Continuing Our Journey: Discovering the Past Through Today’s Historic Restorations

This summer, we've been on an exciting adventure, diving into the rich history that makes Sykesville so special. From exploring historic landmarks to uncovering the stories that shaped our town, each stop on our tour has been a celebration of the past—and a glimpse into how we're preserving it for the future.

Our journey kicked off in July with a fascinating session titled “What is Preservation?” led by Christiana Limniatis from Preservation Maryland. We explored the historic Sykesville Town House, learning all about the importance of preserving the unique character of our community. It was a fantastic start to our summer of discovery!

Then, in August, we took a deep dive into Sykesville’s industrial past with a tour of the B.F. Shriver Cannery Warehouse, guided by none other than Mayor Stacy Link. This hidden gem of a building showed us how repurposing historic sites can breathe new life into our town while keeping its history alive and well.

Now, we’re ready for the next chapter in our adventure—and we want you to be part of it! On August 24th at 3 PM, we'll be meeting on the lawn of the Sykesville Townhouse (7547 Main Street) to explore two beautifully restored historic buildings in our charming downtown. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this! Missed our last events? No worries! You can catch up by checking out our previous presentation here:

What's in Store:

Get ready to be wowed by Fred Gossage, the property owner and restoration mastermind, as he takes us on a guided tour through these remarkable buildings. Fred’s got some amazing stories to share about the restoration process, the façade improvement program, and what it’s really like to work within the historic district guidelines. Spoiler alert: it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it!

Here’s the Plan:

• Guided Tour of Two Restored Historic Buildings
• Behind-the-Scenes Stories from Fred Gossage
• All About the Façade Improvement Program
• Challenges and Triumphs of Historic District Restoration

This tour is your chance to see history in action—and to appreciate the dedication it takes to keep Sykesville’s story alive for generations to come.

Where to Meet: We'll kick things off on the Sykesville Townhouse lawn at 7547 Main Street. Make sure to arrive a bit earlier than 3pm so you don't miss a thing!

We Can’t Wait to See You!

For more info, drop us a line at [email protected]. See you there!