County Transfers Historic Gothic Barn to Sugarloaf Citizens Association

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

st/barn.pr 99-189

Contact: Mark Thompson, 301-217-2323
For Immediate Release: May 22, 1999

County Transfers Historic Gothic Barn
to Sugarloaf Citizens Association

The latest chapter in the history of an upcounty landmark was written today when the Gothic Dairy Barn on the old Linden Farm in Dickerson was turned over to the Sugarloaf Citizens Association (SCA). The historic barn is one of only three dairy barns in the county with a gothic style roof.

In ribboncutting ceremonies attended by State and county officials, Montgomery County transferred the historic barn on Martinsburg Road to the SCA under an agreement signed in 1996 by County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and the citizens group.

The 1996 agreement settled a lawsuit brought by the association involving operation of the County composting facility in Dickerson. Filed in 1994, the suit alleged that the County, by adding improvements to and expanding the operations of the composting facility without benefit of public hearing, had violated the terms of a 1981 agreement which had imposed conditions on the use of the compost site. Among the conditions of the settlement, the County agreed to lease approximately 70 acres adjoining the compost facility to the SCA.

The first phase of the transfer involved renovating the adjacent stone house property which was turned over to the SCA in July 1997 and is rented out as a residential property.

"The completion of this project represents the culmination of many years of work and cooperation between the County and the citizens of the Sugarloaf area," said Duncan. "The restored Linden Farm property showcases the rich history of this community and a bright future for its residents."

The historic Gothic Dairy Barn will serve residents as a community center, providing space for meetings and other public events. It will also serve as the headquarters of the Sugarloaf Citizens Association.

# # #

News Releases | News