Who We Are
About Historic Ellicott City, Inc.
From left standing: Fred Shultz, Enalee Bounds, Horace Lehneis
Seated: County Executive: Omar Jones
Preservation & Restoration
Who Is Historic Ellicott City, Inc.?
Historic Ellicott City, Inc., commonly referred to as “HEC,” is a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 1972 as a result of the merger of Historic Ellicott Mills, Inc. and the Ellicott City Bicentennial Association, Inc. Shortly after its founding, the organization began a long-term effort to restore and operate the B&O Railroad Museum which was damaged in the major flooding from Hurricane Agnes in 1972. At the same time, HEC was actively supporting an effort to establish the Ellicott City Historic District Commission and promoted the designation of the old portion of Ellicott City as an officially recognized member of the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Mission
From restoring historical buildings and landmarks to supporting preservation policies and initiatives, HEC, Inc. is dedicated to its mission of preserving and promoting our historical heritage in Ellicott City and Howard County.
Jean Hannon: Designer of Howard County Flag
Our Story
The Beginning of a Restoration Movement
In the 1960’s Main Street Ellicott City was going through a moment of truth. Modernization on Route 40 was looming, but a natural born preservationist, Jean Hannon, was determined not to lose what history had provided. Jean initiated and supervised the restoration movement begun by garden clubs and civic organizations. In 1960 she participated in “Paint Ellicott City”, a painting and clean-up project sponsored by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and won a $500 prize that was the seed money for her newly established Old Line Shop on Main Street.
The Old Line Shop became the launching pad for others interested in investing in Main Street. Jean subsequently founded Historic Ellicott Mills, Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit with a mission to restore and preserve Old Ellicott City.
Historic Ellicott City Inc. Is Formed
Enalee Bounds, a like-minded and equally passionate preservationist, moved her business into the Walker-Chandler house and established Ellicott’s Country Store. Then along came another gal, Agnes, Hurricane Agnes, in June of 1972, that resulted in devastating flooding of Old Ellicott City.
Since the bicentennial celebration of Ellicott City’s founding in 1772 had already been planned, the Bicentennial Committee of which Enalee was a leader, carried on with the festivities in October, but the B & O Train Station had been badly damaged in the flood. These two preservationists saw the writing on the wall and knew demolition of the nation’s first railroad terminus was not far off and sprang into action. By the next fall the two joined forces by merging the two organizations, and thus began Historic Ellicott City, Inc.
Our Story
Through the Decades
Founding of Historic Ellicott City, Inc.
September 19, 1973 The Bicentennial Association (Ellicott City’s 200) and Historic Ellicott Mills, Inc. votes to merge and become Historic Ellicott City, Inc. (HEC, Inc.)
B & O Train Station Restoration
Plans are developed to restore the 1831 B & O Train Station ravaged by Hurricane Agnes (June 1972). HEC, Inc. hires architect Andy Cascio of PASA Engineers and Consultants. HEC, Inc. together with Howard County raised funds more than $140, 000 to complete this project through auctions, galas and donations.
Other Notable Achievements & Moments
- Heritage Newsletter began bimonthly publication of HEC, Inc’s activities as well as feature articles of an historical nature.
- Ellicott City is established as the First Historic District in Howard County on a map developed by first Vice President, Jean Hannon.
- Ellicott City is placed on the National Register of Historic Places under the direction of Jean Hannon and the board of HEC, Inc.
- Fundraising begins for the Merryman Street Log Cabin
Merryman Street Log Cabin
The Merryman Street log cabin is presented to HEC, Inc. by owner, Mrs. Fannie Stanton, for the purpose of preserving it. The Merryman Street Log Cabin is the first meeting place of members and organizers of St. Luke’s AME Church. Dismantling of the cabin begins, and it is moved offsite and stored in climate-controlled area of Centennial Park until the county can find a suitable site. Costs to HEC, Inc. are more than $140,000.
The George Ellicott House Project Begins
The George Ellicott House was built in 1789 by the fourth son of Andrew and Elizabeth Ellicott. Preservationists looked for ways to spare the George Ellicott House the same fate. In 1986, a partnership including HEC, Inc., Charles Wagandt’s Oella Company, Judge John L. Clark and Senator James Clark embarks on the ambitious project of moving the house across Frederick Road to higher ground.
Other Notable Achievements & Moments
- HEC holds it's first decorator show house fundraiser. Temora was held in 1984. Since then, 33 Show Houses have been held as the primary fundraiser for HEC, Inc.’s restoration projects.
- The gardens at the Patapsco Female Institute. The development of the gardens at the Patapsco Female Institute was undertaken with funds from the Paternal Gift Showhouse and Adopt a Tree program.
The George Ellicott House Project Continues
Work continues on the interior restoration of the George Ellicott house under the direction of Jeffrey A. Lees architect and Azola contracting with HEC, Inc. support. George Ellicott House is completed in April 1991.
B & O Train Station Museum Operation
HEC, Inc. continuously operates the B&O Train Station Museum featuring popular programs and re-enactments, open to the public 7 days a week. In 1996 HEC, Inc. transitions the station to Howard County ownership, with the land belonging to CSX (then C&O/Chessie).
Other Notable Achievements & Moments
- HEC, Inc. Publishes. “The Ellicotts: Striving for a Holy Community” by Alison Ellicott Myland Gregory. Sold locally in and around Ellicott City was published by HEC, Inc.
- Pfeiffer’s Corner Schoolhouse Project. HEC, Inc. donates $500 towards the restoration of the circa 1883 one room schoolhouse, Pfeiffer’s Corner.
- Ellicott City celebrates is 225th Birthday!
Restoration of the Caboose
Together with Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks and with HEC, Inc. and Modern Woodmen of America matching funds, a restoration of the caboose begins at the B & O Station. The dedication occurred in October of 2020.
Other Notable Achievements & Moments
- HEC, Inc. hosts a 175th B & O Celebration
- Funded “Welcome To Historic Ellicott City Signs”. These signs are placed at either end of town. With a $5,000 donation from HEC, Inc.
- Howard County now takes over the Log Cabin and the Old Courthouse/ Heritage Orientation Center formerly run by HEC, Inc. The Heritage Orientation Center washed away in the 2018 flood.
- Howard County takes over the Baltimore B & O Museum. By 2006 we turn over management of the train station museum to the B & O and Howard County.
- HEC Contributes to the Preservation of The Ellicott Family Papers. HEC, Inc. gives a $5,000 gift to the Howard County Historical Society as a Clark Family Memorial Gift to restore and preserve the Ellicott Family papers found in a New Jersey attic.
Mt. Gregory United Methodist Church Restoration
Mt. Gregory United Method Church, founded in 1870 becomes the first recipient of a newly developed grant program, receiving $10,000 for a new well and its connection to service an ADA addition to the existing church.
Historical Ellicott City Revitalization Grant Program
In 2017 HEC, Inc. began a partnership with Preservation Maryland for their administration of this program, which was designed after the flood of 2016 to help revitalize the town. The following recipients have benefitted since the award program began in 2017:
- Patapsco Heritage Greenway: Façade Improvement to their office building on Tonge Row. $10,000
- Howard County Historical Society: Restoration of the Quaker Schoolhouse, exterior repairs, and future conversion to children’s museum. $10,000
- Ellicott City Historic District Partnership: Signage. $464
- Howard County Parks and Recreation: B & O Museum Interpretive Panels. $2,031
- St. Luke AME Church: Exterior Painting. $3,580
- Preservation Maryland: Signage $250
- Old Stone Tavern (Forget-me-not-Factory): Flood proof doors $10,000
- Patapsco Heritage Greenway: EC250 Anniversary Video 10,000
- Howard County Historical Society: Roof repairs $1,450
- Painting of the railroad bridge at the entrance to Ellicott City: $2,000
The Campaign for Carrollton Hall Restoration
This campaign sought to completely restore Carrollton Hall, which was the home built by Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence for his granddaughter Emily Caton McTavish. This home is located on the grounds of Franciscan Friary in Ellicott City. HEC, Inc. donated $135, 000 towards this effort.
Production of a Bound Compilation of Heritage
A decision is made to compile and bind our newsletter “Heritage” edited for the most part by Enalee Bounds for the years 1974-1988, its final year of publication. With the generous discounts provided by the Outer Office in Fulton, Maryland and Potomac Bookbinding & Restoration Lab in Rockville, Maryland the bound volume is placed in every public school in Howard County and in each public library.
Bronze Plaque Program
HEC’s Bronze Plaque Program begins, with over 25 plaques sold to Main Street business with HEC, Inc. splitting the cost. Most remain today, although some were lost during 2016 and 2018 floods.
Other Notable Achievements & Moments
- Donation made to the Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club in honor of Joseph Clark.
- Murals at the Welcome Center Restored
- HEC, Inc. moves its headquarters into Mt. Ida. As a tenant with the Friends of the Patapsco Female Institute, HEC, Inc. begins some repair work. After many renovations and improvements, including new steps, Mt. Ida serves again as the 2013 Decorator Showhouse, as it had in 1995. A 19th Century baseball game is cosponsored with the Historical Society at this location.
- A donation of $5,000 made to the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation to restore the Petro Paul D’Anna Murals located at the old Post Office, now the Welcome Center.
Howard House Hotel
In November 2022 we celebrated with grant recipient, Ron Peters to unveil his spectacular restoration of the Howard House Hotel. HEC, Inc. was proud to help support Ron with a grant of $35,000. The Howard House now duplicates its stunning look from the 1850’s. History is indeed reborn.
HEC announced its 2020 Historic Ellicott City Revitalization Grant Program
With a focus on improving properties in the Historic District grants include the following:
- Surveillance camera network to monitor flooding: $5,174
- Painting of the exterior of 8050 Main Street: $1,700
- Attic Antiques window replacement: $7,587
- Main Street Oriental awing replacement: $1,000
- James Stewart Residence, circa 1800 window restoration of several windows: $9,935
Oakdale (34th Decorator Showhouse)
In 2022 we resumed our ever popular in person Decorator Showhouse with the largest property ever, Oakdale. This was our 34th Showhouse, and it was well attended and financially successful. Our Decorator Showhouses continue to be the most well-known achievement of our preservation efforts. Many historic property owners have received the benefit of our funding for repairs as well as hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours spent in the preparation, hosting and move-out of any showhouse. Without the re-imagining or period correct decoration of these lovely homes by a litany of our revered designers, the public would certainly have missed a great deal without this unique experience. We intend to continue this tradition as the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts, even though most other organizations have abandoned this method.
Other Notable Achievements & Moments
- We also continued to support the ongoing EC250 celebration by awarding $1250 to Howard County school students who participated in our essay contest and donated a copy of Heritage to the time Capsule buried in front of the Log Cabin.
- HEC, Inc. developed a selection of HEC themed merchandise such as puzzles, mugs, tote bags and doormats, which then become available to purchase at local merchants and online. The Heritage was once again reprinted this time in a spiral bound format and offered for sale.
- Due to Covid restrictions we hosted a virtual Showhouse experience titled “Show Your House” which garnered hundreds of viewers.
The Next 50 Years
HEC, Inc. is continually looking for houses to serve as our next Showhouse. We are investigating some neglected buildings in Old Ellicott City and look forward to partnerships with other preservation groups in Howard County to muster the forces to ensure this end. We continue to reach out to the community to teach our younger generation about the wonderful town and County in which they live. Join us in this effort, there is always so much to learn from our past, help us write the next chapter.
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.