HomeMy WebLinkAbout25.04.14 - Minutes, Historical Advisory CommitteeMinutes of the meeting of the Historical Advisory Committee of the Washington County
Commissioners. 12 Noon, April 14, 2025 at County Office Building on Northern Ave.
Members Present:
Ralph Young, Bill Knode, Jefferson Boyer, Tom Clemens, Tom Freeman, Laura Zimmerman and Scott
Hobbs, Washington County Director of Engineering and Andrew Eshleman, Washington County Director
of Public Works.
No minutes of the March meeting were presented as this was primarily a meeting to
discuss the status & future of Price's Bridge over Antietam Creek. Scott led off the discussion by
listing the number and status of stone arched bridges in the county. Counting major & minor
bridges, there are 40 still in use and/or preserved. The county spends over $1 million a year to
maintain these existing bridges. There is some federal matching money in that figure. Scott also
gave an interesting illustrated talk about the process of restoring and repairing these bridges, and
the process to keep them in usage as part of our county & state road system.
Regarding the restoration of Price's Bridge, Scott and Andrew both provided detailed
facts about the difficulties and costs to restore the bridge. This bridge was built in 1832 by
Charles Wilson, and it was in use until it was severely damaged by Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
Scott mentioned that beyond the costs, there are several complicated property ownership issues
involved, which would severely inhibit usage and maintenance. The Washington County Historic
District Committee has also discussed this issue, perhaps to create a public park or historic site
marker there. The adjacent land owner is not open to this idea, nor to restoration. This would all
but eliminate access.
If an attempt to restore or stabilize the bridge were made, it would be eligible for MD
Historical Trust funding. (Note: Since this meeting the state budget was passed with significant
cuts for preservation.) The county is currently spending about $500.000 annually to remove
debris that collects on the upstream side of the bridge. The estimated cost of restoration would
likely exceed $5.5 million, and no federal funds would be available since it is not currently in
use...
Both Andrew & Scott made it clear that doing nothing is not an option. No vote nor
decision was made, as this was an informational meeting. The committee extended our thanks to
these two gentlemen for their detailed presentation.
Old Business
Membership — Ralph announced that Catherine Magi has moved out of state, so there is
a vacancy on the board. It was suggested that David Wiles of Clear Spring be invited to
join the committee.
Historic Signs, National Road mile markers, update, - The brown metal historic site
signs installed during the 1990's are fading and in disrepair in many instances. Meghan
Jenkins found records of the signs in Steve Goodrich's papers and currently has a new
employee evaluating and inventorying the signs. The missing National Road mile
marker on Alternate 40 near Cool Hollow is actually in the National Road museum in
Boonsboro. A replacement stone will be requested through SHA. Tom has provided a list
of the signs erected by Save Historic Antietam Foundation. The county is compiling a
master list of all these signs.
• Reichard farm complex on Greencastle Pike — Ralph briefly outlined the plans to move the
structures to the Agricultural Center. Ralph discussed the site at the Ag Center with Mr.
Eshelman. He directed him to speak with Tom Gozora at the Ag Center to discuss our desired
location.
• Boyer House — Tom C. reported that the house will soon go on the market, with restrictive
easements to protect the house & property.
• 2025 Preservation Awards — We briefly discussed the final plans for the luncheon, which will
be held at Leiter's Catering in Hagerstown. Tom agreed to collect the reservations. Heather is
working on the PowerPoint slides, Laura will provide flowers for the tables.
• Heather is working on a Webpage for our Committee.
• No news on the relocation of the WMD locomotive 202.
May Meeting, times & place — Our next meeting will be at Leiter's Catering on May 14 at 10:00 a.m. to
review plans for the May 15th award luncheon.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Clemens