The Art Deco Style Farmers Banking and Trust building in downtown Rockville will serve as the new center for Montgomery History.
The association dedicated to honoring and preserving the county’s history, finalized purchase of the former commercial institution at 4 Courthouse Square.
Montgomery History plans to develop the building into the Montgomery County History Center. It will include space for lectures, exhibits, receptions. It will also house the Sween Research Library, the administrative offices and a recording studio.
With 12 to 18 months of renovations, they expect to open their doors in 2026, just in time to celebrate the county’s 250th birthday.
Executive Director Matt Logan thanked state representatives Senator Cheryl Kagan, Senator Craig Zucker and Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr for their support.
“Montgomery History is thrilled to acquire this prized landmark. While we are excited to assure the building’s preservation, we are especially looking forward to creating a space for the community to explore the past so that we can chart a better course for the future,” Logan said in a press release.
Private donors financed the building’s purchase. Donations from the public, Logan stated, will help complete the new center’s amenities.
Built in 1930, the former bank will remain a vital element of the Courthouse Historic District which is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photo courtesy: Wikipedian1234, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
