(12/13) As part of a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) grant, the town has secured an additional $12,062 to create four more wayside exhibits. The grant money was awarded to the town back in August, and will be applied towards the design and construction of four more exhibits in various areas throughout town.

Last year, the town installed its first three wayside exhibits, which were funded with the help of a $9,000 MHAA grant. These three signs showcased the Town Square, the Emmit House and the Doughboy Statue. The long-term goal for this project is to create a historic walking tour for visitors and even residents of the town.

Ruth Bielobocky from Ion Design Firm was once again called upon to help with the design of the next set of signs. A site visit to Emmitsburg to view the potential sites to feature kicked off the beginning stages of design work for Bielobocky, who after visiting Emmitsburg began preliminary sketches for the overall design of the signs. Scott Grove of Grove Public Relations LLC was also asked to work on the project again as the writer and researcher for the historical content of these signs. Together, they created a formal proposal, which they brought forth to Emmitsburg’s Board of Commissioners on December 3 for discussion.

Wayside exhibits, as explained by Bielobocky, were developed by the National Park Service as a way to include photos and diagrams to interpret the resource in front of you. Wayside exhibits can act as a substitute if no ranger or docent is available to help visitors interpret a particular site. Additionally, they can become tools for tourism development.

As described by Grove, the purpose of creating these signs is to provide a basic overview and orientation of Frederick’s founding and development. Additionally, designers wanted to show how Emmitsburg is, was and continues to be a nexus of commercial transportation and historical activity. The four new signs will depict the Great fire of 1863, which will be located at the northeast quadrant of the town square, the Vigilant Hose Company, the Chronicle Press building, and the Carriage House Inn building.

According to Mayor Don Briggs, the first three signs were just the beginning of a project that may hopefully continue to be expanded on in the future to encompass more of Emmitsburg’s historical sites. "We have a lot of history here and would like to add more exhibits," noted Briggs.

The total project cost for all four, approximately three-foot signs, is roughly $24,000. With the $12,062 grant from MHAA, the town is responsible for providing the remaining 50%. $10,962 will be a cash match from the town, and $1,101 will be in-kind/staff time for research and installation.

Town staff hopes to have final design of the new signs approved in early January so the process of fabrication may be completed this winter. Once the weather turns, and spring arrives, the new wayside exhibits will be installed. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place late May – early June.