Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Community members gathered to discuss volunteer opportunities and events at the Perry Hall Mansion.
7:09 p.m. Members of the Historic Perry Hall Mansion board greeted attendees. Jeffrey Smith introduced the group's "newly styled name," since transitioning from the Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion. "It takes a lot, a lot of people and a lot of dedication to make this happen," Smith said. Smith introduced a member of the board of another mansion, the Clifton Mansion. 7:12 p.m. Smith said elected officials have been supportive of the mansion effort. Board member Laura Kimball introduced the new organization of the group. "The county no longer wants to be in the business of supporting historic structures ... we'd like to take over the building ... the county wants out and we want in ... it's a good deal." Kimball said the group is planning…
Friday, August 10, 2012
A photographic history of the Perry Hall Mansion is slated to be published in March 2013.
A book cataloging the families, artifacts, photos and historical events associated with the Perry Hall Mansion is just months away from distribution. Co-authors and community volunteers, Sean Kief and Jeffrey Smith, have released an advance image of its cover—recently approved by Arcadia Publishing for its Images of America series. Read more about preparations for the book in the article, Perry Hall Mansion History Book Prepped for National Publisher. Tell us what interests you most about the mansion's history in the comments.
A book detailing the mansion's photographic history could be distributed by March 2013.
Perry Hall's most significant historic landmark is also its most elusive—hidden behind trees and locked behind a chain-link fence. An upcoming book, however, seeks to offer an unprecedented glimpse into the Perry Hall Mansion's storied past. Co-authors Sean Kief and Jeffrey Smith are working to complete preparations for an Images of America book through Arcadia Publishing. Images of paintings, artifacts and photos—along with a corresponding narrative of captions—are due to the publisher by Sept. 11. The finished paperback book could hit Amazon, local bookstores and the mansion's gift shop by March 2013. Find an advance image of the book's cover here on Patch. "A lot of people in Perry Hall grew up with this mystery of the Perry Hall …
Thursday, June 21, 2012
A proposal to downzone the Perry Hall Mansion property could further protect the property from development.
There are currently no plans to demolish the Perry Hall Mansion and replace it with a housing development—its four-acre lot on Meetinghouse Road remains Baltimore County-owned and the structure itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Still, downzoning the property from DR 2 (two houses per acre) to DR 1 (one house per acre) would further protect the area from future development, according to County Councilman David Marks. Marks first announced his proposal to downzone the Perry Hall Mansion property in December 2011, as part of widespread effort to lower the development potential of more than 280 acres of Perry Hall. He reaffirmed his support this week, associating the mansion's downzoning with his recent efforts to …
Monday, April 30, 2012
Community members celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day at the historic Perry Hall Mansion.
Members of the Perry Hall community gathered to commemorate both Earth Day and Arbor Day at the historic Perry Hall Mansion on Sunday. Volunteers helped clean up the four-acre mansion grounds, pruned bushes, pulled weeds, and removed stray brush and debris from the property. The Friends of Perry Hall Mansion provided water and lunch. The highlight of the event was the planting of a redbud tree, donated by State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier. Baltimore County Councilman David Marks and State Del. John Cluster were also on hand for this spring celebration and volunteer activity. The Friends hope the planting of new trees can serve as an annual commemoration of both Earth Day and Arbor Day in Perry Hall. How would you like to see the mansion used by…
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Perry Hall High Alumni Association and Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion have both planned community clean-ups for Saturday and Sunday.
Two community organizations are still seeking volunteers to help clean up the community this weekend. On April 21, the Perry Hall High School Alumni Association plans to hold a community clean-up. Volunteers should meet at Weis Markets at 4126 E Joppa Rd. at 8:45 a.m. Doughnuts, water and vests will be provided. See the Patch event listing or email perryhallgrads@gmail.com for details. On April 22, the Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion plan to clean up the grounds of the Perry Hall Mansion. Between 1 p.m. and continuing until 6 p.m., volunteers will collect brush and debris, prune and trim shrubs and trees and cut the grass. There will also be a special tree planting ceremony. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided, in addition to …
Friday, April 13, 2012
Tree planting and grounds cleaning will be held at the Perry Hall Mansion on April 22.
In honor of Earth Day 2012, on Sunday, April 22, the Friends of Perry Hall Mansion will host a special community service opportunity for all interested volunteers. Starting at 1 p.m. and continuing until 6 p.m., Friends members will work side by side with volunteers to conduct a comprehensive spring cleaning of the 4-acre grounds surrounding the historic Perry Hall Mansion at 3930 Perry Hall Rd. They plan to collect brush and debris, prune and trim shrubs and trees and cut the grass. A highlight of the event will be a special tree planting ceremony, in commemoration of both Earth Day and Arbor Day, which will fall on April 27. Lunch and light refreshments will be available for all attendees, in addition to raffle prizes and other …
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A plan to downzone the property would curb its potential for development.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 20 at Perry Hall High School to discuss the potential downzoning of the Perry Hall Mansion property. While the property is currently owned by Baltimore County, downzoning would curb the potential for development if it ever again became privately owned. County Councilman David Marks said he plans to reduce the zoning from two houses per acre to one house per acre. It's part of Marks' larger downzoning initiative throughout District 5. In December, he proposed zoning changes in 479 acres, including about 281 acres in Perry Hall. A complete list of areas expected to be downzoned is available in the article, Marks' Zoning Plan Calls for Curbing Perry Hall Development. Which areas in Perry Hall …
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Patch has a few words for the Perry Hall community this Valentine's Day.
Nearly a year and a half into their relationship, it's safe to say that Perry Hall and Patch are going steady. This Valentine's Day, Patch is showing its affections with a series of homemade valentines. Do you love Perry Hall, too? Tell us why and suggest your own ideas for community valentines in the comments. Want more? Check out last year's valentines in this article, Valentines to Perry Hall, With Love (2011).
David Marks
8:14 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Congratulations to the volunteers working on this project. This property is close to my heart, and while I can't attend tonight, I will continue to work on the lease and to secure some funding for the mansion's restoration. more ›