Author: Johns

Johns Hopkins has been the executive director of Baltimore Heritage since 2003. Before that, Johns worked for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development developing and implementing smart growth and neighborhood revitalization programs. Johns holds degrees from Yale University, George Washington University Law School, and the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.

Jobs, energy efficiency, and historic preservation are now before Congress

Yesterday afternoon, Senator Ben Cardin announced the introduction of new legislation in Congress to expand the reach of the federal historic rehabilitation tax credit program. This would be great news for us in Baltimore, and in fact Senator Cardin chose Baltimore’s own Clifton Mansion, which the nonprofit Civic Works is restoring with the help of the current federal program, as the location to make his announcement.

Senator Cardin’s bill, the Creating American Prosperity through Preservation (CAPP) Act, helps smaller projects by increasing the tax credit on projects of $5 million or less and promote energy-efficiency. By supporting historic preservation across the nation, this bill also has tremendous potential to create jobs as Senator Cardin said yesterday:

“I am extremely proud of this bill because it will help ensure that historic properties are restored and made useful once again, while creating jobs that will stimulate greater economic activity. The Historic Tax Credit has created some 2 million jobs nationwide since 1978 and by expanding the program to include energy-efficient improvements and additional restoration projects, we can create thousands of new jobs in renovating historic properties.”

In Baltimore, the federal credit has been instrumental in numerous historic rehab projects including the American Can Company, Tide Point, the Hippodrome Theater, Clipper Mill, and Montgomery Park, just to name a few. The National Trust for Historic Preservation joined Senator Cardin in announcing that the CAPP Act is their top legislative priority for 2012. Republican Senator Olympia Snowe from Maine is a co-sponsor of Senator Cardin’s bill and with bi-partisan support in the Senate we hope that Senator Cardin is successful and that the bill will become law.

Learn to restore historic wood windows with the “The Old House Doctor”

Wood Window Restoration WorkshopHome owners, contractors, architects, and anyone who loves their old house is invited to join Baltimore Heritage and Duffy Hoffman, “The Old House Doctor,” at Second Chance on March 24 for a one-day wood window rehabilitation workshop. Attendees will learn how to repair and preserve deteriorating and damaged wood building components and how to appropriately restore and weatherize historic wood windows. RSVP then pay online today! Learn about windows and more with our resources for homeowners.

Architects can receive 6 AIA/CES (HSW/SD) with registration.

Windows Restoration Workshop with Duffy Hoffman, “The Old House Doctor”

Saturday, March 24, 2012
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Second Chance, 1700 Ridgely Street, 21230
RSVP Today!
$20.00 per person, payable online.

Space is limited so please register before March 17, 2012.

About Duffy Hoffman

Owner of Hoffman Preservation & Restoration, Duffy Hoffman is a third generation craftsman with more than 25 years experience in the preservation trades. He is also one of the five founders of the “Window Preservation Standards Collaborative” a group focused on setting the standard for window restoration and weatherization.

Hoffman has conducted countless classes nationwide, most notably at the International Preservation Trades Workshop and the Traditional Building Exhibition & Conference. He is a notable presenter and workshop leader at regional, statewide, and national events throughout the country including historical shows in the Northeast. In addition, he has also presented at the annual conferences of the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association. His expertise has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and twice on the HGTV television show “Restore America”.

Workshop Schedule

Morning Session – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

  • Examine the impact of site features and building design on exterior woodwork.
  • Get hands on experience using epoxy consolidants and wood fillers.
  • See demonstrations of appropriate Dutchman repairs.
  • Learn the importance of proper ventilation and coatings for wood features.
  • Learn how to avoid mistakes that can increase your project costs.

Lunch Break – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

  • Pack a lunch, find a bite in the neighborhood or buy lunch at the Souper Freaks Lunch Truck (stopping at Second Chance for our workshop).

Afternoon Session – 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

  • Review the different components of a window and how they function.
  • Learn about paint removal techniques, lead-based paint, and new federal guidelines for abatement.
  • Watch how to strip, repair and repaint a window.
  • Learn about techniques for weatherizing and improving the thermal efficiency of a window.
  • Learn about the benefits of repair and rehabilitation over complete replacement.

Question and Answer Session – 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Support our work through the Maryland Charity Campaign

Our work to protect and preserve Baltimore’s heritage is only possible thanks to the support of members who believe in our mission. If you are a state employee, this is a great time to become a member of Baltimore Heritage by making a gift through the Maryland Charity Campaign. The Maryland Charity Campaign is an annual workplace giving program that offers state employees the opportunity to contribute to charities using a convenient payroll deduction.

Make your gift of $35, $50, or whatever amount is right for you by filling in 5486 on your pledge card or the online form. For the first time this year, you can make an “Evergreen gift,” and your annual pledge amount can continue to renew annually through December 2013. Gifts made via check or credit cards are for one year and do not rollover. If you are not a state employee, you can still become a member by giving online today. In a very direct way, your help makes all that we do possible. Thank you for your past support and for joining us as we expand our leadership in protecting our shared history and revitalizing our historic neighborhoods.

Reminder! Civil War 150: Slavery & Historic Sites Lecture tomorrow

What do the historic sites of Cliveden in Philadelphia, Drayton Hall in Charleston, and Decatur House in Washington, DC all have in common? They are fantastic historic places with ties to slavery and are at the forefront in thinking about how to interpret slavery in a historic context. As we continue our commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, please join us and Ms. Nell Ziehl from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for a discussion on how sites across the country preserve and interpret the history of slavery. This field has evolved quickly over the last several years, with richer information and more accurate accounts displayed and featured. The National Trust owns several sites with strong ties to slavery (including the three listed above) and has been a leader in this movement, and Ms. Ziehl will share some of the challenges and successes in this ongoing endeavor. The location of the talk, Ebenezer AME Church, itself has ties to slavery and the Civil War. Constructed in 1865, it is the oldest standing church built by African Americans in Baltimore, and the congregation, dating to 1836, was active in the helping escaping slaves for many years.

Slavery and Historic Sites with the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Thursday, October 6, 2011
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Ebenezer AME Church, 20 West Montgomery St., 21230
Free (thanks to Free Fall Baltimore!)
No RSVP required! Just show up. We have plenty of space.

Civil War 150: Slavery and Historic Places in Baltimore

In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, Baltimore Heritage is sponsoring a two-part program to explore sites in Baltimore with important ties to slavery and to learn about what historic sites around the country are doing to tell the story of slavery in America. The first part of the program is a walking tour of FrederickDouglass’s Fell’s Point, led by historian Louis Fields. The second part will be a talk by Ms. Nell Ziehl of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, on interpretation of slavery at historic sites nationally. Both are free, and I hope you can join us.

Frederick Douglass’s Fell’s Point Walking Tour

Saturday, October 1, 2011, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Free, RSVP
RSVP is required.  Expect confirmation with additional details.

Slavery and Historic Sites

Ms. Nell Ziehl, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Thursday, October 6, 2011, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Ebenezer Church, 20 West Montgomery Street, Baltimore 21230
Free, RSVP not required

Frederick Douglass is quoted as saying that knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom, and he certainly grabbed a good dose of it as a youngster in Fell’s Point. It was here that he learned to read and write, and from here that he escaped to freedom. In a two hour walking tour, local historian Louis Fields will lead us through Fell’s Point as experienced and shaped by Frederick Douglass in the years leading up to the Civil War and immediately after it. Mr. Fields was a driving force behind the creation of the plaques and monuments to Frederick Douglass that are now located throughout the area.

In the second part of our Civil War commemoration series, Ms. Nell Ziehl will lead a discussion on how sites owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation across the country preserve and interpret slavery. The interpretation and presentation of history involving slavery has evolved quickly over the last several years, with richer information and more accurate accounts in the forefront. The National Trust owns several sites with strong ties to slavery and the Civil War and has been a leader in this movement, and Ms. Ziehl will share some of the challenges and successes in this ongoing endeavor. Please join us for either or both of these free events.

These events are made possible by Free Fall Baltimore and its sponsors: Susquehanna Bank and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, The Abell Foundation, William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, American Trading and Production Corporation (Atapco) and Baltimore Community Foundation. Thanks also to Free Fall media sponsors: The AFRO-American Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun, The City Paper, The Urbanite, The Jewish Times, , Maryland Public Television, WBAL-TV, WJZ-TV, WBFF/Fox45-TV, CW/Baltimore-TV, WMAR-TV, WUTB-TV, WYPR Radio, WEAA Radio, WWMX Radio , Radio One: Magic 95.9; Spirit 1400; WOLB; 92Q, and CityPeek.