural Reserve, suitable 2005 marks the 25th Anniversary of Montgom- mantown from 4 to 7 PM with live music, hayrides,
for framing, can be purchased ery County’s Agricultural Reserve, a rural cres- a bonfire and marshmallow roast. Dr. Hanson and
from Historic Medley District, cent of 93,000 acres crowning the northwestern other founders and preservers of the Ag Reserve
Inc., Montgomery County third of the county. This charming Piedmont will be honored during the festivities. On No-
Historical Society, Sandy landscape is bordered by the Potomac and vember 5th, I will lead a tour of the Ag Reserve
Spring Museum, Gaithersburg Patuxent Rivers and surrounds several historic for the Montgomery County Historical Society in
Community Museum, and communities, including Brookeville, Comus, and my capacity as programs and education director
Peerless Rockville. Poolesville. In 1980, Montgomery County adopt- for Celebrate Rural Montgomery. Barnesville
ed a functional master plan designed to preserve artist Tina Thieme Brown has created a beautiful
In This Issue: the historic rural character of the northwestern illustrated map of the Agricultural Reserve.
portion of the County. Titled Preservation of Ag-
Although Montgomery County is best known
• Emancipation Day riculture & Rural Open Space, the plan outlined
for its suburbs, the county’s 577 farms (the major-
celebration. an innovative farmland preservation program
ity of them family-run and many of them multi-
Page 2 introducing zoning of one house per 25 acres,
generational) and 350 horticultural enterprises
and a system of transferable development rights
contribute $252 million to the annual economy.
• Owners restore (TDRs). Following the adoption of this master
“Montgomery is the number one pumpkin grower
White-Carlin house plan, Montgomery County began to stanch its
in Maryland and the number two berry-grower,”
and barn. farmland losses while becoming a national leader
in rural preservation. See “Ag Reserve,” page 3
Page 3
 Historic Preservation speakers, and refreshments. For information call
News and Notes 301-563-3400.
Barns of Celebration of Emancipation of
Montgomery Slaves in Maryland, November 5
County The Emancipation of Slaves in Maryland will
Note Cards and be celebrated on Saturday, November 5 with a
Poster Available variety of activities at three different sites. From
The Heritage Tourism 9 to 10:30 AM there will be an Underground
Alliance of Montgomery Railroad hike on the 1½ mile Rural Legacy Trail
has produced a poster from Woodlawn Manor to Sandy Spring. A
and note cards in honor shuttle bus will carry people back to Woodlawn.
of the 25th anniversary The Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African
of the Agricultural Art Gallery at 18524 Brooke Road in Sandy
Reserve. The beautiful Spring will be open from 11 AM to 2 PM with
photographs of our lunch by Ribs-on-the-Run and entertainment.
county’s historic barns Oakley Cabin, 3610 Brookeville Road in
make lovely note cards Brookeville, will be open from 12 noon to 4
White-Carlin Barn in Boyds for any occasion. They can be purchased at the PM with tours of the Cabin, reenactors and
is featured in the Barns John Poole Museum and Store or The Surrey in refreshments. A program will be presented at
of Montgomery County Poolesville, the Montgomery County Historical 2 PM at Oakley Cabin. Parking is at Longwood
notecards. Society in Rockville, the Sandy Spring Museum, Recreation Center at 19300 Georgia Avenue
the Gaithersburg Community Museum, and between Olney and Brookeville and a shuttle bus
Peerless Rockville. Posters (24 x 36) are $15.00. will carry people to the Cabin. For information
A boxed set of note cards of 12 Barns is $15.00. call 301-563-3400.
Individual cards are $1.50 each. For more
information see www.HeritageMongomery.org or County’s Founding Celebrated
call 301-515-0753. Eighteen County historical organizations
participated in the celebration of the 229th
Davis Mill Historic Marker Birthday of Montgomery County September 11
Ceremony October 15 at the Beall-Dawson House in Rockville. Four
The Davis Mill historic marker will be unveiled of these presented exhibits on projects that
at 3 pm on October 15 at the site of the mill, the they had achieved with the help of Historic
intersection of Davis Mill Road and Huntmaster Preservation Grants. In addition, two of the
Road in Goshen. Built in 1783, the mill operated videos shown during the day in the video tent
until the early 20th century. Its ruins are still were the products of HPC grants. In the HPC
visible. There will be a Girl Scout color guard, tent Commissioners Julia O’Malley, Nuray
Anahtar, coordinator Gwen Wright, and

Preservationist
archeologist Heather Bouslog presented the
the work being done by the staff and commissioners
to help preserve our county’s history.
The Preservationist is the official publication of the Montgomery County Historic
Preservation Commission, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: HPC Participates in Magical
301-563-3400. Statements herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Montgomery
Commission. Created by the Historic Resources Preservation Ordinance (Chapter The Historic Preservation Commission joined
24A, Montgomery County Code) the Commission is responsible for identification, with many other cultural and arts organizations
designation, and regulation for purposes of protection, preservation, continued use, October 1 for a grand street fair in Silver Spring.
and enhancement of sites and structures of historical, archeological, architectural, Commissioners David Rotenstein, Timothy
or cultural value. Commission members are appointed by the Montgomery County
Executive and confirmed by the Montgomery County Council.
Duffy, coordinator Gwen Wright and planner
Tania Tully greeted visitors to the HPC booth
Commission and shared information about tax credits,
Julia O’Malley, Chair Jef Fuller, AIA, Vice Chair historic rehabilitation, and the importance of
Steven Breslin, AIA Lynne B. Watkins Kimberly Prothro Williams preserving our past.
Nuray Anahtar, AIA Lee Burstyn Caroline Alderson David S. Rotenstein
Historic Preservation Coordinator Gwen Wright
Requests to be on the mailing list and content information
should be directed to the Commission.

2
Historic Renewal in Boyds
With their purchase of the White-Carlin Farm
in 2003, Chuck and Carol Bergmann entered the
world of preservation and restoration feet first.
The two-story Federal stone house had been
abandoned for 15 years and the 140-by-45-foot
seven-bay bank barn was in great need of repair
despite stabilization efforts in 1996.
Located on 25 acres in rural Boyds, the
White-Carlin Farm, with its collection of farm
buildings, represents the eras of tobacco, wheat
and dairy farming in Montgomery County. The
c.1793 residence along with the kitchen house,
spring house, smoke house, bank barn, and dairy
house (now gone) were designated to the Master
Plan for Historic Preservation in 1979.
Working with an architect, the Bergmanns
presented a preliminary proposal to the Historic
Preservation Commission as contract purchasers
of the property. An inappropriate 1950s addition
containing all the plumbing and mechanicals
had been previously removed, so the Bergmanns To help finance the extensive work, the Restored two-story Federal
proposed a compatible rear addition to make Bergmanns utilized both the State of Maryland stone house at White-Carlin
the historic house habitable. Once work on the Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program and farm in Boyds.
house was well underway, rehabilitation of the the Montgomery County Historic Preservation
bank barn began. Tax Credit. The State program allowed the
Bergmanns to claim 20% of the eligible interior
Rehabilitation work on the house was
and exterior costs as a credit to their income
extensive and included replacing non-historic
taxes and the County’s program allowed 10% of
window sashes with custom-made true-divided
eligible exterior costs to be credited towards their
light 18th century reproduction wood sashes;
property tax, making for a 30% reimbursement
repairing window frames and trim; replacing
on the cost of the exterior work!
the roof; repairing and repointing the chimney;
repairing and where necessary replacing fascia, Additional information and technical advice
soffit, and rake boards; and repointing the stone on preservation issues can be obtained by
walls including removing inappropriate Portland visiting our website at: www.mc-mncppc.org/
cement. historic, or by calling the Montgomery County
Historic Preservation section at 301-563-3400.
The barn entailed repairing and replicating
Information on the State tax credit is available
the cupolas; repairing and replacing damaged
on the Maryland Historical Trust website at www.
and missing wood siding; repairing, reglazing and
marylandhistoricaltrust.net or by calling the
where missing, replacing windows; and repairing
Office of Preservation Services at 410-514-7639.
stone foundation walls.

Ag Reserve, from page 1 sites. Many 18th and 19th century homes, barns,
according to Agricultural Services division and other structures are protected within the
manager Jeremy Criss. The Ag Reserve provides Agricultural Reserve along with places associ-
countless benefits for all who live in the Wash- ated with the War of 1812, the Civil War and
ington area, including clean air, clean water, the Underground Railroad. For more information
stunning rural scenery, recreational opportunities about the Agricultural Reserve and the 25th an-
such as horseback riding, hiking, cycling, and ca- niversary celebration: www.ruralmontgomery.org.
noeing, and fresh fruits and vegetables available Melanie Choukas-Bradley is author of Sugarloaf: The
at pick-your-own orchards, farm stands and farm- Mountain’s History, Geology and Natural Lore and other
ers markets. One of the most important benefits regional natural history books. She is a freelance contributor to
of the Ag Reserve is the protection of historic the Washington Post.

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Calendar October
Through March 28 Exhibit: The C & O Canal, 16 HPC Meeting, 7:30 pm., MRO Auditorium,
Beall-Dawson House, Rockville. Tuesdays through 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Call 301-563-
Sundays, 12:30-4:30 PM. Call 301-762-1492. www. 3400. www.mc-mncppc.org
montgomeryhistory.org December
12 & 26 HPC Meeting, 7:30 PM, MRO 6 to 31 The 1815 Beall-Dawson House in
Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Call Rockville will be decorated for the holiday season
301-563-3400. www.mc-mncppc.org in the styles and traditions popular in the early
28 & 29 In Search of Ghosts at the Beall-Dawson 1900s. Tours end with hot spiced cider and
House in Rockville and the Waters House in homemade cookies. Tuesday to Sunday from 12-4
PM with the last tour of the day at 3:15 PM. Free to
Germantown. Tours at 7, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45. $12. Call
301-762-1492. www.montgomeryhistory.org members, $3 non-members. Call 301-762-1492.
www.montgomeryhistory.org
November 4 7th Annual Waters House Tree Lighting from
2 through December 20 Exhibit: The Sporting Life
4:30 to 6 PM. at the historic Waters House, Royal
at the Waters House in Germantown Wednesdays
Crown Drive and Milestone Manor Drive in
2 PM-9 PM, Saturdays 10am-4pm. Call 301-762-
Germantown. Santa on a horse-drawn wagon, hot
1492. www.montgomeryhistory.org
cider, cookies, carol singing. Call 301-762-1492 for
5 Maryland Emancipation Day Celebration information. montgomeryhistory.org
at Oakley Cabin. Call 301-563-3400. www.
7 & 21 HPC Meeting, 7:30 pm., MRO
montgomeryparksfnd.org
Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
5 Bus Tour of the Agricultural Reserve. $50. Call 301-563-3400. www.mc-mncppc.org
Call 301-762-1492 for information. www.
10 & 11 Christmas on the Farm: Hayrides and
montgomeryhistory.org
Candlelight Tours of the Bussard Farmhouse at the
6 Inaugural Walking Tour of Underground Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster
Railroad Sites in Rockville. $15. Peerless Rockville Road, Derwood; noon to 8 PM. Call 301-670-4661.
301-762-0096. peerlessrockville.org montgomeryparksfnd.org/fg

Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission

Support Acknowledged: This publication has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, made available
through the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of the Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Maryland. However, the contents and opinions
do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of these agencies. Nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommenda-
tion by these agencies.
Non-discrimination: The Montgomery County historic preservation program receives Federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S. Department
of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any
person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operation by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Director
of Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC., 20013-37127.