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Harford County HPC outlines preservation month events, America 250 trail and public art plans
Summary
At its May 6 meeting the Harford County Historic Preservation Commission reviewed a social media campaign, an America 250 celebration trail with about 63 sites, a May 17 Hays House program and a public art contest; staff emphasized outreach and noted some event details still need verification.
The Harford County Historic Preservation Commission on May 6 reviewed a slate of activities for National Historic Preservation Month aimed at boosting public engagement and highlighting local historic sites.
Harford County staff member Jacob Bensen presented the commission with a proposed "Harford County Loves Historic Preservation" social media campaign featuring photo signs for public use, the hashtag #Harfordloveshistoricpreservation and guidance to email photos to aawalker@harfordcountymd.gov. He also described participation in an America 250 Harford County Celebration Trail — using the Let’s Rallie app — with approximately 63 sites for visitation and a contest for users who visit the most sites.
The plans are intended to drive public visitation and awareness at county historic properties and to link local activities with the larger America 250 commemorations. Commission members emphasized outreach to families and partnerships with local organizations.
Bensen said the commission will host an in-person program at the Hays House Museum titled “What’s Behind the North Wall?” on May 17 to be presented by Bensen and Peter Allen; he stated the event time as 1 p.m. but said the time needs to be verified with the Historical Society. He also noted a proposed Freedom 250 mobile museum visit (discussed for American Legion Post 39) and a public art contest whose selected panels would be displayed at the Historical Society and then permanently installed nearby.
Reporting on recent outreach, Bensen said the April 25 Ag-Stravaganza drew strong interest at the Joesting-Gorsuch House, with more than 100 adults and about 70 children visiting the site; copies of a brief history prepared for the event will be kept in the house.
The commission took no public comment at the meeting. The body approved its April minutes earlier in the session and adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
