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Baltimore City Heritage Area Grant
Awarded to the Baltimore Hostel

On Friday, October 7, 2005—18 hours after the photography show and vegetable platters and drinks at the October Open House were packed up—we got some outstanding news. The Baltimore Hostel was awarded a Baltimore City Heritage Area Grant from the Mayor's office! They awarded the Hostel $12,000 for renovations of the public-use spaces (which we will have to match with $12,000 of our own).

The awards ceremony was Monday, October 24, when Mayor O'Malley personally presented the award to the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International USA.

Perhaps Denny Lynch, the photographer (and everyone there that night, including event planner Mary Jane German) helped bring us some good luck. Or maybe it was the Open House with Esha Janssens-Sannon in June (thanks to event planner Teresa Duggan) ... or the Travel Talk by Julie Sanches at the Baltimore Central Library in July ... or the bike events organized by Bob Moore and Jeffrey Marks ... or the recent work parties by the Friends of the Baltimore Hostel, led by Dave and Jean Toleman, John Russell, Bea Wilkins, and Carl Sandine.

Kudos to the Potomac Area Council Board as well for committing in April to spend $15,000 on future renovations, which the Mayor's office saw in the newsletter we enclosed. Of course, without Carol Bier and Brad Rogers (of Baltimore Landmark Homes), we would never have known about these heritage grants. Thanks also to John Wills for preparing the grant application, and to David French and Steve Bloomfield for the required photos and documents.

So everyone, please walk by this building at 17 W. Mulberry with renewed pride, and feel the love you all created there, which the City is now noting!

Anyone with energy, ideas or expertise for renovations (upstairs and downstairs!) at the Baltimore Hostel this fall, winter or spring, please contact Dave Toleman. With your help, the hostel will be ready to open to travelers again soon! Play a part in this city's history.

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