County extends one-year support for Historical Activities projects as museum, oral histories advance

Montgomery County's Joint Education and Culture and Planning, Housing and Parks committees received an update on the Historical Activities non-departmental account (NDA) and on plans to develop a county history center and mark the county's 250th anniversary.

Mr. Logan (S10), representing the historical-activities program, told the committee the executive recommended a 3% increase to the NDA (about $6,656 relative to FY25) and that the county will provide an additional one year of support for two signature projects: the Black Resistance Oral History Initiative and the county's 250th anniversary "Unfinished Revolution" project. OMB staff clarified the extension is one additional year of funding to assist with fundraising and the development of new public spaces.

Logan outlined two near-term facilities projects: (1) acquisition and renovation of the Farmers Bank and Trust building at Fort Courthouse Square and (2) finalizing a lease for the top floor of the county courthouse to store artifacts and create exhibit and office space. He said the program holds roughly 10,000 artifacts currently stored in multiple locations and hopes to start construction this fall with a phased move-in targeted for the following summer.

"It's going to be a big lift for us," Logan said, explaining that initial cost estimates for renovations exceeded earlier expectations and that moving artifacts is expensive and painstaking. He highlighted editorial and research work underway for the "Unfinished Revolution" history update, including chapters on transportation, Jim Crow-era activity and indigenous prehistory, and cited partnerships with the League of Women Voters and Montgomery Parks.

Council members expressed support for the oral-history work and the history center idea, urged inclusion of descendant communities in programming and offered to help coordinate school partnerships for the 250th anniversary activities. The committee recorded no objection to the one-year funding extension during the session.

What happens next: OMB and the historical activities staff will continue fundraising and finalize lease and renovation timelines. Committee members asked that staff return with updates as projects progress and with clear plans for artifact consolidation and public programming.

Sources: Remarks from Ms. Cummings (S3), Matt Logan (S10) and OMB staff during the committee session recorded in the transcript.