Architecture in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties

About the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties 

The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Maryland Inventory) is Maryland’s official record of known archaeological and architectural resources.  Managed by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), the Maryland Inventory documents places that reflect the state’s history and cultural heritage, including data on tens of thousands of historic places that show how Marylanders have designed, built, and shaped their communities over time. 

 The Maryland Inventory helps MHT and its partners: 

• Create and maintain consistent records for each site, including where it is located and its key physical features
• Support planning and preservation decisions at the local and state levels 

Note: Including a property or site in the Maryland Inventory does not create legal restrictions on the use or dispensation of that property. The Maryland Inventory is a tool for planning and informational purposes and should not be used for regulatory purposes. 

Architecture in the Maryland Inventory 

The architectural component of the Maryland Inventory includes official survey records for historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects statewide, including: 

• Farmsteads, farmhouses, and barns
• Commercial and industrial buildings
• Schools, churches, and government buildings
• Bridges, monuments, and other engineered structures
• Historic neighborhoods and rural landscapes 

Maryland Inventory data on architectural properties is accessible to the public via the MHT Library and online via Medusa. 

Include a property in the Maryland Inventory 

All architectural surveys and documentation must follow MHT’s Standards and Guidelines for Architectural and Historical Investigations to be included in the Maryland Inventory. Anyone conducting an architectural survey – whether for local planning, academic research, or a preservation grant – can submit documentation for inclusion. MHT reviews and approves all submissions before adding new information to the Maryland Inventory. 

Follow these steps to add or update a property: 

1. Before you start

Contact the Architectural Survey Administrator to discuss your project and how best to proceed.  

2. Request a Maryland Inventory Number

• Email the Architectural Registrar with:
  • The name and street address of each property
  • A 7.5-minute USGS topographic map (1:24,000 scale) showing where each property is located
  • A zoomed-in map with the exact boundary of the survey area clearly marked

3. Complete the required forms.

Download and complete the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Architecture Form (Maryland Inventory Architecture Form). Before you begin, please carefully review the full instructions to complete the form, which can be found in Chapter 4 of the Standards & Guidelines for Architectural & Historical Investigations in Maryland - PDF - 16.88 MB.  

All survey data must conform to the Standards & Guidelines for Architectural & Historical Investigations in Maryland, including the standards for digital photo submissions. 

4. Submit the forms

After filling out the form completely, be sure to use the Final Checklist for the Maryland Inventory Architecture Form to catch common errors, and make sure nothing is missing. Partial or incomplete forms will be returned for additional information and not accepted until they are complete.  

Submit the completed form and digital photographs to MHT. You must send both an electronic (Microsoft Word) and a hard copy with capsule summary, all appropriate photos, and maps to MHT.