Who We Are
Historic Ellicott City, Inc.
For over 50 years, Historic Ellicott City, Inc. has strived to preserve and restore the Ellicott City Historic District and other historic Howard County landmarks.
Founded in 1973, Historic Ellicott City, Inc. (HEC) is a non-profit organization that has dedicated itself to the preservation and promotion of the historical and cultural heritage of Ellicott City and Howard County. Over the years, HEC, Inc. has raised well over 2 million dollars in funds to protect and preserve historical landmarks, educate residents on the town’s history and advocate for policies and initiatives that support historic preservation at the local and state levels.
HEC, Inc. is best known for its decorator show houses, a fund raising initiative that has resulted in the restoration of historic homes and raised funds to support other preservation projects in Ellicott City and Howard County.
Preservation Achievements
Preservation & Restoration Projects Over The Years
Historic Ellicott City, Inc.’s very first project was the restoration of the B&0 Railroad Station. HEC, Inc. and Howard County banded together to raise over $140,000 dollars to complete phase one of this project.
Over the years, HEC, Inc. has supported restoration efforts including the George Ellicott House, the Merryman Street (Thomas Isaac) Cabin and renovation efforts at Carrollton Hall. To learn more about our preservation achievements, explore the interactive history of each achievement by clicking the link below.
Contribute to Our Preservation & Restoration Mission
HEC, Inc. continues to actively find new fundraising projects and ways to support Ellicott City and Howard County preservation efforts so that future generations can understand and appreciate the history of our community. We hope you will consider participating in this effort with us.
Become a Member
Become a Volunteer
Donate to Our Cause
Visit Our Gift Shop
Fundraising Initiative
Annual Decorator Show Houses
Our passion for preservation is best known by our annual Decorator Show House. With over 30 successful show houses and counting, our efforts have led to successful partnerships with property owners in restoring our county’s historic homes and preserving them for future generations.
Good afternoon fellow Preservationists:
As a wonderful punctuation mark!!! at the end of Black History month, we want to share some very exciting news about restoration to be done at Blandair. We want to applaud the work of the County's Historic and Cultural Resource section manager, Tiffany Fisk for doggedly pursuing this grant. Well done, Tiffany!👏
You may share this posting with others who may appreciate it.
Thank you,
Connie Siegel, President
Howard County, Maryland
Howard County awarded $250k to preserve building that housed enslaved African Americans
By Dennis Valera,
Howard County getting $250k to preserve historic building 02:27
COLUMBIA -- Howard County is getting a pretty sizeable grant to preserve a piece of its history.
In Blandair Regional Park, there's a building that used to be the home of enslaved African Americans that was first built in the 1800s. The county wants to fix it up and learn more about it.
It's still hard to pinpoint exactly when the slave quarters were built, but Tiffany Fisk, Howard County's Historic and Cultural Resources Section Manager, said it's estimated to have been around since the 1840s and 1850s.
It's a rare one at that, being a duplex.
"I speak for anybody who's been in here the last couple of years as we've started to pursue this," Fisk said. "You know you're someplace that's important. You can feel it."
Fisk is part of the team trying to bring the building to life. It's on a part of land in the park that's still under development.
The county recently got an African American Heritage Preservation Program Award, totaling up to $250,000. All of the funds will be used to restore the building.
Another expert that's part of the effort is Howard County architectural historian Ken Short, who is making sure every detail in the restoration is right.
"As historians, we're striving to tell the true story, and from my perspective, the little details added together sort of make that true story," Short said.
More to learn
Fisk said there's still so much more to learn about the property. She said they now know there were around 10 to 20 enslaved African Americans who could've been living at these quarters at any given time.
While Fisk said they're now tracking a family that could've lived here, there isn't really anything known about these people.
She said restoring the building is a big step in finding out more about them: about Howard County's history.
"The history of slavery African American history [in Howard County]...it's just not told," Fisk said. "There are people who are trying to unearth more and more. We just need to keep going. We need to keep the momentum going." ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
We look forward to posting updates as the work commences. We support the preservation of Historic sites throughout the county! The story continues!
Good work, Tiffany and Beth!
Yay, Tiffany Fisk! She's amazing!
Only 8 tickets are remaining… Get ‘em before they’re gone1
ticketscandy.com/e/mill-town-tea-secrets-of-the-chocolate-maker-8426 ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
ticketscandy.com/e/mill-town-tea-secrets-of-the-chocolate-maker-8426 Here’s a direct link for tickets. And the link to our website so you can join our mission is here! www.historicec.com
Here's the link to buy your ticket to our Tea. Limit of 50 persons. If you are a member of either Historic Ellicott City, Inc. Or the Howard County Historical Society you receive a $10 discount. Not a member yet? Join us now and your membership runs until April 30, 2026. Www.historicec.com.!
Tickets are now available for our next Mill Town Tea event! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
This will be a lot of fun and tasty too! Learn how chocolate was first developed and progressed to the wonders created today by local chocolate maker, Sue of Sweet Cascades.
youtu.be/y5BM_yIdusc?si=0i8fPtNk53xKhDhS ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for sharing such a meaningful story. Your intersection of life with Mr. Olin has proved a godsend for our town's preservation on canvas even if floods, fires or the vagaries of politics interfere. Vive Messrs. Olin and Purkey!
Colonel Kenneth Olin retired from the U.S. Army, Artillery Division, after 20 years of service. He opened Olin’s 5 & 10 on Main Street, Ellicott City in the building that later housed Chez Fernand Restaurant until it was destroyed by fire in 1984. Mr. Olin expanded into the second floor and added an art supply store. He later closed the 5 & 10 and moved 3 buildings up the street and opened Olin’s Art Shop where he sold art supplies and offered custom picture framing. He did the four drawings between 1967 and 1969 and sold prints for one dollar. He was the first person that I remember that had any kind of interest in local history and architecture. Mr Olin, along with his drawings and paintings is the reason that Ellicott City became my primary subject matter as an artist.
Good “GIVING TUESDAY” morning! What better gift than contributing to the preservation of our beautiful Ellicott City!
You can join our organization (with as much or as little involvement as you choose), buy a gift from our gift store, or simply contribute with a check. Every dollar goes toward our preservation efforts.
Happy Giving Tuesday!
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Historic Ellicott City | Preserve, Educate and Restore
www.historicec.com
Who We Are Historic Ellicott City, Inc. For over 50 years, Historic Ellicott City, Inc. has strived to preserve and restore the Ellicott City Historic District and other historic Howard County landmar...1 CommentComment on Facebook
Here's to all of our past, present and future supporters! Thank you and Bravo!
Don't go out in the Black Friday craziness! Just tap our link to find unique, Ellicott City themed gifts for...hostess gifts...the office holiday gift exchange...your book club gift exchange...the friend/relative that visited you and fell in love with our town...
You can order and pay online, then pick up locally in Ellicott City!
Also, if you would like to become a member of HEC, Inc., you'll get a free gift with your membership! As a member, you'll be the first to know about a Show House! You'll have an insiders view on the preservation projects that we're known for!
Click on our link below for access to the gift shop, information on HEC, Inc., and membership. We would love you to be part of preserving our beautiful, historic hometown!
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Historic Ellicott City | Preserve, Educate and Restore
www.historicec.com
Who We Are Historic Ellicott City, Inc. For over 50 years, Historic Ellicott City, Inc. has strived to preserve and restore the Ellicott City Historic District and other historic Howard County landmar...1 CommentComment on Facebook
Just delivered our first order of 4 tote bags. Thank you!
Visit our online shop for some unique Ellicott City gifts! Great for local friends and family, and also for those out of state to remember our beautiful town! ❤️
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Gift Shop - Historic Ellicott City
historicec.com
HEC Gift Shop Gift Items Now Available Items are available through our partners or can be ordered directly through HEC. Members enjoy a 20% discount off all retail prices when purchasing directly from...1 CommentComment on Facebook
We're happy to arrange a convenient pick up site for your purchases. Support our preservation mission with these unique gifts. 🎁