Washington County Historical Trust of Maryland was founded in 1982 as an effort to save Wilson Bridge on Route 40. The Trust continues to foster historic preservation throughout Washington County by targeting specific historical properties that are threatened.

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Washington County Architectural & Historic Treasures Book

Architectural
& Historic Treasures of Washington County, Maryland

About The Trust

History of the Trust

Washington County Historical Trust was founded in 1982 as an effort to save Wilson Bridge on Route 40. Wilson, the first of the county's stone arch bridges, was built in 1819 as part of the Bank Road that would connect Baltimore with the National Road in Cumberland. Damaged by Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the bridge was placed in the National Register of Historic Places ten years later. It was finally slated for demolition because of the high cost of restoration. Route 40 had been moved onto a new, two-lane bridge just south of Wilson Bridge some years before. WCHT lobbied the Board of County Commissioners for many months and finally got a commitment from master mason, LeRoy Myers, to restore the structure for $100,000. WCHT then sought grants to pay for some of the cost. The Trust received an HCIF grant from Preservation Maryland to list unincorporated Leitersburg in the Register and has shepherded this important restoration project to completion in 1984. The full story of Wilson Bridge's rescue is in the book.

How it Works

washington county historic photo

Keeping the
door open to
the past

The Trust continues to foster preservation throughout the county by targeting specific properties that are threatened, conducting evaluations for the Maryland Historical Trust on those county properties under MHT easements and lobbying government bodies to support preservation.

The Trust has educated the towns of Williamsport, Keedysville and Boonsboro about the advantages of National Register Districts and about grants available to support these nominations. Both Williamsport and Keedysville now have districts and Boonsboro has begun the process. The Trust also received a HCIF grant from Preservation Maryland to list unincorporated Leitersburg in the Register and has shepherded this project to completion.

Members have also created a list of craftsmen who work on old houses and a list of conservators who work on paintings, paper products and fabrics. Owners of old houses can share information and learn from one another as well as from speakers who address the Trust meetings. Members wishing to become more involved within the county may choose to participate on one of the many volunteer committees within the Trust.

See how the Trust has been beneficial in the preservation of several properties in Washington County.

About the Board

The Board of Directors has four officers and three directors who are elected by the general membership at the annual meeting for terms beginning July 1st. Each member of the Board of Directors serves a two-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The current Board of Directors began serving on July 1st, 2005.

The current officers and directors are as follows:

Office Name

Chairperson: Patricia Schooley

Vice Chair : Gregory Sullivan

Treasurer: Diane Putman

Secretary: Martin Brubaker

Director: Victoria Sullivan

Director: Steven Hatleburg

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