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Historic Preservation District
The City of Cambridge is one of the oldest towns in Maryland dating back to 1684. In 1986, a group of citizens organized an effort to recognize and preserve Cambridge's rich architectural heritage. Their work resulted in the listing of the Cambridge Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. This listing enables property owners to take advantage of federal and state tax benefits for approved renovations and restorations.
Several years later, the Cambridge community worked with the Mayor and Council to create the locally-designated Cambridge Historic District and to establish the Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). This local designation enables the HPC to manage requested changes to buildings within the historic district.
Several years later, the Cambridge community worked with the Mayor and Council to create the locally-designated Cambridge Historic District and to establish the Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). This local designation enables the HPC to manage requested changes to buildings within the historic district.
The Historic District encompasses a large portion of downtown Cambridge then extends in a northwest direction along the waterfront to include portions of Wards 1, 3 and 4. It covers over forty city blocks and was the home of many prominent business owners and tradesmen. A variety of architectural styles can be found in the District as most of the buildings date from the second half of the nineteenth century and the first three decades of the twentieth century.
Meetings
- Third Wednesday
- City Council Chambers
305 Gay Street - Open to the public.
- Times and dates subject to change.
Historic Preservation Commission
Adopted Guidelines
HPC Awards 2017
National Register of Historic Places-Nomination Report: Pine Street Historic District (PDF)
Update: The Nominations are in!
Residential Preservation Project
Bayly House, Catherine Morrison
Compatible Renovation Project (Not in a Historic District)
106 Franklin Street, Gaver Nichols
Preservation Service
The Dorchester County Historical Society
Ceremony
We hope you'll join us at our second-annual awards ceremony and help us celebrate the accomplishments of this years nominees! The ceremony will be held on May 18, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., at Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street. Light refreshments will be served.
More Information
For more information contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 410-228-1955 or by email.
Are There Any Resources to Help Fix Up My Historic Property?
The Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) has several financial assistance programs that can assist private property owners.The Maryland Sustainable Communities Tax Credit provides a 20% credit off your Maryland State Income tax in the year in which you file for the credit. If your property is income-producing, you may also be eligible for the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
Property owners may also apply for Historic Preservation Loans.
MHT does not award grants to private individuals.
Nonprofit organizations, including churches and educational institutions are eligible to apply for Capital and Non-Capital grants from the Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
For more information on the Maryland Historic Trust Tax Credit and assistance programs, please visit their website.
Historic Preservation Tax Credits (Early Coordination Needed)
Work approved by the Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission is not a substitute for Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) or National Park Service approval of work for which historic preservation tax credits will be used. The Commission may allow work that the state and federal agencies deny, or vice-versa. The tax credits cannot be used for work already completed. For information on the tax credits, please visit the Maryland Historical Trust website or contact the Trust at 410-514-7628. MHT recommends that property owners who intend to use the Rehabilitation Tax Credit submit their applications for Tax Credits to MHT prior to undertaking HPC review.For more information on how the federal tax credit process works, please visit the Connected Community website.
Preservation Briefs
The National Park Service publishes the Preservation Briefs to provide technical information on various rehabilitation topics including the use of Tax Credits. The briefs are available on the National Park Service website or visit one of these topics:- Assessing Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments for Historic Masonry Buildings
- Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings
- Improving Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings
- Roofing for Historic Buildings
- Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings
- Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings
- The Preservation of Historic Glazed Architectural Terra-Cotta
- Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings
- The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows
- Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork
- Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts
- The Preservation of Historic Pigmented Structural Glass (Vitrolite and Carrara Glass)
- The Repair and Thermal Upgrading of Historic Steel Windows
- New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings: Preservation Concerns
- Preservation of Historic Concrete
- The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors
- Architectural Character—Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving their Character
- Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings: Identifying and Preserving Character-Defining Elements
- The Repair and Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs
- The Preservation of Historic Barns
- Repairing Historic Flat Plaster Walls and Ceilings
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco
- Preserving Historic Ornamental Plaster
- Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings - Problems and Recommended Approaches
- The Preservation of Historic Signs
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings
- The Maintenance and Repair of Architectural Cast Iron
- Painting Historic Interiors
- The Repair, Replacement and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs
- Mothballing Historic Buildings
- Making Historic Properties Accessible
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass
- Applied Decoration for Historic Interiors Preserving Composition Ornament
- Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation
- Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes
- Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing
- Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry
- Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings
- Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors
- The Seismic Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings
- The Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Historic Cast Stone
- The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports
- The Use of Awnings on Historic Buildings, Repair, Replacement and New Design
- Preserving Historic Wood Porches
- The Preservation and Reuse of Historic Gas Stations
- Maintaining the Exterior of Small and Medium Size Historic Buildings
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Historic Preservation District
Physical Address
1025 Washington Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: 410-228-1955