Historic Preservation—
Our Past, Our Present,
Our Future.

The History of the Baltimore County Historical Trust

The Baltimore County Historical Trust (BCHT) is dedicated to preserving Baltimore County’s unique heritage of buildings, sites, towns, and neighborhoods.

A non-profit organization founded in 1979, BCHT has a paid professional director but otherwise runs entirely by volunteers. The Board of Directors includes representatives from each of Baltimore County’s Councilmanic Districts.

In Baltimore county, historic preservation is:

• Economic development
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Stewardship of irreplaceable architecture and landscapes
• A way to encourage new development that's more appealing

What We Do

We work with individuals, communities, and governments to research and document the historic significance of buildings, sites ans neighborhoods.

We advise local governmental agencies on individual preservation projects and the county’s master plan.

We plan intervention and rescue strategies when historic buildings are threatened.

We provide annual grants for research, preservation, planning and restoration projects.

We conduct public workshops on preservation and restoration.

We assist property owners and community groups in preparing and submitting nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and the Baltimore County Landmarks List.

We provide technical assistance to property owners for the restoration and renovation of historic properties.

We promote historic preservation tax credits for repairs to historic structures and to buildings that contribute to historic districts.

We serve as a clearinghouse for information on historic preservation.

We communicate with other preservation organizations and community groups to keep up-to-date on preservation practices, policies and concerns.

What's Historic

Among the buildings, sites, and structures that make Baltimore County unique are:

• Houses and older neighborhoods.
• Agricultural structures and landscapes.
• Public and community buildings.
• Transportation structures (such as railroad stations and tracks, bridges, lighthouses, and senic roads).
• Parks, monuments and cemeteries.
• Archaeological sites.

Why We Need You

Despite the best efforts of BCHT, there is a constant threat to our legacy of historic structures. some stand in the way of development. Others are demolished by neglect because the owners lack either the resources or the resolve to maintain them. While the razing of Samuel Owings House, (below right) doesn't make for a pretty picture, it's important to remember how fragile our links with the past can be. The BCHT relies on your support to continue our work.

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Click here to make a donation and help support the BCHT. Every dollar makes a difference!

Join Us

If you would like to help preserve the historic buildings, neighborhoods and landscapes of Baltimore County and promote new development that respects our past, please join us at the Baltimore County Historical Trust.