Chapter 10 Historic / Cultural Preservation

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1 Chapter 10 Historic / Cultural Preservation Actions since adoption of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan Goals & objectives Historic & cultural resource recognition and protection National Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places Maryland historic preservation easements Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Local historic preservation ordinance Implementation strategies Figures Figure 10-1 Historic Sites

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3 Chapter 10 Historic / Cultural Preservation Chartered over 340 years ago, in 1658, Charles County s heritage spans four centuries and encompasses a rich mixture of cultures and traditions. From the region s first Native American inhabitants at least 12,000 years ago, to the establishment of the Naval Proving Ground at Indian Head in the late 19 th century, the County s history reflects the diversity and continuity of life in southern Maryland. Charles County boasts numerous historic sites and traditional landscapes that reflect its past. The abundance of these monuments and sites attests to the county s rich history and enduring heritage. This heritage represents an invaluable and irreplaceable asset to its citizens. A considerable amount of architectural and archeological research has been conducted in the County over the past 10 years as a result of the recent historic sites survey and projects using federal funding or needing federal permits. As of 2004, there were 716 documented archeological sites and 809 documented historic resources listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Places. Several of these historic properties are open to the public including the reconstructed Port Tobacco courthouse, site of the County government seat in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. General Smallwood State Park contains the home of the revolutionary war hero, General William Smallwood. In central Charles County lies St. Ignatius at Chapel Point, the nation's oldest active Roman Catholic parish. Further north is the Mt. Carmel Monastery, site of the first Carmelite Monastery established in this country. St. Catherine is noted as the home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, the physician who treated President Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Thomas Stone, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived at Habre de Venture in Charles County. Each of the towns and villages in the County has its own special history. Benedict, founded in 1683, is the second oldest town in Charles County and is the site of the British landing during the War of 1812 and a U.S. Colored Troops training and recruitment camp during the Civil War. Bryantown was a crossroads community that thrived throughout the 19 th century. Indian Head was founded in 1890 when the U.S. Navy established a proving ground on Cornwalis Neck. Railroad towns established in the late 19 th century included Bel Alton, La Plata and Faulkner. Waldorf and Hughesville, also established as railroad villages, became known as tobacco auction centers after the 1930's. Charles County was fairly isolated until 1940 when the Gov. Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Potomac River Bridge) opened the area to north-south traffic on U.S Today, the close proximity of Charles County to the Washington-Baltimore area is attracting more residents to the County. Well organized and implemented historical protection programs will help the County's historic communities preserve their unique identities as the County grows. Actions since adoption of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan 1. In 2004, the County adopted the Historic Preservation Advisory Council s Historic Preservation Plan for Charles County. The citizen advisory council was formed in 2001 to guide the plan development which outlines current preservation partners, resources, goals and strategies. The draft plan is now going through review by the Planning Commission and the County Commissioners Charles County Comprehensive Plan

4 Historic / Cultural Preservation 2. In 2004, the Charles County Historic Sites Survey was updated resulting in the documentation of over three hundred additional historic properties, and the completion of a National Register of Historic Places multiple property nomination. The comprehensive survey characterizes and evaluates the complete range of the County's historic resources and provides a basis for a qualitative review of these resources. 3. In 2004, the Charles County Historical Trust started a new grant program with awards up to $500 in support of projects that educate, promote and preserve Charles County's heritage. 4. In 2003 Charles, Calvert and St. Mary s Counties completed the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Tourism Management Plan. The Heritage Area was state certified in The plan outlines themes and resources important to the heritage of the region and outlines stewardship and preservation issues associated with these resources. 5. County staff reviews subdivision preliminary plans, special exceptions applications, and demolition permits for potential adverse impacts to historic resources. The Maryland Inventory of Historic Sites and associated maps are used as a flagging system for identification of potential adverse impacts from proposed development. Mitigation measures are negotiated where possible to reduce impacts. Goals & objectives Historically significant structures and sites make unique contributions to the County's character and social fabric. They must be preserved if their qualities are to continue to influence the appearance, and quality of life in the County. Therefore, the goal of the Historic and Cultural Preservation element of the Plan is to: Preserve and enhance the County's rich cultural and historic heritage. In accordance with this goal, the following objectives are established: 10.1 Make use of a broad range of preservation tools and strategies to permanently protect the County s most significant historic assets. Develop programs and strategies to educate the public about heritage resources and their preservation Promote incentives to encourage heritage preservation programs and projects Continue the survey and evaluation of all heritage resources including buildings, structures, archaeological sites, and historic landscapes. Historic & cultural resource recognition and protection Historic preservation enhances community character and shows that a community has pride and selfawareness. Resources that are significant in history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture can be recognized and/or protected in different ways (Figure 10-1). National Historic Landmark This program, run by the National Park Service, is the primary Federal means of recognizing the exceptional national significance of historic properties. This program is also one of the major tools used to scrutinize proposals for additions to the National Park System. Habre de Venture, northwest of Port Tobacco, is the County's only national historic landmark Charles County Comprehensive Plan

5 National Register of Historic Places Historic / Cultural Preservation In 1966 Congress established the National Register of Historic Places as the Federal Government's official list of properties, including districts, significant in American history and culture. In Maryland, the register is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust. Listing in the National Register has the following results that assist in preserving historic properties: Recognition that a property is of significance to the nation, the State or the community. Consideration in the planning for federally or state assisted projects. Eligibility for Federal and Maryland tax benefits. Eligibility to apply for federal and state grants and loans. Qualification for Federal assistance for historic preservation, when funds are available. Listing on the register does not interfere with a private property owner's right to alter, manage or sell property. Charles County's resources listed in the National Register have increased to 37 individual sites, plus two historic districts: Port Tobacco and Bryantown. Ninety-six properties have been recommended for entry in the National Register as a result of the recent historic sites survey (Figure 10-1). Maryland historic preservation easements A historic preservation easement program monitored by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) preserves historic structures and properties for future generations. Easements may be assignable to other parties or run with the land so that the easement carries over from one owner to the next. The benefits for a property owner donating an easement include income, estate, inheritance, gift and property tax benefits. In exchange, the owner gives MHT authority regarding proposed alterations. Fourteen sites are protected by such easements in Charles County, including Linden Farm, Dr. Samuel Mudd House and Waldorf School (Figure 10-1). Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties The Maryland Historical Trust maintains a Charles County Inventory of Historic Sites. The inventory includes resources of all kinds such as houses, churches, and cemeteries, and contains over 800 listings. Criteria for entry on the inventory are that the resource be of known or potential value to Maryland's history and culture. The Inventory is primarily a research tool. No protection is afforded the resource solely by virtue of being listed. However, the resources on the index are the basis for County efforts to meet its historic and cultural preservation objectives. Local historic preservation ordinance In a locally designated historic district or landmark a Historic Preservation Commission reviews proposed changes that would affect historic resources. Currently the Town of La Plata has Charles County s only historic preservation ordinance. The purposes of a local historic district and landmark designation are defined in Section 8.01 of Article 66B in the Annotated Code of Maryland Charles County Comprehensive Plan

6 CALVERT COUNTY PRINCE GEORGE'S 301 COUNTY Bryans Road Waldorf Indian Head White Plains St Charles V I R G I N I A La Plata Bryantown Hughesville Benedict Patuxent River Port Tobacco Nanjemoy Bel Alton Dentsville ST. MARY'S COUNTY 301 Potomac River Potomac Wicomico Newburg Charles County Comprehensive Plan Figure 10-1 Legend Development District River Historic Sites National Register Listed National Register Eligible SCALE Miles Maryland Historical Trust Easement Properties River Cobb Island April 19, 2005

7 Historic / Cultural Preservation In summary, the purposes are to: Safeguard the heritage of a community by preserving elements of its cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history; Stabilize and improve property values; Foster civic beauty; Strengthen the local economy; and Promote the use, preservation, and appreciation of historic sites. By creating local historic districts communities can benefit in diverse ways, including: Preserving architecture significant to a community. Enabling a local community to control change within an area by adopting standards and guidelines tailored to the local setting. Establishing standards for new construction and infill development. Fostering community pride. Preserving environmental beauty. Increasing real estate values. Improving business opportunities. Implementation strategies The following strategies are designed to achieve the Comprehensive Plan's goal of preserving and enhancing the County's rich cultural and historic heritage. A Historic Preservation Commission should be created to assist the County in implementing these strategies. 1. Historic preservation ordinance. Formally adopt a historic preservation ordinance as a key strategy to protect significant historic districts and landmarks. Specifically target Port Tobacco and Bryantown for local historic district designation. Encourage individual property-owners of historically significant sites to seek historic landmark designation. 2. Design guidelines. Develop historic preservation design guidelines to be used by the Historic Preservation Commission to implement a historic preservation ordinance. Guidelines will establish appropriate materials, treatment and styles for renovation or new construction within historic districts. 3. Improvement programs. Research and evaluate improvement programs for historic districts including funding opportunities for revitalization and streetscape plans. 4. Protection of historic resources. Evaluate programs to acquire development rights, scenic and conservation easements, and fee simple lands for protection of critical historic viewsheds and vistas in Charles County, including the Maryland Scenic Byways Program. Evaluate implementation of density bonuses for developers that choose to rehabilitate and integrate a documented historic resource into a planned subdivision Charles County Comprehensive Plan

8 Historic / Cultural Preservation Promote the State and Federal income tax credit programs and develop local tax incentives. The Maryland Rehabilitation Tax Credit offers an income tax credit of 20 percent of certified rehabilitation work. The Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit offers an income tax credit for the certified Rehabilitation of income-producing properties. In accordance with State enabling legislation, create a local property tax credit where 10 percent of approved renovations will be reduced from a total property tax liability and/or create a 10 year property tax freeze on historic properties that are being rehabilitated. 5. Leverage resources by developing partnerships with local, state and federal governmental and private organizations. 6. Certified Local Government. Pursue Certified Local Government status through the Maryland Historical Trust that will allow Charles County access to federal funding to meet preservation objectives. 7. Southern Maryland Heritage Area Management Plan. Support the implementation of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Management Plan. Enhance heritage destinations and promote historic sites in the County. Encourage business services that are complimentary to historic areas. 8. Maintain and update the Charles County Inventory of Historic Properties. Survey and evaluate significant resources in Charles County including those that have not yet been identified including cultural landscapes, scenic vistas and rural roads. Continue to nominate sites to the National Register of Historic Places. Include a qualitative evaluation that would identify resources of irreplaceable value Charles County Comprehensive Plan