Cabin has significant ties to African American history in western Maryland – WBAL TV Baltimore

Cabin has significant ties to African American history in western Maryland

Updated: 5:12 PM EDT May 24, 2022

It has been two years since a tiny log cabin was discovered in the once-famous Jonathan Street district in downtown Hagerstown. It turns out the cabin -- slated for demolition -- had major ties to the history of African Americans in western Maryland.Now it's been reconstructed -- and will soon be rented out -- as part of a major move to bring homeowners and businesses back to that district. Back in September 2020, 11 News was able to tag along as archaeologists from the Maryland Department of Transportation and Preservation Maryland dug around a small cabin located on Jonathan Street, dating back to the 1830s, discovered when a car accidentally crashed into it."You're seeing a small spark in a community that's growing much larger," said Reggie Turner, Washington County's commissioner of African American History and Culture.Now fast forward two years, turner took 11 News for a tour inside the renovated cabin, with an added 200 square feet and modern amenities.The cabin is located in what was one of the most well-known African American communities on the east coast.In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was bustling with Black-owned businesses, many of which were listed in the Green Book.Now the tiny little cabin is generating a lot of support for the neighborhood in the form of donations and grants."It's a catalyst for change. We're seeing it already in regard to investment. We've been able to garner for the community close to about $2 million at this point and substantially more interest," Turner said.The cabin has also piqued interest at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.An exhibit highlighting the history of Jonathan Street shows what the community looked like when it was thriving, as well as some of the most treasured artifacts discovered in the 2020 dig."Prior to the discovery of the cabin there was another old structure at Jonathan Street that the community was not able to save so preserving this cabin becomes a symbol for valuing The history of the neighborhood," Washington County Museum of Fine Arts Executive Director Sarah Hall said.The cabin will be put on the market soon, with a new owner moving in by fall.The hope is to encourage more homeowners in the neighborhood and at the same time, bring in businesses and the arts."We're excited about what we can do to move this work throughout this entire historic Black community," Turner said.For more information on the Jonathan Street exhibit, which runs through September, click here.

It has been two years since a tiny log cabin was discovered in the once-famous Jonathan Street district in downtown Hagerstown. It turns out the cabin -- slated for demolition -- had major ties to the history of African Americans in western Maryland.

Now it's been reconstructed -- and will soon be rented out -- as part of a major move to bring homeowners and businesses back to that district.

Back in September 2020, 11 News was able to tag along as archaeologists from the Maryland Department of Transportation and Preservation Maryland dug around a small cabin located on Jonathan Street, dating back to the 1830s, discovered when a car accidentally crashed into it.

"You're seeing a small spark in a community that's growing much larger," said Reggie Turner, Washington County's commissioner of African American History and Culture.

Now fast forward two years, turner took 11 News for a tour inside the renovated cabin, with an added 200 square feet and modern amenities.

The cabin is located in what was one of the most well-known African American communities on the east coast.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was bustling with Black-owned businesses, many of which were listed in the Green Book.

Now the tiny little cabin is generating a lot of support for the neighborhood in the form of donations and grants.

"It's a catalyst for change. We're seeing it already in regard to investment. We've been able to garner for the community close to about $2 million at this point and substantially more interest," Turner said.

The cabin has also piqued interest at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

An exhibit highlighting the history of Jonathan Street shows what the community looked like when it was thriving, as well as some of the most treasured artifacts discovered in the 2020 dig.

"Prior to the discovery of the cabin there was another old structure at Jonathan Street that the community was not able to save so preserving this cabin becomes a symbol for valuing The history of the neighborhood," Washington County Museum of Fine Arts Executive Director Sarah Hall said.

The cabin will be put on the market soon, with a new owner moving in by fall.

The hope is to encourage more homeowners in the neighborhood and at the same time, bring in businesses and the arts.

"We're excited about what we can do to move this work throughout this entire historic Black community," Turner said.

For more information on the Jonathan Street exhibit, which runs through September, click here.

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Cabin has significant ties to African American history in western Maryland - WBAL TV Baltimore