Acquisition marks major milestone in preserving a cherished cultural landmark
Elkton, MD — The Town of Elkton is proud to announce the official acquisition of the historic Holly Hall property, a long-anticipated milestone in the Town’s efforts to protect, preserve and celebrate its cultural heritage. The acquisition was made possible through Maryland State Revitalization Program Strategic Demolition Fund (SDF), awarded in recognition of the historic and architectural significance of Holly Hall and the Town’s commitment to protecting it for future generations.
Located on South Bridge Street, Holly Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is among Elkton’s treasured historic resources. This highly visible, historic manor house is located at a major crossroads within Elkton’s Highway Commercial District. The stately Federal-style home, dating back to the early 19th century, has long captured the imagination of local residents and historians alike. Now, thanks to sustained public support and strategic leadership at the local level, the property will be preserved, restored, and interpreted as a cornerstone of Elkton’s historic identity.
“This is a momentous day for the Town of Elkton,” said Mayor Robert J. Alt, who has been leading the charge to save Holly Hall for over eleven years with the support of the Town’s commissioners. “The acquisition of Holly Hall is not just the preservation of a building—it’s the preservation of our town’s story, spirit, and legacy. I want to thank our Board of Commissioners, our community, our partners at the State level, staff, and all those who believed in this vision and worked with us to make it a reality.”
The acquisition of Holly Hall reflects the Town’s continued investment in heritage, culture, and community pride. This project is identified in Elkton’s Sustainable Communities Plan and is consistent Elkton’s Comprehensive Plan in addition to State plans such as Reinvest Maryland and A Better Maryland.
The Town’s goal is to stabilize, restore, and interpret Holly Hall in a way that honors its historical importance and opens its doors to educational and cultural programming. Elkton’s grant award included $50,000 for initial stabilization of the structure. Plans for the site will be developed with input from preservation experts, local stakeholders, and the community, ensuring Holly Hall remains a living part of Elkton’s future.
Throughout the years, Holly Hall has been the focus of sustained public advocacy. Citizens, preservation organizations, and local historians have voiced strong support for saving the site, calling it an irreplaceable piece of Elkton’s cultural landscape. That public sentiment played a crucial role in securing the grant funding that made the acquisition possible.
More details regarding the next phases of the project will be announced in the coming months, including opportunities for community involvement, volunteer participation, and public input sessions.
For more on the History of Hall Hall see this blog post.
For more information, please contact:
Jeanne Minner
Director of Planning
Town of Elkton
Jeanne.minner@elkton.org | (410) 398-4999
Now that Holly Hall has been ravaged by time, rot, termites and torchered souls, it is time to invest tax payer money first and then knock it down when it becomes a lost cause.
I recommend using the $50000 to knock it down now and build something useful .
Sorry Rob,