Frederick County, Maryland is the place to visit!

I used to live in Frederick County and it has deep historic roots. Below is some great news!

Frederick, Maryland – With a past deeply rooted in history and a downtown renaissance underway, it’s no surprise that Middletown, Maryland was selected as one of five cities to receive the Main Street Maryland designation last year. But for those not keeping track, the bigger surprise might be that Frederick County is home to over 20% of the Main Street Maryland communities in the state.

May is National Preservation Month and Frederick County shines as an example of an area that promotes and protects historic resources. “Of all the counties in Maryland, Frederick is proud to have the largest number of Main Street Maryland communities within its boundaries,” says John Fieseler, Executive Director for Tourism Council of Frederick County. Five cities within the county - Brunswick, Frederick, Middletown, Mt. Airy (shared boundaries with Carroll County), and Thurmont - are designated Main Street Maryland communities for their historic significance and commitment to fostering a thriving downtown.

As a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street Maryland encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation. “The program recognizes and assists communities that are committed to their heritage and strengthening their traditional downtown area,” explained Amy Seitz, the Director of Community Access & Partnership for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. According to Seitz, “In Main Street communities, visitors can expect to find a pedestrian-friendly historic downtown with distinctive architecture, locally owned shops and restaurants, and a sense of community.”

“The number of cities holding the Main Street Maryland designation in Frederick County is a reminder of the incredibly rich historic resources in the area,” says Fieseler. Downtown Frederick received the top honor in this program and was honored as a Great American Main Street in 2005 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“Frederick County’s Main Street communities are not only committed to preserving their history and heritage, they provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience and showcase some of our best attractions,” says Fieseler. “Within these cities you can find unique shopping and antiquing opportunities, a vibrant arts community, distinctive architecture, and fine restaurants and cafes.” They are also hosts to the many community events and heritage celebrations in the county, including street festivals, music performances, special events, tours, and family activities.

The Main Street Maryland program offers technical assistance to designated communities and also access to grants and funding sources sometimes not available to other cities. By having so many Main Street communities within Frederick County, more of these resources are directed back into Frederick County and help augment the efforts of volunteers and local governments working to preserve and promote these cities.

Main Street communities don’t just offer attractions for visitors; they prove to be areas where residents can find local jobs, goods and services, and entertainment close to home. “Historic preservation within these communities doesn’t just preserve buildings, it preserves the excellent quality of life people in Frederick County have come to expect,” explains Fieseler.

“We see increased investment in Main Street communities,” says Seitz, who points to the economic statistics the state tracks to show the program’s success. “In Frederick County alone, 564 new jobs have been created within Main Street communities, private investment has topped $48,439,594 and over 24,217 volunteer hours have been accrued to help these communities thrive.” Additionally, a strong downtown helps stabilize home prices in surrounding residential neighborhoods, a clear benefit for residents and local governments in this economic downtown, says Seitz.

Another advantage of being a designated city is that Main Street communities have the opportunity to network with one another. According to Kara Norman, Executive Director of Frederick’s Main Street program, the Downtown Frederick Partnership, “It is a great way to learn new ideas, find out about new solutions and, sometimes more importantly, learn what not to do.” Collaboration is key to the success of these cities. “Best of all, the Main Street community is always willing to share information to help make all of the state’s downtowns better places to live, work, shop, and play.”

In Frederick County, Main Street communities are thriving downtowns that serve as anchoring destinations for residents and visitors alike. Visit one of Frederick County’s Main Street Maryland communities During National Preservation Month to discover the area’s rich heritage, architecture, and history.

To plan a visit to Frederick County, visit www.FrederickTourism.org or call (800) 999-3613. For more information about the Main Street Maryland program, visit http://www.neighborhoodrevitalization.org/Programs/MainStreet/MainStreet.aspx.

Main Street Maryland Communities in Frederick County
· Brunswick (Designated in 2004) - www.BrunswickMainStreet.org
· Frederick (Designated in 2001) - www.DowntownFrederick.org
· Middletown (Designated in 2008) - www.Middletown.md.us
· Mt. Airy (Designated in 2004) - www.MountAiryMD.org
· Thurmont (Designated in 2005) - www.ThurmontFirst.com/html/main_street.html

Special Events in Frederick County’s Main Street Communities During National Preservation Month in May

First Friday Night on the Town: Pet-A-Palooza
May 1, 5-9 pm
Downtown Brunswick, MD
Downtown Brunswick celebrates First Friday Night on the Town on the first Friday of each month from 5-9 p.m. with live entertainment, extended store hours, and more. Normally our First Friday’s are meant for the humans, but this time we’re all about man’s best friends. Not just dogs, but all pets. We will even have pet sitters available so you can still shop around downtown.
www.BrunswickMainStreet.org

Mayfest/May First Saturday
Saturday, May 2nd, 10am - 9pm
Downtown Frederick - Market, Patrick, Carroll, and Church Streets including Everedy Square & Shab Row
Enjoy free flowers, live music, children's activities and more throughout the day followed by exhibit openings, guest artists, and special activities in the evening.
www.downtownfrederick.org, 301-698-8118, mainstreet@downtownfrederick.org

Alive @ Five
Thursday, May 14th & 28th, 5 - 8pm
Downtown Frederick - Carroll Creek Amphitheatre
Outdoor happy hour featuring live music by regional-reggae favorite, Jah Works, on May 14 and indie rock music of Silent J on May 28! Enjoy beer, wine and food from downtown restaurants on the banks of beautiful Carroll Creek.
www.downtownfrederick.org, 301-698-8118, mainstreet@downtownfrederick.org