May at 7328 Carroll Avenue

Historic Takoma celebrates Takoma Park's 40th House and Garden Tour, Pioneer to Present Day, Sunday, May 5. In our current window display we highlight traditions that have evolved over the years as we continue to feature noteworthy homes and neighborhoods.



Saturday, May 4, 2-4 PM - Historic Takoma hosts the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Coop Membership Meeting.

Wednesday, May 8, 7-9 PM - Historic Takoma "Culture Shift: Connecting with Nature" Series: The Campaign for the Brickyard Educational Farm by Sophia Maravell. Come early, space limited. FREE.

Thursday, May 16, 7-9 PM - Historic Takoma hosts the Takoma Women's Business Network, with a workshop entitled, "The TWBN Idea Swap." FREE.

Wednesday, May 22, 7-9 PM - Historic Takoma Home Renovation Series: Wine and cheese reception and presentation at 7:30 pm by Dave Martin, President of Allied Window of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dave will talk about the quality and benefits of Allied's "invisible" storm windows. Historic Takoma will provide information on tax credits to historic district residents for storm window installation. FREE.

Also of Interest:

Through June 7 - "Images of Takoma Park" from the archives of Historic Takoma hosted by Montgomery College (Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus). The Cultural Arts Center Gallery, 7995 Georgia Avenue. Exhibit on display, Mon-Fri, 8 am-4 pm, and during performances. FREE.

Saturday, May 11, 4 PM - Explore Takoma: Ward 3. Pick up a map at the City parking lot in Takoma Junction (next to the Co-op), enjoy an easy, self-guided one hour walking tour with signs displayed at several historic landmarks in Ward Three. Tour ends at Opal Daniels Park with a picnic honoring Kay Daniels-Cohen, our Ward 3 council member, at 5:15 pm. Joint event sponsored by Historic Takoma and Takoma United with a grant from the Takoma Foundation. FREE.

Saturday, May 18, 7:30 PM - Byline: Ernie Pyle, Dispatches from WWII. Local actor Steve LaRocque channels the famous World War II correspondent in this one-act play. Pyle reported the war as seen by the men on the battlefield, unitl his death on the job in 1944. Part of "We Are Takoma" in the Community Center Auditorium. FREE.

Historic Takoma takes Center Stage
at the Junction

Books from Historic Takoma

Takoma Park: Portrait of a Victorian Suburb

In 1999, Historic Takoma reprinted the 1984 book Takoma Park: A Portrait of a Victorian Suburb by Ellen R. Marsh and Mary Anne O'Boyle, which contains a wealth of information and images about Takoma Park.

Images of America: Takoma Park

This book traces the history of Takoma Park, MD and DC from the arrival of B.F. Gilbert in 1883 to the current day.

Copies can be purchased directly from Historic Takoma.

City Signs MOU with SHA
on MD 410 Maintenance

Work Begins on MD 410
New Citizens Association Formed

On Feb. 26 the City executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maryland State Highway Administration regarding the maintenance of MD State Route 410 through the city limits. The MOU calls for the State to assume full responsibility for all MD 410 maintenance, including repaving, signalization, signage, and landscaping. Prior to any work commencing, the City will be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed plans. The full text of the MOU can be found on the City's website, http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/. On March 20, the SHA announced plans to repave and rehabilitate the section of MD 410 from New Hampshire Avenue to Park Avenue. The work is expected to be completed by late summer of 2013.

In response to the signing of the MOU and the commencement of work on MD 410, a new MD 410 Citizens Association announced its creation to represent the interests of the approximately 200 owners of residential property bordering MD 410 from New Hampshire Avenue to Chicago Avenue. The mission of the new CA is "to preserve the character of MD 410 in Takoma Park as a residential street." Residents whose properties border MD 410 (front, rear, or side) are eligible to join the MD 410 Citizens Association, and may become a member by sending an e-mail to md410citizensassociationmembers@googlegroups.com. Historic Takoma is serving as the financial sponsor for the new MD 410 Citizens Association.

The City signed the MOU with SHA despite serious concerns raised by HTI over the content and wording of the agreement. The MOU includes provisions that would:

  1. allow SHA to make sidewalk, signage, and other changes to MD 410 within the City's Historic District without any regard for historic preservation protections
  2. give SHA "sole and absolute discretion" to locate signage beyond the existing curb line of MD 410
  3. give SHA unlimited access to the right-of-way between the curb and private property lines to make physical changes even if the the City raises concerns or objections about SHA's plans
  4. not allow the city sufficient time to review and comment on proposed SHA plans. HTI's proposed edits to the terms and conditions addressed these deficiencies.

In a separate action, the Council endorsed draft State legislation that would restrict the State's ability to construct a new through lane on Rt. 410 for motorized vehicles. As written the language would allow for other forms of road widening along Rt. 410, including side and center turn lanes, shoulders, bus bays, and breakdown lanes. HTI opposes the widening of Rt. 410 for any reason and offered alternative language that broadened the restrictions on future lane widening proposals. The draft legislation died in committee in the last session of the State legislature when the State delegate from Prince George's County, who chaired the committee, blocked it from moving forward.

HTI remains concerned about the potential adverse consequences of the MOU and possible future State legislation, and will monitor developments in this matter.