Evaluation of the Romeo and Elsie Horad House
About the Project
Adopted by the County Council in 1979, the Master Plan for Historic Preservation is the County’s preservation planning document. It includes the list of all officially designated historic sites and districts. Designation of a single property or entire district as a Master Plan historic site or historic district signifies that the particular site or district has been researched carefully by preservation specialists and, through review by the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Planning Board and by vote of the Montgomery County Council, determined to be of special historic significance and, therefore, to be protected under the Montgomery County Code, Chapter 24A, Historic Resources Preservation.
Designation in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation: 1) recognizes significant architectural and cultural sites; 2) protects buildings and neighborhoods from demolition; 3) manages exterior alterations to resources; 4) provides owners with information on care, restoration, and preservation; and 5) qualifies owners for special tax benefit programs.
Historic Significance
The Romeo and Elsie Horad House at 2118 University Boulevard West reflects the efforts and achievements of the Webster, Sewell, and Horad families to improve conditions for African American residents of Montgomery County. In particular, Romeo Horad, an African American lawyer and realtor, challenged racial restrictive covenants in the District of Columbia, demanded and lobbied for improved educational facilities and infrastructure for Black communities in Montgomery County, established a groundbreaking candidacy for the Montgomery County Council, and coordinated voter registration of African Americans in Maryland. All these actions occurred while the Horad family resided at the subject house, which served as a social and political meeting place. The residence further serves as a reminder of the former African American community established at the turn of the twentieth century in Wheaton.
Evaluation Process
Designation of resources to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation requires review by the HPC and Planning Board, and ultimately, a vote by the County Council. Each phase of the review offers opportunities for public comment and testimony on the proposed designation.
At a worksession and public hearing held in May 2024, the Historic Preservation Commission found that the Romeo and Elise Horad House satisfied the designation criteria for listing in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation and voted unanimously to recommend that the Planning Board and County Council designate the resource as a Master Plan Historic Site.
The proposed designation will be submitted to the Planning Board and County Council in coordination with the University Boulevard Corridor Plan in 2025. Information about those meetings will be posted once those dates have been established.