HDC Finalizes May 17 Preservation Month Program on Sustainability; Vice Chair to Moderate

The City of Rockville Historic District Commission finalized plans for a Preservation Month program focused on sustainability and historic preservation, to be held Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grey Courthouse historic courtroom.

Staff described the event in the city calendar as "Sustainability and Historic Preservation," saying the program will let residents “learn how to modernize historic homes while preserving their character.” The program will include a keynote-style presentation from Rebecca Barlow, director of Historic Preservation for Montgomery County, and a homeowner panel featuring property owners who have installed solar panels, an electric-vehicle charger, or other energy upgrades.

Commissioners discussed a panel-format program in which owners would give brief remarks and then take audience questions. Commissioner Michael Goldfinger said a panel would allow owners to compare experiences and surface lessons learned; staff said they would provide panel questions in advance to help participants prepare. The commission decided the format should mix a longer presentation from Montgomery County’s preservation staff with a moderated panel of local homeowners.

Vice Chair Peter Falsiman was nominated and confirmed as moderator for the May 17 event. "I nominate Pete for this," one commissioner said during the meeting; the commission later voted to appoint him to that role. Staff said the program will not be recorded or live-streamed because the Grey Courthouse location lacks city AV infrastructure, but the city public information team will promote the event through city channels and partner lists. Staff also said they will bring a microphone, projector and screen for in-person presentations.

Organizers said they are aiming to include short tours of portions of the Grey Courthouse if a tour guide can be secured, but staff described several logistical roadblocks and said tours were not yet finalized. Staff and commissioners discussed outreach to Montgomery County and neighboring local groups; staff said they had circulated a save-the-date to county preservation contacts and intended to update the online calendar entry to emphasize "green practices in historic districts." The Historic District Commission asked staff to prepare slides and photos for the homeowners’ panel and to circulate suggested panel questions in advance.

The commission also agreed to rely on city staff to handle setup, photography and promotion; staff said they would not hire a professional photographer but would take photos for publicity.