About - Howard County Historical Society

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

Ellen Lewis

Administrative Manager

Bio

Q

About Ellen Lewis

Ellen received her BA degree in psychology from UCLA and MAs in Liberal Studies and Early Islamic History and certificate in Museum Studies from NYU. She interned at the Brooklyn Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Originally a volunteer for the historical society, Ellen has been brought on as the Administrative Manager.

Geeta Shanbhag

Research Manager

Bio

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

Museum Manager

Bio

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 2019-2022	Mae Beale
Director 2019-2022	Martha Clark
Director 2019-2022	Tom Goss
Director 2019-2022	George Tolen

Director 2020-2023	Gail Bates
Director 2020-2023	Roger Caplan
Director 2020-2023	Bob Glascock
Director 2020-2023	Lela Sewell-Williams
Director 2020-2023	Tara Simpson
Director 2020-2023	John "JD" Slack

Director 2021-2024	Richard T. Clark
Director 2021-2024	Debra "Debbie" Costley
Director 2021-2024	Judith Draper
Director 2021-2024	Leonora Hoenes
Director 2021-2024	Ken Wireman

Officers

Executive Officers	Name
President	Ellen Flynn Giles
1st Vice President	VACANT
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
Gladys H. Wahlhapter

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