Ward Memorial Arch-Western Maryland College Historic District - Westminster MD - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form

Western Maryland College was established under the auspices of the Maryland Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church and chartered by an act of the Maryland Legislature in 1864. Consideration was first given to a site in the Baltimore City area but this was later changed to its present site in Westminster. The original 8-acre campus was acquired by the college's state-appointed Board of Directors in 1864 utilizing private monies. The site, although privately owned, was one that for many years was used by the citizens of Westminster as a meeting and picnicing area. Commonly referred to at that time as the "Old Commons," it was the scene of annual Fourth-of-July celebrations, political rallies, and during the Civil War was utilized by the Army of the Potomac to bivouac troops and for the placement of guns to protect the daily arrival of artillery on the nearby Western Maryland Railroad. The first building to be constructed, combining classrooms and dormitories, was known as the Main Building. Combining brick and stone, a regionally common building material, it was initially constructed in 1866, added to in 1871, 1887, and 1890, and demolished in 1956. About 14 other buildings were constructed on the 8-acre site between 1866 and 1900; but with the exception of those included in this nomination, all have been razed and other buildings erected on their sites. The structures nominated as an historic district are the oldest surviving architectural links with the 19th century beginnings of the college.

The Ward Memorial Arch-Nomination Form Page 3

The Ward Memorial Arch, a local interpretation of Romanesque architecture exhibiting a Richardsonian influence, was built in 1898 at a location proximate to the President’s house and was relocated on its present site in 1937. It is of heavy, rough cut stone with large stone Voussoirs framing the semi-circular arch.

Name of Historic District (as listed on the NRHP): Western Maryland College Historic District Link to nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com page with the Historic District: [Web Link] Address: 1 Union Street, Westminster MD 21157 How did you determine the building to be a contributing structure?: Narrative found on the internet (Link provided below) Optional link to narrative or database: [Web Link] NRHP Historic District Waymark (Optional): Not listed

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