DNR Seeks Partners to Restore Historic Grove Farm

Open Houses September 15 and October 13

Earleville, Md. (September 11, 2012) ─  Citizens interested in becoming curators to the historic Grove Farm in Cecil County are invited to join the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for one of its open houses, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 15 or October 13. The Grove Farm is available for restoration under the Department’s Resident-Curatorship Program, which matches up historic properties with people interested in restoring, maintaining and periodically sharing them with the public in return for the right to lifetime tenancy.

The Resident-Curatorship Program is a great example of public and private partnerships,” said Emily Burrows, manager of cultural resources and curatorships for DNR. “Curators benefit by restoring and living in a historic house on State protected land, and the State benefits by preserving an important part of Maryland’s history.”

The Grove Farm sits among 750 acres of protected farmland and woodland. The acreage of the curatorship has yet to be determined, but will include the Federal styled main house built around 1810, an ice house, corn crib, carriage house, bank barn, and several other ancillary farm buildings. While the main focus of the restoration will be the house, the outbuildings are historically important, and must be preserved as part of the curatorship. Preference will be given to proposals from non-profit organizations with missions in-keeping with that of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The open houses will take place at 2125 Grove Neck Road, near Earleville. The Grove Farm property will only be available to the public during these times.

For more information on the Grove Farm or the Resident-Curatorship Program, citizens may visit dnr.state.md.us/land/rcs/index.asp, or contact Emily Burrows at eburrows@dnr.state.md.us or 410-260-8457.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov