MAHDC believes that it is important that Maryland's historic preservation commissions be sufficiently equipped to fulfill their statutory roles and their educational functions. To this effect, MAHDC has compiled a number of useful materials in our library for distribution.

One important document that is available to our membership is the Maryland Historic Preservation Commissions Handbook. The Handbook, crafted in 1997, is a a collection of information essential to the work of Historic District Commissions, including basic design guidelines, information on meeting procedures, preservation law, etc. While the handbook is available to MAHDC commissions only, the table of contents provides a preview of what the full document has to offer.  

Download MAHDC Handbook Table of Contents. The complete handbook is available upon request to members.

In addition to this manual, The MAHDC provides a full range of materials to assist local commissions in doing their jobs. These materials include:

Renovator’s Roundtable: a detailed education program for historic district commissions and owners of historic properties. Session topics include the following: technical information on historic roofs, windows, masonry and wood; routine maintenance; analysis of historic design and setting; and the historic district commission review process. Each of these eight presentations are available in slide format and can be obtained for presentation by local preservation groups.

Built by Design: a videotape program about the survey, education, and protection process for use by Historic District Commissions or communities considering a preservation ordinance.

Members may contact MAHDC for copies of these materials.

Other resource information includes:

Note: Download Links for these materials are active after you login to the site. If you are a member, please login to download these documents.

• A letter to George: How to Keep the Preservation Commission out of Court and to Avoid Being Sued by Robert E. Stipe
• Iowa's Certified Local Government Program: How to Apply and Maintain CLG Status, A program of the State Historical Society of Iowa
• MAHDC's Guide to Drafting a Commission Motion
• Why Say No to Vinyl Windows, a publication of the Landmarks Advisory Commission, Abany, Oregon
• Law and the Historic Preservation Commission - What Every Commission Needs to Know by James Reap and Melvin Hill, National Park Service
• What Replacement Windows Cant Replace: The Real Cost of Replacing Windows by Walter Sedovic and Jill Gotthelf