About Howard County Historical Society

Founded in 1958, the Howard County Historical Society(HCHS) is primary private repository of historical records and artifacts related to Howard County’s rich history. The Howard County Historical Society provides access to materials that aid in historical exploration, research and discovery for all ages and cultural groups.

Throughout the year, the Howard County Historical Society presents a wide variety of engaging public programs, concerts, lectures, and other activities. The Society also welcomes school groups, scouts, home schoolers, adult groups, and the public to participate through field trips and outreach programs.

Our Flag

Howard County’s rich military history, our Maryland heritage, and the Society’s mission of community outreach arethe essential elements in the Official Howard County Historical Society Flag.

Formally adopted by the Board of Directors on July 9, 2002, our flag was inspired by the headquarters banner of General Bradley T. Johnson – a unique burgee (swallowtail flag) – with a white field and red border. In the center is a large cross bottony in red – an original symbol of Maryland and one that appears the state seal. It’s the same symbol is used in the Howard County flag.

Surrounding the cross is an elliptical circle of 12 stars with a thirteenth star in the center replicating the star pattern of the Third Maryland Regiment’s colors. One of the Continental Army’s most reliable units, the Third Maryland played a major role in the victory by American forces at the Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina in 1781. It was commanded by Colonel John Eager Howard, for whom the county is named.

The white stars on the regimental color are gold with black fimbration – representing our state colors: white, red, black, and gold. The stars are arranged so that a point on the star reaches out in all directions – symbolizing the society’s desire to reach out to future generations.

Over the cross bottony is the steeple of the Howard County Historical Society Museum, where the flag is flown. We invite you to view the flag, which was designed for the Society by Richard T. Clark, by visiting the Howard County Historical Society Museum.

Staff

Mark Stout

Mark Stout

Executive Director

Q

About Mark Stout

Dr. Mark J. Stout currently serves as the executive Director of the Howard County Historical Society. Previously, he was the Global Curriculum Director for Discovery Education. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Maryland College Park, with a BA in Geography from UMBC. He began his career as a middle school social studies teacher, and has worked as a curriculum specialist, facilitator in professional development, and curriculum coordinator for secondary social studies, gifted and talented, and Advanced Placement in the Howard County Public School System. He also served as an educational consultant in historical thinking, secondary reading, and college and career readiness; an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland system; a board member for the National Social Studies Supervisors Association, and a coordinator for two Teaching American History Grant projects.

Lauren Cramer

Lauren Cramer

Archives Manager

Q

About Lauren Cramer

Lauren received her BA degree in Psychology and Spanish from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA and Master's in Library and Information Science with an Archival Concentration from Simmons University. She has interned at a variety of archives including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, MA, the Office of the Curator of the Supreme Court in Washington DC and Wyndham Robertson Library in Roanoke, VA. She has previously worked as a Government Records Management Contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton in Virginia and Washington DC. Lauren has been a resident of Maryland for 6 years as a military spouse.

Geeta Shanbhag

Geeta Shanbhag

Research Manager

Q

About Geeta Shanbhag

Geeta Shanbhag is the Society’s Research Manager. A Howard County native, Geeta graduated from UMBC in 2018 with a BA in Media Communications and is currently pursuing a master’s in Applied Sociology. Originally a volunteer at the historical society, Geeta has helped numerous members and clients with research requests.
Aidan Connor

Aidan Connor

Museum Manager

Q

About Aidan Connor

Aidan Connor is the Museum Manager at the Society’s two museums. Aidan was a Rouse Scholar at Howard Community College where he received his associates degree, and recently graduated from UMBC with a BA in political science with a minor in History.

Board of Directors

Board Members Name
Director 2020-2023 Gail Bates
Director 2020-2023 Roger Caplan
Director 2020-2023 Robert "Bob" Glascock
Director 2020-2023 Rita Hamlet
Director 2020-2023 Tara Simpson
Director 2020-2023 John "JD" Slack
Director 2021-2024 Steve Castro
Director 2021-2024 Debra "Debbie" Costley
Director 2021-2024 Judith Draper
Director 2021-2024 Patricia Greenwalk
Director 2021-2024 Leonora Hoenes
Director 2022-2025 Mae Beale
Director 2022-2025 Martha Clark
Director 2022-2025 Thomas "Tom" Goss
Director 2022-2025 Ellen Flynn Giles
Director 2022-2025 Anne Schoenhut
Director 2022-2025 George Tolen

Officers

Executive Officers Name
President Ellen Flynn Giles
1st Vice President Gail Bates
2nd Vice President Thomas Goss
Treasurer George Tolen
Recording Secretary Rita Hamlet
Corresponding Secretary Pat Greenwald
Past President Steve Castro

Honorary Board Members

  • Betty Adams
  • Charles Coles
  • Doris Fredericks
  • W. Henry Griffith
  • Paul L. Miller
  • Consuelo Regan-Alexander
  • Phil Stackhouse

Presidents of the Howard County Historical Society

Alda Hopkins Clark 1958-1964
Louis D. Clark 1964-?
S. Tracey Stackhouse ?
Charles Wehland ?-1973
Aelred D. Geis 1973-1975
Roberta Adams 1975-1977
Shirley Hobbs 1978-1980
Granville W. Wehland 1980-1982
Helen S. Jones 1982-1984
C. Edward Walter 1984-1987
Jim Holway 1987-1988
Barbara Warfield 1988-1990
Doris S. Thompson 1990-1991
Ann H. Ryder 1991-1993
Paul L. Miller 1993-1995
James Clark, Jr. 1995-1996
William A. Fralic 1996-1997
Charles M. Coles, Jr. 1997-1999
W. Henry Griffith, Jr. 1999-2003
Richard T. Clark 2003-2005
Constance Wehland 2005-2007
Philip Stackhouse 2007-2009
Shelley Wygant 2009-2011
Leonora Hoenes 2011-2013
Paulette Kelly Lutz 2013-2016
Theodore Mariani 2016-2017
Steve Castro 2017-2019
Tom Bower 2019-2020
Ellen Flynn Giles 2020-Present
About HCHS

About Howard County Historical Society

Founded in 1958, the Howard County Historical Society(HCHS) is primary private repository of historical records and artifacts related to Howard County’s rich history. The Howard County Historical Society provides access to materials that aid in historical exploration, research and discovery for all ages and cultural groups.

Throughout the year, the Howard County Historical Society presents a wide variety of engaging public programs, concerts, lectures, and other activities. The Society also welcomes school groups, scouts, home schoolers, adult groups, and the public to participate through field trips and outreach programs.

Our Flag

Howard County’s rich military history, our Maryland heritage, and the Society’s mission of community outreach arethe essential elements in the Official Howard County Historical Society Flag.

Formally adopted by the Board of Directors on July 9, 2002, our flag was inspired by the headquarters banner of General Bradley T. Johnson – a unique burgee (swallowtail flag) – with a white field and red border. In the center is a large cross bottony in red – an original symbol of Maryland and one that appears the state seal. It’s the same symbol is used in the Howard County flag.

Surrounding the cross is an elliptical circle of 12 stars with a thirteenth star in the center replicating the star pattern of the Third Maryland Regiment’s colors. One of the Continental Army’s most reliable units, the Third Maryland played a major role in the victory by American forces at the Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina in 1781. It was commanded by Colonel John Eager Howard, for whom the county is named.

The white stars on the regimental color are gold with black fimbration – representing our state colors: white, red, black, and gold. The stars are arranged so that a point on the star reaches out in all directions – symbolizing the society’s desire to reach out to future generations.

Over the cross bottony is the steeple of the Howard County Historical Society Museum, where the flag is flown. We invite you to view the flag, which was designed for the Society by Richard T. Clark, by visiting the Howard County Historical Society Museum.

Staff

Staff

Mark Stout

Mark Stout

Executive Director

Q

About Mark Stout

Dr. Mark J. Stout currently serves as the executive Director of the Howard County Historical Society. Previously, he was the Global Curriculum Director for Discovery Education. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Maryland College Park, with a BA in Geography from UMBC. He began his career as a middle school social studies teacher, and has worked as a curriculum specialist, facilitator in professional development, and curriculum coordinator for secondary social studies, gifted and talented, and Advanced Placement in the Howard County Public School System. He also served as an educational consultant in historical thinking, secondary reading, and college and career readiness; an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland system; a board member for the National Social Studies Supervisors Association, and a coordinator for two Teaching American History Grant projects.

Lauren Cramer

Lauren Cramer

Archives Manager

Q

About Lauren Cramer

Lauren received her BA degree in Psychology and Spanish from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA and Master's in Library and Information Science with an Archival Concentration from Simmons University. She has interned at a variety of archives including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, MA, the Office of the Curator of the Supreme Court in Washington DC and Wyndham Robertson Library in Roanoke, VA. She has previously worked as a Government Records Management Contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton in Virginia and Washington DC. Lauren has been a resident of Maryland for 6 years as a military spouse.

Geeta Shanbhag

Geeta Shanbhag

Research Manager

Q

About Geeta Shanbhag

Geeta Shanbhag is the Society’s Research Manager. A Howard County native, Geeta graduated from UMBC in 2018 with a BA in Media Communications and is currently pursuing a master’s in Applied Sociology. Originally a volunteer at the historical society, Geeta has helped numerous members and clients with research requests.
Aidan Connor

Aidan Connor

Museum Manager

Q

About Aidan Connor

Aidan Connor is the Museum Manager at the Society’s two museums. Aidan was a Rouse Scholar at Howard Community College where he received his associates degree, and recently graduated from UMBC with a BA in political science with a minor in History.
Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Board Members Name
Director 2020-2023 Gail Bates
Director 2020-2023 Roger Caplan
Director 2020-2023 Robert "Bob" Glascock
Director 2020-2023 Rita Hamlet
Director 2020-2023 Tara Simpson
Director 2020-2023 John "JD" Slack
Director 2021-2024 Steve Castro
Director 2021-2024 Debra "Debbie" Costley
Director 2021-2024 Judith Draper
Director 2021-2024 Patricia Greenwalk
Director 2021-2024 Leonora Hoenes
Director 2022-2025 Mae Beale
Director 2022-2025 Martha Clark
Director 2022-2025 Thomas "Tom" Goss
Director 2022-2025 Ellen Flynn Giles
Director 2022-2025 Anne Schoenhut
Director 2022-2025 George Tolen
Officers

Officers

Executive Officers Name
President Ellen Flynn Giles
1st Vice President Gail Bates
2nd Vice President Thomas Goss
Treasurer George Tolen
Recording Secretary Rita Hamlet
Corresponding Secretary Pat Greenwald
Past President Steve Castro
Honorary Members

Honorary Board Members

  • Betty Adams
  • Charles Coles
  • Doris Fredericks
  • W. Henry Griffith
  • Paul L. Miller
  • Consuelo Regan-Alexander
  • Phil Stackhouse
Past Presidents

Presidents of the Howard County Historical Society

Alda Hopkins Clark 1958-1964
Louis D. Clark 1964-?
S. Tracey Stackhouse ?
Charles Wehland ?-1973
Aelred D. Geis 1973-1975
Roberta Adams 1975-1977
Shirley Hobbs 1978-1980
Granville W. Wehland 1980-1982
Helen S. Jones 1982-1984
C. Edward Walter 1984-1987
Jim Holway 1987-1988
Barbara Warfield 1988-1990
Doris S. Thompson 1990-1991
Ann H. Ryder 1991-1993
Paul L. Miller 1993-1995
James Clark, Jr. 1995-1996
William A. Fralic 1996-1997
Charles M. Coles, Jr. 1997-1999
W. Henry Griffith, Jr. 1999-2003
Richard T. Clark 2003-2005
Constance Wehland 2005-2007
Philip Stackhouse 2007-2009
Shelley Wygant 2009-2011
Leonora Hoenes 2011-2013
Paulette Kelly Lutz 2013-2016
Theodore Mariani 2016-2017
Steve Castro 2017-2019
Tom Bower 2019-2020
Ellen Flynn Giles 2020-Present