Gaithersburg HDC recommends Summit Hall for National Register listing

Gaithersburg Historic District Commission members voted Oct. 29, 2025, to recommend Summit Hall for listing on the National Register of Historic Places following a staff eligibility review and public discussion.

Preservation planner Kate Sangregorio summarized the nomination to the commission, saying, “Summit Hall is eligible for the National Register under Criterion A for significant events” and noting that surviving outbuildings include a log smokehouse (c. 1800), a barn (c. 1900) and a tenant house that was built as an enslaved persons’ quarters in 1852. Sangregorio also told the commission the nomination cites agricultural significance (the Wilmont ownership operated a commercial turf farm) and Civil War associations, including a written journal by a former owner and an instance when Confederate General Jubal Early and his troops camped at the site.

“The location in Bohrer/Bora Park is the same and keeps overall feel,” Sangregorio said, describing the property’s integrity and recommending the commission forward a positive eligibility recommendation.

Commissioners expressed broad support during the discussion. Commissioner Rudy Morgan called the house “a beautiful building” and said the nomination meets the required criteria. Commissioner John Roddy thanked staff for the research and said the property “embodies the very essence of Gaithersburg.” Commissioner Kathleen Ramirez said she was surprised the property had not already been listed and described the buildings’ condition as “kept in such good condition.”

Several commissioners raised follow-up questions about practical next steps. Sangregorio said the nomination will move forward quickly: the state’s review has concluded and the nomination is being processed within the state/National Park Service schedule. Commissioners asked whether the city should commission Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)–level as-built drawings to strengthen the record. Director of Planning and Code Greg Mann answered, “What you're asking for would require a budgetary enhancement request through the city manager and the mayor and council's approval,” and cautioned staff should not promise HABS documentation in the nomination packet without funding.

Commissioners also discussed the nomination boundary and whether the DeSelim family cemetery on the larger park property should be included. Sangregorio said the cemetery is not included in the present nomination boundary; she explained that National Register boundaries may be drawn to include contributing landscape elements and need not follow parcel lines. Several commissioners urged that the city consider a separate local historic designation or subdividing the parcel to give the site stronger local protections and to ensure any future changes affecting the historic buildings come before the commission.

The commission voted to recommend Summit Hall for listing on the National Register. The chair called the roll; five commissioners verbally announced “aye,” and the chair declared the recommendation passed (announced tally 5-2-0). The motion text recorded by staff reads: “The Historic District Commission, based on its eligibility review and staff summary, recommends Summit Hall to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” A mover and second were indicated at the meeting but not recorded by name in the transcript.

Next steps cited at the meeting include staff forwarding the recommendation under the certified local government procedures for submission to the Maryland Historical Trust and the National Park Service. Commissioners and staff also discussed possible future tasks if listing is approved: a public event at the site, participation in a proposed ULI Leadership/Technical Advisory Panel to explore future uses, and evaluating whether to pursue local designation or boundary adjustments to protect the cemetery and limit the historic designation to the contributing buildings and immediate setting.

No members of the public registered to speak during the meeting. Staff reported one administrative approval unrelated to the nomination (a tree removal). The commission adjourned after the vote.