edited by Shannon Rogers
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners has been honored with a Maryland Preservation Award from the Maryland Historical Trust, recognizing decades of stewardship and recent restoration work at the historic Union Mills Homestead.
The award, presented on May 1, celebrates the County’s long-term commitment to preserving one of Maryland’s most significant early industrial heritage sites. According to the Maryland Historical Trust, Carroll County’s partnership with the Union Mills Homestead Foundation represents a “superior model of sustained public commitment,” citing preservation investments dating back to the 1970s.
Among the most recent accomplishments highlighted was the meticulous restoration of the 1797 gristmill’s waterwheel and shaft. The project incorporated original U.K. engineering drawings and traditional millwright techniques, including a hand-crafted white oak wheel built to historic specifications. Earlier restoration efforts also included an award-winning 2023 flume rehabilitation.
Commissioner Dennis Kiler, representing District 2, accepted the award on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. He was joined by Chris Tomlinson, who presented a proclamation on behalf of the state delegation in recognition of the achievement. Also acknowledged for their contributions were Department of Public Works Director Bryan Bokey and Airport Manager Dean Leister.
“It was an honor to accept the award on behalf of the County Commissioners,” Kiler said. “Thank you to the DPW and Union Mills teams for their collaboration and dedication in bringing this project to fruition. Preserving historic sites is vital so future generations can learn about and appreciate the history of those who came before us.”
Founded in 1797 by brothers Andrew and David Shriver Jr., Union Mills originally operated as a flour and sawmill complex powered by Big Pipe Creek. The site once supported a range of trades, including leather tanning, blacksmithing, barrel-making, and wheelwrighting, and its flour was shipped internationally through the port of Baltimore.
Today, Union Mills Homestead operates as a museum of rural Maryland life, owned by Carroll County and managed in partnership with the Union Mills Homestead Foundation. Open seasonally, the site welcomes more than 10,000 visitors each year and features original furnishings, preserved outbuildings, and a fully operational grist mill that continues to demonstrate early American industry in action.
