FREDERICK, Md. – Historic farmhouses, a former female seminary, and agricultural outbuildings are among the rural properties that will be preserved with support from the Frederick County Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program. In its fifth year, the initiative is one of only a few historic preservation programs that focuses on significant structures in rural areas.
“Protecting the places that make Frederick County unique is an important part of the Livable Frederick Master Plan,” County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. “Preserving these structures is more than safeguarding old buildings – it’s protecting the stories, landscapes, and traditions that define our shared heritage. These sites connect us to our rich history and inspire future generations to appreciate the character and resilience of rural communities.”
The Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program offers one-time grants of up to $50,000 to individual property owners and nonprofit organizations to stabilize, rehabilitate, restore or preserve the exterior of a historic property. To qualify, properties must be located in an unincorporated area of the county, listed on the County Register of Historic Places, be designated as a contributing resource in a local historic district, or be determined eligible for County Register designation.
Grant awardees for 2025 are:
Hamilton W. Shafer Farm – Gapland Road, Jefferson. $45,000 for repairing the rear porch on the house, rebuilding the stone meat house and replacing the roof, repairing the wagon shed, and adding lighting. The property is significant for its association with the Battle of South Mountain and use by General William Franklin for Union headquarters. The property is listed on the County Register.Needwood Farmhouse – Lee’s Lane, Knoxville. $50,000 to replace the roof flashing around the dormers, repair metal roofing, remove the inappropriate roofing and repair/replace the slate roofing underneath. The property is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture. The property is listed on the County Register.Judge William Stoner House – Apples Church Road, Thurmont. $46,590 to repair the brick chimneys and replace the roof over the house. The property is a good example of a vernacular mid-19th century farmhouse with Greek Revival elements. The property is listed on the County Register.Liberty Female Seminary – Main Street, Libertytown. $36,237 to repoint the north elevation. The property was originally constructed as a place to educate and board young women and may be the earliest female seminary in Frederick County. The property is listed on the County Register.Oliver P. Harding Farm – Green Valley Road, New Market. $22,173 to restore the historic wood windows on the house. The property is the newest addition to the Peace and Plenty Rural Historic District. The property is listed on the County Register.William Downey House – Detrick Road, New Market. $50,000 to complete the repointing on the east and west elevations of the house. The property is located in the Peace and Plenty Rural Historic District and is listed on the County Register.
Funding for the Frederick County Rural Historic Preservation Grants comes from the collection of recordation fees charged on certain real estate transactions. For additional information about the grant program, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/RuralGrants. Questions about the program can be directed to Amanda Whitmore, Historic Preservation Planner, at AWhitmore@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
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Contact: Amanda WhitmoreHistoric Preservation PlannerDivision of Planning & Permitting301-600-1147