August 2020 marks 100 years of women’s voting rights. Image: Maryland Day [Picketing the White House for Suffrage], 1917. Harris & Ewing, Washington D.C., Library of Congress.
COVID-19 Operations Update
To keep staff, Historic Preservation Commissioners, and members of the public safe amid the pandemic, many of our regular operations have been adjusted.
Historic Preservation Commission Remote Meetings
Until further notice, all Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meetings will be held remotely. Meetings follow the official notice of all 2020 meeting dates, and begin with a work session at 6:00 pm followed by a hearing at 6:30 pm.
All HPC agendas are posted online. To testify on an agenda item, sign up online no later than 9:00 a.m. the day before the hearing. Members of the public wishing to observe can listen online.
Staff are working remotely but available via phone and email to assist you during regular business hours. Contact information for all Historic Preservation staff members is available on our website.
We’re Moving!
This month, Montgomery Planning is saying goodbye to the building we’ve called home since 1957. Our new office is a LEED Platinum-certified, mixed-use building located at 2425 Reedie Drive in downtown Wheaton.
Due to COVID-19, the office remains closed to the public. We’re excited to welcome you into this new space once it’s safe to do so!
Meet the New HPC Members
In July, the County Council approved three new appointees to the Historic Preservation Commission and reappointed Commissioner Karen Burditt to another three-year term. Silver Spring resident Mark Clements, Rockville resident James Doman, and Takoma Park resident Julie Pelletier replace three outgoing commissioners and join returning members of the Commission.
Women’s Fight for Voting Rights
To recognize the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, Historic Preservation staff researched Montgomery County’s role in the women’s suffrage movement. County residents organized suffrage clubs beginning the late 19th century and worked continuously until ratification was secured on August 18, 1920.
Visit our women’s suffrage project page to learn more about local suffrage activism, including the persistence of African American suffragists who fought double discrimination even after ratification of the 19th Amendment was secured.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Historic Preservation Commission meeting will be held on September 9. The agenda will be posted to the HPC Meetings 2020 page once available.
