Hessian Barracks' History Keeps Former Admin Busy
URBANA, Md. (AP) -- Retirement has found Chad Baker anything but retired. Officially, he ended his career as deputy superintendent of the Maryland School for the Deaf in October, after 36 years.
But the long pull of history won't let go: He continues to volunteer on the Friends of the Hessian Barracks committee, which is devoted to preserving the school's first home.
The old stone building was constructed in the late 1770s. It later housed Revolutionary prisoners of war, served as a hospital for Civil War wounded and became the first Maryland School for the Deaf schoolhouse in 1867.
The building later became the school's museum.
"It's a lot about the life of Frederick," Baker said.
His academic role included researching the history of the school -- and the barracks in particular.
He has scoured the nation for original-source documents with accurate information, including the facts concerning frontier explorer Meriwether Lewis and his preparations at the site along with the architectural and material features of the original building. Much incorrect history has circulated over the years and
continues to resurface on the Internet and on trinkets.
The project to restore the building to its original condition became a passion, Baker said.
He could while away the days on his Urbana farm, but he comes in to his old office at least once a week and answers office e-mails daily.
His expertise keeps him on call. Friends of the Hessian Barracks meets monthly. At its November meeting, the group sought a volunteer to make the speaking rounds to help publicize the
barracks and the need for funds to complete the restoration.
Baker volunteered.
"I will gladly go anywhere to help raise money," he told the committee.
The state has funded the exterior restoration, but private funds will be needed to finish the inside, he said. That is where Friends of the Hessian Barracks comes in. The group plans for the building to house a museum about its history.
Baker is putting the finishing touches on a narrative account of the barracks' history as a prelude to its total restoration. New shingles have been ordered, but it will take a year to make enough of the hand-cut, wooden shingles to cover all 6,000 square feet, he said. Interior renovation has yet to start.
Baker estimates the grand opening of the Hessian Barracks Museum is at least two years away.
"It's been rewarding," he said. "I'm committed to seeing (it) through."
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
