Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Architecture)

The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties 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 districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects 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

Information comes from both professional architectural historians and community survey projects conducted across Maryland’s counties and municipalities. 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 (Architecture)

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 MHT staff to discuss your project and how best to proceed.

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2. Gather background materials

Historic maps, photos, and deed research
Current photographs of the property or district
Previously completed survey forms and location information

3. Request a Maryland Inventory Number

Send a written request (email is fine) that includes:
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 property clearly marked
If you are not sure whether a number has already been assigned, discuss this with MHT before you start (step 1).

4. Complete the required forms.

Download and complete the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Architecture Form. Each form must include the property’s location, a description of the building, its history and importance, photos, and maps. Before you begin, please carefully review the full instructions to complete the form.

All survey data must conform to the Standards & Guidelines for Architectural & Historical Investigations in Maryland - PDF 16.88 MB, including the standards for digital photo submissions.

5. Submit the forms

After filling out the form completely, be sure to use the Final Checklist for the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties 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 Maryland Inventory form and all supporting materials to MHT. You must send both an electronic (Microsoft Word or PDF) and a hard copy with capsule summary, all appropriate photos, and maps to MHT.