These guidelines are designed to provide property owners with assistance on how to maintain or rehabilitate their historic buildings. The guidelines outline appropriate treatment methods and offer practical suggestions on rehabilitation. Recognizing that change is inevitable, the guidelines do not seek nor encourage the strict replication of the past. Rather, this document's goal is to ensure that change is compatible with the Frederick Town Historic District's unique character.
Established in 1745 as a speculative land venture, Frederick has evolved over the years from a small, frontier settlement, to the second largest city in the State of Maryland. Two and a half centuries of growth has turned the City into an important regional center for commerce and industry as well as a convenient commuter location for those working in Washington, DC and Baltimore. Remarkably, because most growth has occurred within the 340 lots originally platted by Daniel Dulany, the Frederick Town Historic District remains relatively intact today and constitutes the largest, contiguous collection of historic resources in the state. As a result, the Frederick Town Historic District contains a broad spectrum of architectural styles that reflect our country’s built history.
In 1741 Daniel Dulany the Elder, an Annapolis lawyer and proprietary official, bought approximately 20,000 acres from Benjamin Tasker. Mr. Dulany sought to resell the land to German settlers. Using a portion of his extensive land holdings, Mr. Dulany created 340 lots along a grid plan. When Mr. Dulany sold these parcels, he stipulated that buyers improve properties by erecting structures within a specified period. After three years the town was so successfully developed that Frederick Town became the county seat for the newly created Frederick County. This act was significant because at the time Frederick County encompassed all of the area west of present Baltimore and Howard Counties to the east to the Maryland border to the west. By the end of the eighteenth century, the City's population had reached 2,606. There were 449 house, seven churches, two markets and numerous schools. Throughout most of the nineteenth century, Frederick Town was the second largest city (Baltimore being the largest) in Maryland.
Frederick Town was home to a number of citizens who played important and influential roles during the early years of the nation's development. In 1773 John Hanson established residency on West Patrick Street. He went on to chair the Second Continental Congress as President of the United States Congress Assembled in 1781. In 1801, Roger Brooke Taney moved to Frederick and established a law practice. He shared law offices at 104 Court Street (which is still standing) with his brother-in-law Francis Scott Key, author of the "Star Spangled Banner". Over the next 21 years, Mr. Taney was a major political force before becoming Maryland's Attorney General and eventually Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. While serving as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Taney administered the oath of office to seven presidents-elect, including Abraham Lincoln. Several important Supreme Court decisions were rendered under his tenure including the Dred Scott decision, which declared slaves ineligible for American citizenship and set aside the Missouri Compromise. Maryland's first elected governor, Thomas Johnson, was also a Frederick resident.
Due to its strategic location at the crossroads of major Native American and early transportation routes, Frederick developed into a regional market center. A turnpike connecting Baltimore with the National Pike in Cumberland passed through the town along Patrick Street. A north-south route linking Gettysburg to Washington, DC also intersected the turnpike in Frederick. The burgeoning rail industry made its home in Frederick when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built a freight depot (Carroll and East All Saints Streets) in the City in 1832. The original passenger station, constructed in 1854, remains today on the southeast corner of South Market and East All Saints Streets.
Frederick played an important role during the Civil War. Several times throughout the war, both Union and Confederate troops marched through the City. Because Confederate sympathies ran high in Annapolis, Frederick was selected as the site for the spring, 1861 session of the Maryland Assembly. During the session, which was held in Kemp Hall (on the corner of North Market and East Church Streets), the state legislature voted to remain in the Union. Churches, public buildings, and private residences were converted into makeshift hospitals for Union and Confederate armies following both the Battles of Antietam and the Monocacy. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier immortalized Frederick resident Barbara Fritchie for her purported public defiance of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.
Industrial and commercial development accelerated after the end of the Civil War and continued into the early twentieth century. Cheap labor, locally available raw materials, and access to major markets made Frederick an attractive location for a variety of industries. Several examples of industrial architecture remain along the District's eastern and southeastern boundaries; however, few pre-twentieth century industrial buildings remain.
The City continued to prosper and grow during the early part of the 20th century. Because growth was limited within Daniel Dulany's original subdivision, new residential development took place outside the boundaries. As a result of limited demolition, the City's historic core remains largely intact. In places where demolition did occur, a few early 20th century commercial structures were constructed, particularly along Market and Patrick Streets.
Recognizing the importance of preserving the built past, the State of Maryland passed legislation in 1968 that enabled communities from across the state to create regulatory historic districts. The legislation also established review bodies and procedures for preserving buildings in those historic districts. Prior to the enactment of state enabling legislation, the City of Frederick recognized the need to preserve the City's rich building stock. As early as 1954, the Frederick City Charter included provisions directed toward historic preservation by establishing an historic district and an advisory commission. In 1954 Frederick become the second city in Maryland and the thirteenth in the nation to establish a local historic district and organize a historic district commission responsible for protecting its architectural heritage. Because of the City's careful stewardship of its built past, Frederick enjoys the largest, contiguous historic district in Maryland.
Despite the rich concentration of historic properties located within the District, the neighborhood is facing increased development pressures as we enter the 21st century. These guidelines will be used as a tool for guiding development while encouraging the reuse of the District’s historic building stock as the City of Frederick grows and evolves.
The Frederick Town Historic District offers a unique collection of building types and styles that span the cultural and architectural history of not just the state of Maryland but also the nation as a whole. Covering about 40 square blocks, the Historic District provides residents and visitors alike with a glimpse of the past. Because replacement is impossible, it is important to preserve and protect the broad collection of buildings that comprise the District for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. The historic and architecturally significant buildings that comprise the Frederick Town Historic District contribute to a sense of place and help make Frederick a unique place to live and visit.
To accomplish the goals set forth in state legislation and to safeguard the City's built heritage, the Frederick Historic District Commission (HDC) was created. The goals outlined in the state enabling legislation are “to safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving sites, structures or districts which reflect elements of cultural, social economic, political, archeological or architectural history; stabilize and improve property values of such sites, structures or districts; foster civic beauty; strengthen the local economy; and promote the preservation and appreciation of sites, structures and districts for the education and welfare of the residents of the City.” The Commission is comprised of members from the community who have backgrounds in architecture and architectural history, design, history and other related fields, and an interest in the District. Commission members have a deep concern for the District's continued preservation and viability. The eight members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen. The Commission's primary responsibility is to review all exterior changes to any property located within the Historic District. Even if the proposed improvement is not visible from a public right-of-way or alley, the Commission must review the proposal before owners may start any work. In other words, even improvements made to the rears of structures need the HDC's prior approval.
The HDC reviews the following:
All exterior changes including but not limited to:
· Abrasive cleaning methods including high pressure water cleaning and chemical cleaning
· Additions
· Alterations
· Awnings and canopies
· Entrances and doors
· Painting previously unpainted buildings
· Porches and fences
· Rehabilitation
· Siding
· Signage
· Window replacement
· Demolition of entire or parts of buildings
New construction including but not limited to:
· New additions to buildings
· New buildings
· Fences
· Mechanical equipment (including but not limited to antennas, satellite dishes and cable and utility boxes)
· Porches
· Storm windows
· Walls
General maintenance that does not require a replacement or change in material, interior work, and repainting previously painted buildings do not need to be reviewed by the Historic District Commission. Paint color is not reviewed, nor is replacement in-kind (if the element or feature in need of replacement already complies with the Guidelines).
The Commission reviews all exterior changes to District properties regardless of whether or not the proposed changes are visible from a public way. Depending on the nature of the project and its impact on the historic resource, the Commission might exercise a certain degree of flexibility when reviewing such proposals. The City's Historic Preservation Planner can provide assistance on the review process.
Because of the area's historic designation, a design review process has been established to ensure that the buildings do not fall into decay, and to protect the qualities that make the District unique. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide guidance on the appropriate techniques for the rehabilitation of existing buildings, and direction for compatible new infill construction. They provide the Commission with a basis for decision-making. They are to be used as the foundation and springboard for action taken by the Commission. The guidelines recognize that change is inevitable and recommend approaches that are appropriate to the District's unique character. The Commission uses these guidelines and applies the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation when determining whether or not an improvement is appropriate to both a building and the District as a whole.
The guidelines were created to assist residential and commercial property owners and tenants with making appropriate alterations to their historic properties. By using the guidelines, property owners in the Historic District will learn which treatments are appropriate and which actions will be approved by the HDC. The end goal is to provide property owners with a tool for properly caring for their historic properties.
One of the many benefits of the District's historic designation is the availability of tax credits. Both the federal government and the state of Maryland offer tax credits to assist property owners with the rehabilitation of their historic buildings. Rehabilitation must be completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, enabling owners of income producing properties to be eligible for a 20% federal income tax credit. Homeowners and owners of income producing properties could be eligible for a 25% state income tax credit. Chapter XX provides more details on these tax programs. Contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1499 for additional information on these and other tax incentives.
The City of Frederick has professional staff available to answer questions and provide assistance on all aspects of the review and permitting process. For this reason, it is highly recommended to contact the City of Frederick Planning Department before undertaking any project. This will ensure that resources are not unnecessarily expended and approvals are obtained as efficiently as possible. For specific information on materials, please call the Planning Department at 301.600.1499 for a copy of the National Park Service Preservation Brief pertaining to your particular need. The Preservation Briefs are also available through the National Park Service’s website at www.nps.gov. If additional information is needed regarding zoning requirements, please refer to the City of Frederick Zoning Ordinance, which can be obtained through the Planning Department.
Before undertaking any exterior work, including new construction, demolition or rehabilitation of any existing building, HDC approval is required. In order to preserve the defining character of our unique historic district, the cooperation of all property owners in the review process is essential.
The HDC reviews the project plans and makes recommendations for approval or disapproval based on these guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Ultimately, the Commission issues a Certificate of Approval, which is needed before a building permit can be granted or work can begin.
The ordinance creating the HDC requires the Commission to adopt standards to guide decision-making. The Commission has adopted the Secretary of the Interior's Standards (a copy of which is included in the Appendix) as the basis for approving or disapproving proposed changes. When using this manual, it is important to keep in mind that the Secretary's Standards emphasize three basic principles. Depending on the degree of intervention that is required, the principles, starting with the least intrusive, are as follows:
· All character-defining elements should be properly maintained.
· If repair becomes necessary, only those elements in need of repair should be repaired
· If replacement (which should be considered the last course of action) is required, the replacement material should match as closely as possible the original element. If no historical, pictorial or physical documentation exists and the features are missing, they should be replaced with contemporary but compatible elements. The goal is to allow and accommodate appropriate and compatible changes that are necessary for modern needs without creating a false history or one that is based on conjecture.
Removing defining elements, radically altering the building or introducing elements that cannot be documented historically is not appropriate.
Installing an element that is thought to have been original to the building without the proper documentation could create a false sense of history. For example, if a building is missing its cornice and no documentation exists to support its reconstruction, it would be inappropriate to install a new "historic" cornice.
Contemporary yet compatible designs and alterations are the appropriate approach to handling missing elements.
Similarly, some spaces were historically designed to remain open so that views and site lines can be maintained. For those properties whose significance is derived from the open space that surrounds them, these open areas should be maintained and preserved.
At Commission hearings, the HDC formally takes action on a proposal. However, in order for the Commission to take action, the applicant must be present at the meeting. Failure to appear will result in delays with your project.
Action includes:
· Approval as presented
· Approval with modifications
· Continuation of an application (in cases where insufficient information is provided or the applicant and the Commission mutually agree to continue the case. If neither party agrees to a continuance, the Commission must act -- either to approve or deny the proposal.)
· Denial
As stated in the state enabling legislation, the HDC has 45 days from the date a completed application is filed to take formal action. For this reason, it is imperative that all required information is submitted in a timely manner. Failure to provide such information could result in denial of your project.
Upon approving a proposal, the Commission issues a Certificate of Approval, which is required before any permits can be obtained. Permits will not be issued unless a Certificate of
Approval accompanies the permit application.
If an application is denied, the applicant has two options: to appeal the HDC's decision to the circuit court or to wait a year before resubmitting the same proposal
The Certificate of Approval is good for one year. The applicant has one year from the date of the issuance of the Certificate of Approval to commence work. If the expiration date has expired before work has started, the applicant must resubmit to the HDC for approval.
The HDC meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in First Floor Boardroom in City Hall. All meetings are advertised and open to the public. In addition to the regularly scheduled HDC hearings, the Commission also meets once a month to review proposed new signs and to hold informal workshop sessions. At the Sign Committee meeting, the Commission will make suggestions and provide guidance on proposals. The Sign Committee will make recommendations to approve or not approved proposed signage to the full Commission. Formal action (approval, approval with modifications or denial) is taken at the regularly scheduled HDC hearing.
The Workshop provides applicants with the perfect opportunity for Commission feedback and suggestions. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Workshop prior to appearing at the formal HDC hearing. This way, applicants will not spend time and money unnecessarily on proposals that might not be approved by the Commission. No formal action is taken at the Workshop meetings. Applicants should be aware that the Commission might require additional information at the Workshop. This supplemental material must be provided prior to appearing at the regular hearing. In order to adequately assess a project, the Commission might also require attendance at several Workshop sessions before the project can proceed to the regular public hearing.
Both Sign Committee and Workshop meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month. Contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1499 for specific meeting dates and times.
To be considered for review, a completed application (along with 15 copies of the application), supporting documentation and application fees, must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Planner no later than 3:00 p.m. on the date of the previous, regularly scheduled public hearing. Failure to provide all required documentation will result in delays in scheduling the project for review. (Copies of the completed application are provided to each of the 8 Commissioners, the Director of Planning, the Historic Preservation Planner, the Commission's attorney, two copies for the press, the Aldermanic liaison between the HDC and Mayor and Board of Aldermen, and a copy for availability to the public.)
For information on the review and application process and to obtain a schedule of upcoming Commission meetings and hearings, contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1499.
The Frederick Town Historic District streetscape reflects significant trends and concepts of urban planning. Laid out in 1745, the essential pattern of development in Frederick was well established by the early 19th century, and as a result, the streetscape in the Historic District is representative of a 19th century urban environment.
The street plan conforms to the rectangular grid shown on the original 1745 plat. Market Street is a central north-south thoroughfare, with parallel streets from East Street to Bentz Street, intersected by east-west streets from South Street to Seventh Street. The blocks were laid out into residential lots, with a small reservation for open space in the courthouse square. These lots were subdivided in depth and width as the city grew, and a network of mid-block streets and alleys emerged. Lots fronting on Market Street were created in response to commercial growth.
Consistent with the urban nature of the community, most of the buildings are attached to each other and front directly on the sidewalk. A historic pattern of infill development is evident in the varying roof heights and building styles that characterize most of the blocks. A few of the most prominent residential buildings are set back slightly from the sidewalk, with small front yards, sometimes enclosed with iron fencing. Street trees, a characteristic feature of mid-19th century urban environments, continue to shade the sidewalks; however, other plantings are generally absent. Brick-paved sidewalks survive in several areas, as does granite curbing. Front steps and porches project from the facade plane onto the sidewalks; and steps are typically flanked by iron railings. Service buildings and garages are located on the interiors of the blocks. Rear yards are often enclosed with board fences or brick walls.
The streetscape remains generally unbroken by mid-20th century intrusions. Thanks in part to an early awareness of its unique heritage, the City fortunately escaped extensive redevelopment during the 1950's and early 60's, an era when the value of historic resources was not yet widely recognized. There are few visible effects of automobile-related commerce, such as mid-block intersections, driveways, and parking lots. The city's major parking structures are located in the interiors of blocks, where they are effectively screened by existing buildings.
Both new additions and demolitions to existing structures will be evaluated on how they impact the streetscape. Please refer to the chapters on new construction and demolition for additional guidance on these issues.
The unique identity of the Historic District derives from the character of its buildings that offer visual interest and variety within a generally consistent collection of building elements. Historically, a building's design reflected its location and siting on its lot. The elevations facing a street were more elaborately designed and used richer, more decorative detailing.
Based on its location on the building (i.e. street level versus uppermost floor), there was a hierarchy of materials and design used for specific building elements. For these reasons, the Commission will exercise a certain degree of flexibility when considering appropriate treatment methods. Those elements that contribute to a building's overall significance will be more carefully scrutinized than those of lesser significance.
When rehabilitating an existing building in the District, the character defining elements (those building features that make the structure unique and different from other buildings, are characteristic elements of a particular architectural style, technique or architect, or are important in giving a building its unique identity) should be identified, retained and preserved, according to the general guidelines below.
Much of the special character of the historic buildings was achieved through the use of traditional materials and construction techniques. Although new materials and methods can be successfully used in rehabilitation and infill development, every effort should be made to preserve the original character of the District's buildings. This means preserving, repairing and maintaining the original materials where possible, and when replacement is necessary, selecting appropriate new materials that are compatible in quality, size, texture and color.
Even though a few wood frame and log buildings are found in the Frederick Town Historic District, the vast majority of buildings are masonry (brick, stone, stucco and terra cotta). The most common masonry material employed in the District is brick and it appears in a wide variety of colors and types. Stone ranges from the irregular rubble used in the foundations and walls of some of the District's earliest houses to finely dressed limestone facades of early 20th century commercial buildings. A few structures employ an exterior coating of plaster or stucco over brick and some have terra cotta ornamentation. For specific details on masonry repair, consult the appropriate National Park Service Preservation Brief, a copy of which can be obtained at the Planning Department.
· Masonry features that are important in defining the building’s overall character should be identified, retained and preserved. Such elements include but are not limited to walls, cornices, hoodmolds, columns, door pediments, joints and bonding patterns.
· Character-defining masonry elements should be repaired rather than replaced. If replacement becomes necessary, the original should be replicated, matching the original design and materials as closely as possible.
· To prevent water penetration, masonry buildings should be carefully maintained. Water penetration can cause serious and potentially costly damage to masonry either through freezing inside the walls or by causing destructive chemical reactions. For these reasons, it is important to keep roof, flashing, drains, gutters and downspouts in good repair.
· Painting previously unpainted masonry structures or applying stucco and concrete veneers such as Formstone to previously uncoated structures is not appropriate and will not be approved. The application of these materials damages the historic building by altering its character, and such materials are difficult to remove.
· The masonry of pre-20th century buildings was low fired and porous, and therefore was frequently painted. For this reason, removing paint from a building that has been historically painted is not appropriate.
· Buildings constructed prior to about 1910 did not use Portland cement. When repointing becomes necessary, make sure the mortar is lime based and not Portland cement. To find out if there is lime in the mortar, simply remove a loose piece of mortar from an inconspicuous location. Soak the mortar in water. If the mortar softens and crumbles under pressure, it contains lime. If it softens but does not crack, it has Portland cement. The building might have been repointed a number of times and quite possibly with the wrong mortar. For this reason a number of samples might need to be collected from various locations on the building. To make a mortar appropriate for historic buildings, mix: 1 part hydrated lime with 2 parts by volume sand of historic color and enough water for a workable mix.
· Generally, the use of a high lime mortar is recommended for nearly all repointing projects. However, to improve workability and drying, the recipe can be modified with some white Portland cement. Take care that the Portland content does not exceed 20% of the volume of lime and cement combined. Portland cement should be white, never gray or light gray. The color of the new mortar should match that of the existing. See Preservation Brief 2, which is available on-line at www.nps.gov. and in the Planning Department, for additional guidance on how to properly repoint historic masonry.
· Masonry should only be cleaned to arrest deterioration or to remove severe soiling. If it is determined that masonry needs to be cleaned, the gentlest methods possible should be used. Appropriate methods include low-pressure water with soft bristle brushes and mild detergents. Before undertaking the cleaning of any masonry surface, a test patch should be conducted to determine which cleaning method is appropriate.
· Abrasive cleaning techniques such as sandblasting or strong chemical solutions are not appropriate and will not be approved. Such methods can severely damage the masonry surface. High-pressure washing is not an appropriate cleaning method because it can force water into the wall and cause deterioration to both the masonry and the mortar joints. All non-masonry surfaces should be protected prior to cleaning.
· If there is evidence of mortar deterioration, such as disintegrating mortar, cracks in joints, loose bricks, damp walls or damaged plasterwork, repointing might be necessary. Care should be taken to match the original color, material, composition and size and profile of the existing mortar joint as closely as possible.
· Hand tools should be used to remove damaged mortar. Because power tools often damage surrounding brick, their use will not be approved.
· Unless the original mortar contained a high Portland cement content, its use should otherwise be avoided. Portland cement creates a bond that is stronger than the historic mortar and therefore can cause spalling or cracking of the softer historic brick during freeze-thaw cycles.
· If historic masonry features such as door pediments, hoodmolds and the like are missing and no pictorial, historical or physical documentation exists, a new design that is contemporary yet compatible with the size, scale, material and color of the building is the appropriate approach. Recreating a feature without the proper documentation could create a false sense of history and will not be approved.
· Common Bond
· Plemish Bond
· Common Bond with Plenish Headers
· Concave Joint
· Weathered Joint
· Struck Joint
· Flush Joint
· Grapevine Joint
Although the majority of the buildings in Frederick Town are masonry, many wood structures can be found in the District. Such structures include some of the oldest log houses in the City as well as late 19th century wood frame buildings.
· All character-defining elements should be identified, retained and preserved. Such elements include but are not limited to clapboards and German siding, brackets, entablatures, porches, cornices, shutters and balustrades.
· Wood siding should be retained and repaired. If replacement becomes necessary, the new siding should match the original in terms of materials, size, profile and application.
· Proper maintenance and a regular painting schedule will ensure the longevity of wood doors, windows, siding and other character defining elements.
· Resurfacing frame structures with artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles and vinyl or aluminum siding is not appropriate. If a structure has been resurfaced with inappropriate materials, the Commission encourages their removal and the repair of the underlying surfaces. Before undertaking the removal of inappropriate siding materials, a test patch should be conducted to determine if the material could be removed.
· Aluminum and vinyl siding are not appropriate because they obscure character-defining elements; increase deterioration through rot (from moisture infiltration) and from fasteners, thereby making monitoring of the property difficult. The loss of those qualities that make the property unique reduces the property value. For these reasons, the installation of vinyl and aluminum siding is strongly discouraged. In certain circumstances, its use might be considered in new construction when it is used on a secondary elevation and not readily visible from the public way. In general, its installation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
· In cases where character-defining wood elements such as cornices, balustrades or German siding are missing, recreating those features would be appropriate if historical, pictorial or physical documentation exists. If no such documentation is available, a contemporary yet compatible approach in terms of materials, size, scale and color would be the appropriate solution.
· All wood members must be finished, either painted or stained with opaque stain.
The use of pressure treated lumber for repair and replacement pieces, when necessary, is not cost effective. In general, this material is of poor quality -- it has a high moisture content and because of the knots found in pressure treated lumber, it warps rapidly. As with other types of wood, it must be painted or stained to ensure its longevity.
Because it lasts longer than pressure treated wood, the Commission recommends the use of high quality wood for the construction of porches. The use of pressure treated lumber is not cost effective. In general, this material is of poor quality -- it has a high moisture content and because of the knots found in pressure treated lumber, it warps rapidly. No matter the type of wood used, the porch must be painted or stained within six months of construction. This will help ensure the porch’s longevity.
· Bevel siding
· Colonial siding
· German lap siding
Artificial siding should not be used under the following circumstances:
· Over masonry (brick, stone, stucco, terra cotta)
· Over unusual examples of historic siding including but not limited to German, lap, beveled and cove siding
· When the original wood siding is still functional
· When painted wood siding has failed due to poor surface preparation, incompatible paints, or lack of routine maintenance
· To achieve a "maintenance free" house
Many buildings in the Historic District employ decorative metal such as cast iron and sheet metal. At the turn of the 20th century, cast iron was primarily used at the commercial building's storefront level. Cast iron’s capacity to carry weight through the use of slender columns, thereby making massive masonry piers and posts unnecessary, made possible the use of vast expanses of glass to allow light into the ground floor and to entice pedestrians to purchase the wares on display. The modern design influences of the 1930s and 1940s introduced new metals such as porcelain steel, stainless steel and aluminum to the District.
· All character-defining metal components should be identified, retained and preserved. Such elements include but are not limited to cornices, fascias, columns, capitals, window hoods and storefronts.
·
Removal of character-defining metal elements will not
be approved. So doing not only destroys irreplaceable features but also exposes
previously unfinished surfaces that will need to be recovered.
· If metal needs to be repainted, completely remove all rust and loose, flaking and peeling paint. Sandblasting is not an appropriate paint removal method and will not be approved as it causes irreparable damage to the historic fabric. When repainting, the surface should be properly primed, taking care to use a primer compatible with the finish paint.
· Replacement of metal features is appropriate only if the original fabric is damaged beyond repair. Sheet metal made to conform to the profile of the existing work can be fabricated if replacement panels are needed. Intricate details can be reproduced in materials such as fiberglass.
· If the building has metal panels, caulk and fill the joints between the panels to avoid moisture penetration.
· Physical contact between chemically different materials should be avoided to prevent corrosion.
· In instances where character-defining metal elements such as cornices, window hoods, columns and the like are missing and no pictorial, historical or physical documentation exists, a contemporary yet compatible design in terms of materials, size, scale, and color would be the appropriate solution.
Because of its delicate nature, appropriate tools, materials and cleaning methods should be used. For additional information on metal, please refer to Preservation Brief 27.
The unique identity of the Frederick Town Historic District derives from the character of its buildings that offer visual interest and variety within a generally consistent collection of building elements. These elements include features such as windows and shutters, porches, roofs, and cornices.
A window is a glazed opening in the wall of a building that was historically used to admit light and air. It is usually fitted with a frame that supports one or more operable or fixed sash containing panes of glass.
· All existing window assemblies should be preserved, with their defining elements repaired rather than replaced.
· The functional and decorative features of the windows that help define the building's historic character should be identified, retained and preserved. These features include but are not limited to frames, sash, muntins, glazing, sills, heads, hoodmolds, lintels, and paneled or decorated jambs and moldings.