$100K African American Heritage Grant Awarded In Montgomery Co.

GERMANTOWN, MD — A Montgomery County nonprofit working to preserve an African American historical site has received a $100,000 grant from the state, the Hogan administration announced Tuesday.

The Warren Historic Site in Dickerson is one of 12 nonprofits to receive a total of nearly $1 million from the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Trust. The money will go toward repairing and renovating various African American heritage sites across the state, officials said.

"Our administration is pleased to provide funding that will improve and preserve sites that promote African American heritage in Maryland," said Gov. Larry Hogan. "It is essential that we recognize and understand the history of these sites and their significance in the African American experience in our state and our nation."

Funds were given to the following recipients:

• Fairmount Heights World War II Monument in Prince George's County ($12,250)
• Liberty Grace Church of God in Baltimore City ($100,000)
• Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester County ($100,000)
• Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Allegany County ($100,000)
• McConchie One-Room School in Charles County ($99,000)
• Zion United Methodist Church in Caroline County ($100,000)
• Robert W. Johnson Community Center in Washington County ($100,000)
• Sotterley Plantation: Slave Cabin in St. Mary's County ($78,000)
• Ellsworth Cemetery in Carroll County ($65,000)
• Asbury M.E. Church in Talbot County ($100,000)
• Fruitland Community Center in Wicomico County ($44,000)
• The Warren Historic Site in Montgomery County ($100,000)

According to the Hogan administration, $100,000 is going to The Warren Historic Site, which is "believed to be the last in Maryland to retain all three of the traditional buildings — the church, school, and lodge hall — that comprised the nucleus for the post-Emancipation African American community."

The complex consists of the 1886 Martinsburg Negro School, the 1903 Warren United Methodist Church, and the 1914 Loving Charity Hall.

No longer an active community, the site is cared for by a group of volunteers on the Warren Historic Site Committee. The committee holds regular fundraisers to help maintain the buildings, which are still used for community events and weddings, according to the complex's website.

The $100,000 grant, state officials say, will cover roof and exterior masonry repairs on the church, as well as roof, foundation, and floor repairs of the school.

In an interview with Patch, Warren Historic Site Committee president Elsie Thomas expressed her excitement about the grant, saying it will cover the costs of necessary repairs.

"We are excited about getting the money. We have so many things we are planning to do with these funds that are coming in," Thomas said.

The roof of the church, for instance, leaks whenever it rains. Once it's repaired, Thomas said visitors won't have to dodge rain drops leaking through the ceiling.

"We feel like once we get all this work done and visitors see the end result...the building will be more inviting," Thomas said. "I think people will like to come and worship with us."

Unlike other African American historical sites in Maryland, Dickerson has managed to preserve its church, one-room school house, and social hall. Thomas largely credits the feat to donations, fundraisers, grants, and volunteers.

"We want to keep it going as long as we can," Thomas said.

This isn't the first time these preservation efforts were recognized by the state. On Jan. 23, the site received the Maryland Historical Trust's Stewardship Award after restoring the dilapidated Loving Charity Hall.

Heritage Montgomery, a nonprofit designed to help preserve and raise the profile of local historical sites, played a key role in the Loving Charity Hall restoration project funding and implementation, according to a Jan. 29 press release.

"This award, it's like getting first prize," Heritage Montgomery Executive Director Sarah L. Rogers told Patch in an interview. "It's not money. But it does acknowledge excellence in the work that is done and becomes an example for other sites around the state to see what can be done."