Category: Centennial Homes

Our Newest Centennial Home: The Oleniacz & Policastri Family in Canton

The 1925 Deed

On April 10, 2025, Baltimore Heritage awarded a Centennial Homes certificate to Margie and Joe Policastri. Margie’s grandparents bought this quintessential rowhouse (brick construction, stained glass above the door, and marble steps) in February 1925 and it has remained in the family ever since. When Johns presented the certificate to Margie and Joe, they told him all about the neighborhood back in the 1970s and how it has changed over time. We are grateful for the family’s presence in the neighborhood and their wonderful stewardship of the house!

The Baltimore Centennial Homes project, developed in collaboration between Baltimore Heritage and City Councilman James Kraft, recognizes families that have been in the same house for 100 years or more. These families have anchored Baltimore’s historic blocks and neighborhoods through good times and bad. Their stories show the changes that our communities and our city have experienced as well as the critical roles that neighborhoods and their families have played in keeping historic neighborhoods thriving.

New Centennial Home: The Bauer Family in Bellona-Gittings

On December 18, 2024, Baltimore Heritage awarded the Bauer family with a Centennial Homes certificate. The Bauer family has owned this house on Hollen Road since before this part of Baltimore was incorporated into the city in 1918. The Bauer family also operated a florist near here for 99 years (and grew the flowers between the house and the florist shop).

One of the current owners, Lindsey Bauer, remembers visiting every Friday for dinner as a child. Thank you to the Bauer family for their continued commitment to this wonderful historic home.

Our Newest Centennial Home: The Parago-Culbreath Family

On July 30, 2024, Baltimore Heritage, in partnership with the Bolton Hill Community Association (BHA), awarded the Parago-Culbreath family with a Centennial Homes certificate. The Parago-Culbreath family has lived in their home on Dolphin St. for over 116 years. This is the longest occupancy by a family in Bolton Hill, and for a few generations they held strong here through segregationist housing policies. We are grateful to this family’s endurance, strength and continued stewardship of the property.

The Baltimore Centennial Homes project, developed in collaboration between Baltimore Heritage and City Councilman James Kraft, recognizes families that have been in the same house for 100 years or more. These families have anchored Baltimore’s historic blocks and neighborhoods through good times and bad. Their stories show the changes that our communities and our city have experienced as well as the critical roles that neighborhoods and their families have played in keeping historic neighborhoods thriving.

Members of the Parago-Culbreath family with the Centennial Home certificate.

New Centennial Home Added: The King, Miller & Callanan Family in Highlandtown!

On June 20, 2023, Baltimore Heritage awarded Margaretta Callanan with a Centennial Homes certificate. Her family has owned their home on Foster Ave for over 108 years. Margaretta’s maternal grandmother, Barbara King, lived her sixty of her eighty-nine years. Margaretta’s mom, Marie Emily Miller, lived here ninety-four of her ninety-seven years. Thank you to this family for taking such great care of an iconic Baltimore rowhouse!

New Centennial Home Added: The Shivers, Steltz, & VanDyke Home in Riverside

On June 19, 1919, Sharon VanDyke’s grandparents, Harry and Edna Shivers, bought 406 E Randall St. in Riverside. Their daughter, Devera Steltz, was born in the front room and then occupied the home through the 1960’s. Devera’s daughter, Sharon VanDyke, currently lives here. This quintessential Baltimore rowhouse (marble steps, formstone and a Camark cat are all Bmore hallmarks!) has been owned by the family for over 100 years. On April 14, 2023 Baltimore Heritage presented Sharon VanDyke with a Centennial Homes plaque and certificate.