The University of Maryland and statewide nonprofit Preservation Maryland are partnering to repurpose the historic Ellicott City Jail, a looming landmark in Howard County, Md. that has stood for more than 170 years. Preservation Maryland anticipates breaking ground on this project in Spring 2026.
Under the agreement, Preservation Maryland will lead a multimillion-dollar adaptive reuse of the long-vacant property, transforming it into a center for preservation, education and community engagement. As part of the collaboration, UMD’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation will establish a presence within the rehabilitated building to advancing groundbreaking research and cultivate a pipeline of skilled, versatile practitioners.
“This long-awaited project will serve as a catalyst for important preservation research across the region,” said Dawn Jourdan, dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “Preservation Maryland has been a longstanding partner for our program. We look forward to continuing that collaboration in this historically significant space.”
Built in 1851 and expanded in 1878, the Ellicott City Jail’s formidable granite complex history as it once held freedom seekers prior to the abolition of slavery in Maryland, and it later became the site of both documented and narrowly prevented lynchings. The jail served Howard County until the early 1980s and has been vacant since 2008.
The project will adapt and reinterpret the jail site with public exhibits, event space and places for reflection; in addition to housing research space for UMD faculty and students, it will also serve as the headquarters for Preservation Maryland.
“Revitalizing the Ellicott City Jail site is about more than preserving a historic building—it’s about creating a place for community, research, reflection, and renewal,” said Nicholas Redding, president and CEO of Preservation Maryland. “The project represents a unique collaboration between state, county, nonprofit, and academic partners to breathe new life into one of Ellicott City’s most significant historic landmarks while addressing contemporary challenges.”
Under the leadership of Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Michelle Magalong, UMD plans to develop a research hub that connects experienced practitioners with students, technology, and resources to advance publications and fieldwork. Magalong also hopes to expose students to a variety of skills and techniques—from traditional and ancient preservation methods to AI-aided research and documentation—to build professional skillsets and ensure underrepresented trades aren’t lost to time.
The university’s longstanding relationship with Preservation Maryland, and their unified mission to preserve, protect and shed light on all historic resources and sites, make this a natural partnership, said Magalong,
“I’m excited to work with them to envision the future of preservation and how can we strengthen our workforce— from academics to practitioners on the ground,” she said. “We hope to create a more just pipeline into preservation by amassing a variety of people, skills and knowledge.”
In addition to the County’s ARPA grant, Preservation Maryland has also secured funding from Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, State Legislative Bond Bills, and other federal and philanthropic sources. Michael Graves Architecture has been selected to lead design for the redevelopment project.