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Historic Preservation
The City of Rockville has a long and rich history as the political, cultural, and economic center of Montgomery County. With more than 250 years of growth as a community, Rockville is home to many historically and culturally significant sites. The City's Historic Preservation Office manages designated historic resources through its five-member volunteer Historic District Commission. The commission is supported by staff in the City's Department of Community Planning and Development Services. For questions concerning Rockville's historic resources, call 240-314-8230 or e-mail history@rockvillemd.gov or HistoricDistrict@rockvillemd.gov.
| Rockville's History in Video |
| Watch these short videos featuring some of the city's historic locations and commemorative events. |
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| Women Who Dared: Walking Tour With Peerless Rockville Learn about the famous women in Rockville's history. |
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| Pump House Renovation See the changes coming to the city's historic pump house. |
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| Farewell Silver Maple One of the city's oldest trees is removed after damage in a severe storm. |
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| 1860's Baseball With Peerless Rockville Enjoy America's pastime as it was in the beginning |
Historic District Commission
Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Staff Reports
Rules of Procedure (.pdf)
Historic Districts
Site Histories
Inventory of Properties in Historic Districts
Rockville Park National Register nomination
Take a Walking Tour and Explore Rockville
Take a Walking Tour of Rockville's African American Heritage
Rockville Cemetery: Spend an Hour or Two Among the Tombs
Historic District Designation
Historic District Eligibility Information
Historic District Designation Process
Historic Designation Criteria Checklist
Historic Designation Nomination Form (.pdf)
Historic Designation Process Flowchart
Evaluation of Historic Significance for Demolition
Tax Benefit Information
Historic Preservation Tax Credit Information
Summary Chart of Tax Credit Programs
Tax Credit Procedures
Guide to Permitting and Tax Credits
Alterations to Historic Buildings
Architectural Design Guidelines -- Adopted 1977
Certificate of Approval Process
Certificate of Approval Application Form (.pdf)
Guide to Permitting and Approvals
Technical Guides for Exterior Alterations
Review Procedures for Demolition Requests (.pdf)
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
Take a Historic Walking Tour and Explore Historic Rockville
Watch a short video on a Women's History walking tour led by Peerless Rockville.
Rockville: Portrait of a City - Book Order Form (.pdf)
Recommended Architectural Design Guidelines for the Exterior Rehabilitation of Buildings
Lincoln Park Coloring Book (.pdf)
"The Sesquicentennial of Rockville: Local Government at 150 Years" is available for purchase at City Hall, Lincoln Park Community Center, Thomas Farm Community Center and Twinbrook Community Recreation Center. Copies of this commemorative book cost $5 each.
Local Preservation Organizations
Historic Preservation News
Rockville Remembers
Rockville Remembers is a program designed to let Rockville citizens honor their fellow citizens who have made a positive difference in our community. The contribution of the individual, business or organization must demonstrate concern for the community’s well-being and overall quality of life in the City.
Architectural Design Guidelines
These guidelines, adopted in 1977, contain detailed design standards and recommendations by which plans for rehabilitation and for new construction in the City's historic districts can be judged for harmony, compatibility, and appropriateness. The intent of these architectural guidelines is not to require particular architectural features or to dictate architectural style. Rather, it is to identify a range of design options which will encourage development that is compatible with the existing character of the Rockville historic districts.
Chestnut Lodge Design Guidelines
Design Guidelines for the Chestnut Lodge property at 500 West Montgomery Avenue were prepared by the Historic Preservation Staff and adopted by the Mayor and Council on May 24, 2004. The purpose of the design guidelines is to guide exterior alterations to historic buildings within the historic areas of the Chestnut Lodge site so that historical, architectural, and environmental features that are the basis of the site’s significance to the City are identified and preserved.
Lincoln Park Community Preservation Project
Lincoln Park is one of the greatest traditional neighborhoods that serve as a significant link to Rockville's past.
Rockville Cemetery Design Guidelines
Design guidelines have been prepared by the historic preservation staff for the Rockville Cemetery property on Old Baltimore Road. The guidelines are intended to identify and describe the elements of character that contribute to the property’s significance; provide information to current and future owners on actions that are encouraged and discouraged, and assist them in planning maintenance and future improvements; and provide direction to the Historic District Commission and other City bodies in making decisions regarding proposed alterations.
Good News - Tax Credits for Historic Properties Returns
The Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust and provides Maryland income tax credits equal to 20 percentG of the qualified capital costs expended in the rehabilitation of a "certified heritage structure." The credit is available for owner-occupied residential property (homeowner) and income-producing property (commercial). Locally designated properties as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic Places may apply for the tax credits. The state review must occur prior to initiating any of the work in order to qualify for the tax credit.