To the residents of Kingsville and surrounding communities,
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Park Service are committed to the historic preservation of the historic Jerusalem Mill Village and would like to provide clarity on DNR’s ongoing partnership with the nonprofit Friends of Jerusalem Mill.
First, DNR staff recognize the historic importance and community connections provided by the Jerusalem Mill Village. DNR’s primary goal is to ensure the village is maintained to the highest standards of historical preservation while being safe, welcoming, and accessible to the public. As one of Maryland’s finest preserved 18th-century industrial settlements, DNR is fully committed to protecting Jerusalem Mill’s cultural and historical integrity.
DNR and the state continue to provide resources to the preservation of Jerusalem Mill to ensure preservation projects move forward. For example, this year the Department advocated before the General Assembly to extend a $250,000 state grant dedicated to restoring the Jericho Road Stone Bank Barn at the site.
For decades, DNR has partnered with the nonprofit Friends of Jerusalem Mill to provide historical interpretation, public events, and educational tours at the village. Through this partnership, the Friends group also fundraises to help maintain and preserve the historic buildings at the site.
DNR deeply values the work and volunteer contributions that Friends of Jerusalem Mill provides.
The core lease agreement between DNR and Friends of Jerusalem Mill remains in effect. The $1 per year, 20-year lease agreement, which runs through 2039, enables the Friends group to fundraise, offer historical interpretation, and host public programs.
DNR’s Update to Friends of Jerusalem Mill’s Lease
The only structural change DNR has made to the Friends of Jerusalem Mill Village’s lease is to remove the ability of the group to sublease two residences inside the village, which is a department-wide policy shift that is applicable to all outside organizations operating on state land.
Following comprehensive, statewide reviews of residential properties across public lands, DNR established a department-wide policy prohibiting private, non-operational residential subleases inside state parks. This policy change was enacted to establish strict oversight, ensure public safety, and eliminate unaccountable housing practices.
This requirement was applied uniformly across all state park lands. No other leaseholder on state park property currently holds the privilege of subleasing state-owned homes to private tenants to use as permanent residences for fundraising purposes.
While we understand this may impact Friends of Jerusalem Mill Village’s overall fundraising methods, DNR made this change in response to several significant issues involving oversight of state-owned homes. This is intended to improve the overall safety and experience of our park guests.
Per DNR’s current policy, state-owned residences inside state parks are assigned by an impartial DNR housing board exclusively to department-vetted individuals/state employees.
DNR and the Maryland Park Service value the history of Jerusalem Mill and remain steadfastly committed to its long-term preservation. The department welcomes respectful, constructive dialogue about its future.
