Community and Public Officials
Rededicate Silver Spring B&O Depot

On November 22, 2002, Montgomery Preservation welcomed state and local officials and community residents to the Rededication Ceremony of the restored Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station.

Eileen McGuckian, director of the restoration, took the crowd back to the beginning of this modern saga when in February 1997, an errant automobile crashed into the Georgia Avenue entrance door, forcing owner CSX to close the station and move its tenant, MARC, into a trailer. CSX then applied for a demolition permit and the community sprang into action, nominating the site for protection under the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.

Montgomery Preservation then stepped forward, accepting the donation of the station from CSX in 1998. Listing in the National Register of Historic Places followed in 2000.

Speaking on behalf of Montgomery Preservation, McGuckian noted that the project was a huge challenge for a small, all-volunteer group. However, since accepting ownership of the building, with its leaking roof, falling plaster, filthy floors and tile, and graffiti, Montgomery Preservation met the challenge to restore the station to its grand 1945 Opening Day appearance and make it available once again for community use.

Public officials, representatives of private organizations, and community residents marveled at the restoration, made possible by the support of these major contributors: State of Maryland; Federal Transportation Enhancement Program; Montgomery County Government; Maryland Mass Transit Administration; Preservation Maryland; CSX Transportation; Maryland Historical Trust; Silver Spring Woman's Club; Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission; National Railway Historical Society, Potomac Chapter; Linda and Jonathan Lyons; Eileen McGuckian; Nancy and Edward Urban; Trance, Lloyd and Wayne Goldstein; I. William and Marie-Danielle Hartman; Rotary Club of Silver Spring; Silver Spring Historical Society; and in memory of F. Wallis and Carol S. Wheeler, former Postmaster, Silver Spring, MD.

Representatives from Vitella Architects, the architects for the project, were on hand to admire the work of artisans from MarChuck Construction Company. McGuckian noted, "The great pride and craftsmanship of this young company are forever etched in this building."

Montgomery Preservation expressed gratitude to former station master, Robert B. Davis, for his untiring help to authenticate the work and locate original materials. In his honor, an engraved plaque on the trackside bench commemorates his 42 years of service.

Nancy Urban, co-project manager for the project, was recognized for her dedication and passion. Many of the details that comprise the building's long-lasting charm are the result of Urban's fastidiousness. Urban will continue as Montgomery Preservation's property manager for the station. Also recognized was the B&O Working Committee whose members, Jerri Bonin, Dean Brenneman, Robert B. Davis, Joan Foreman, Mary Gardner, Maria Hoey, Barbara Howald, Jerry McCoy, Cheryl Polydor, Nancy Pond, Mike Reis, John Sery, Marilyn Slatick, Carol Slatick, and Gene Slatick, assisted Urban and McGuckian with details pertaining to building use, publicity, signage, use of original parts, and public events.

Honored guests included Sen. Ida Ruben; Montgomery County Councilmember Blair Ewing; Gary Stith, director, Silver Spring Regional Center; Scott Egloff, president, Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce; Bruce Elliott, B&O Railway Historical Society; Robert Davis, former station manager; and Jerry McCoy, president, Silver Spring Historical Society.

Throughout the ceremony, guests enjoyed music of the Potomac River Rascals Barbershop Quartet who harmonized old-time favorites. They also helped Montgomery Preservation welcome new station tenant Class Acts Arts, Inc., a Silver Spring performing arts organization, whose offices are in the former baggage area and agent/operators office.

The passenger waiting room is available for rentals and will serve as a visitor center/museum on the planned Metropolitan Branch Hiker/Biker Trail.

In closing, McGuckian praised the successful partnerships that made this project a success. "The community embraced the Silver Spring Railroad Station and cheered on its restoration and rejuvenation. MPI had the vision and conducted the orchestra. It had a relatively small window of opportunity to rescue this little building, raise nearly $600,000, and restore it. We should all leave with railroad songs in our hearts," she said.

The ribbon was then cut and guests dispersed to explore the building, enjoy the memorabilia and appreciate the many authentically restored and original building elements that will forever give a rare view of passenger rail service during the mid-20th century.

Enhancing the celebration, the U.S. Postal Service set up shop to stamp Jerry McCoy's postal cancellations.

It was a glorious day in Silver Spring - one of many to come.

The historic Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station is available for rental to community groups and businesses for meetings, parties, small concerts, arts programs, receptions, and special events. Contact NAURBAN@aol.com for details.