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Dumbhundred Historic District Nomination:
Reviews and Public Information
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HDAC News Update — Thurssday, October 22, 2026
HDAC News Update — Wednesday, October 20, 2026
Good news for the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination
On October 20, the
Governor’s Consulting Committee on the National Register of Historic Places
voted to approve the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination. The committee met at the Maryland Historical Trust offices in Crownsville and responded favorably to the nomination.
Committee members offered comments for the preparer to address. Two main questions focused on how Dumbhundred’s working-class housing contributes to its significance compared with other historic districts in Cumberland, and whether local industries such as brick yards, planing mills and a concrete block factory influenced the neighborhood’s buildings.
Once those comments are addressed, the nomination will be signed by Maryland Historical Trust Director and State Historic Preservation Officer Elizabeth Hughes, then forwarded to the National Park Service.
Maryland has up to 90 days from the committee meeting to send it. The National Park Service will make the final decision about listing.
The committee’s approval is an important step, but the district has not yet been listed in the National Register.
The proposed district includes about 590 contributing buildings and sites associated with Cumberland’s development from 1850 to 1930. The Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission voted to support the nomination on October 14.
Learn more about HDAC and the nomination process:
https://www.danmullininsurance.com/about-hdac
HDAC Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591244228410
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HDAC News Update — Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Good News for Cumberland’s Historic Dumbhundred Neighborhood!
An important milestone in the effort to obtain national historic recognition for Cumberland’s Dumbhundred neighborhood was reached Wednesday afternoon, October 14, 2026.
At its 4 p.m. meeting in Cumberland City Hall, the Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission voted to support the nomination of the Dumbhundred Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.
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Pictured from left to right: Dr. Brian Plitnik, member of the Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC); Larry Jackson, Chairperson of the Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission; and Nathan C. Williams, commission member.
The photograph was taken during the commission’s October 14, 2026, public hearing at Cumberland City Hall, where members voted to support the proposed Dumbhundred Historic District nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
Photo courtesy of the Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC).
Historic Preservation Commission Votes to Support National Register Nomination
HDAC News Update — Wednesday, October 14, 2026
The commission’s favorable recommendation followed a public hearing and presentation describing the neighborhood’s historical significance, distinctive architecture, and contributions to Cumberland’s development.
No opposition was expressed during the hearing, and the commission approved a motion supporting the nomination’s advancement for state consideration.
For Dumbhundred residents and everyone interested in Cumberland’s architectural heritage, this is encouraging news!
A Neighborhood with 590 Contributing Historic Resources
The proposed historic district includes approximately 590 contributing resources, including buildings, structures, and sites that help tell the story of Cumberland’s growth.
The district is generally bounded by Henderson, Franklin, Bedford, and Independence Streets.
The nomination identifies 1850 through 1930 as the neighborhood’s period of historical significance.
During those decades, Cumberland experienced tremendous industrial and commercial growth. Railroads, manufacturing, transportation, and expanding residential neighborhoods helped shape the city.
Dumbhundred’s streets and buildings preserve much of that history today.
Its architectural styles include Italianate, Queen Anne, Craftsman, American Foursquare, and Colonial Revival, along with traditional homes built by local craftsmen and builders.
The neighborhood is particularly interesting because its compact development reflects Cumberland’s hilly terrain, industrial heritage, and the practical needs of the families who lived and worked here.
The buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhood layout collectively tell an important part of Cumberland’s story.
What Happened at Wednesday’s Meeting?
The meeting was presided over by Larry Jackson, Chairperson of the Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission.
Participating commission members included Nathan C. Williams, Dr. Brian Plitnik, who also serves as president of the Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC), and Tim Hoffman, who participated remotely.
City personnel included Jeffrey F. Silka, City Administrator, and Erica Beeman, Codes Technician.
Dawn Hein, the city’s Historic Preservation/City Planner, serves as a contact for the commission and its preservation activities.
During the hearing, commissioners received an overview of the completed nomination, which builds upon earlier historic resource documentation conducted in 2004.
The presentation explained that the proposed district meets the historical and architectural standards for consideration under two National Register criteria:
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Criterion A: Association with significant historical events and broad patterns of development.
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Criterion C: Architectural significance through distinctive building styles, periods, construction methods, and design characteristics.
Following the presentation, the commission invited public comments.
No opposition was expressed.
A motion supporting the nomination was made, seconded, and approved.
The commission also discussed the potential benefits of National Register recognition, including preservation incentives for qualifying properties.
What Does This Mean for Property Owners?
An important point raised during the meeting concerned the effect of National Register recognition on private property owners.
Listing in the National Register does not, by itself, impose new restrictions on how private owners maintain, renovate, or use their properties.
National Register recognition is different from establishing a locally regulated historic preservation district.
Certain historic rehabilitation tax credits may be available for qualifying properties and approved projects, subject to applicable requirements.
The nomination seeks to recognize and document the neighborhood’s historical significance. It does not, by itself, require homeowners to restore their properties or change how they live.
What Happens Next?
Wednesday’s vote represents an important local endorsement, but the nomination must complete additional steps before National Register designation can be granted.
1. Cumberland Mayor and City Council
The commission’s favorable recommendation and supporting documentation will be presented for local consideration.
2. Maryland Historical Trust State Review Board — October 20, 2026
The nomination is scheduled for consideration at the State Review Board’s Tuesday, October 20 meeting.
3. National Park Service
Following the required state procedures and approvals, the nomination may advance to the National Park Service for federal review and a final determination concerning National Register listing.
Each stage brings the neighborhood closer to possible national recognition.
A Neighborhood Worth Recognizing
The story of Dumbhundred is part of the larger story of Cumberland.
Its homes, streets, architectural details, and generations of residents reflect a period when Cumberland was growing into a major center of industry, commerce, and transportation.
Historic recognition helps document that story for future generations.
The Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC) has been working to keep neighborhood residents informed, encourage community involvement, and share the history that makes this part of Cumberland distinctive.
Wednesday’s favorable vote is an encouraging development for everyone who appreciates Cumberland’s historic neighborhoods.
Congratulations to the Dumbhundred community on reaching this important milestone!
HDAC will continue reporting on developments as the nomination proceeds through the remaining stages of local, state, and federal review.
Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC)
Cumberland, Maryland
October 14, 2026
Dan Mullin
Secretary, HDAC
Receive Occasional HDAC News Updates
Residents and other interested members of the community are invited to sign up for occasional email updates about the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination and neighborhood activities.
Sign up here:
https://dmullin10019.wixforms.com/f/7513050971560215630
What National Historic Recognition Could Mean for Cumberland’s Dumbhundred Neighborhood
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A look at comparable historic neighborhoods, preservation benefits, and opportunities for homeowners
Cumberland, Maryland — October 2026
The proposed Dumbhundred Historic District in Cumberland, Maryland, is approaching an important milestone in its consideration for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled to consider the nomination on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, followed by state-level consideration on October 20. If the nomination advances through the required reviews, it could be forwarded to the National Park Service for a final listing decision.
The proposed historic district encompasses a little over 100 acres of an established Cumberland residential neighborhood, containing houses and other buildings that reflect the city’s architectural, social, and economic development.
But what could National Register recognition actually mean for the neighborhood and the people who live there?
Experiences in other historic neighborhoods, particularly those in Maryland, West Virginia, and neighboring Appalachian communities, provide useful comparisons. They demonstrate both the opportunities associated with historic recognition and the importance of distinguishing documented benefits from anticipated improvements.
Comparable Historic Neighborhoods
1. Warwood Historic District — Wheeling, West Virginia
National Register listing: May 7, 2025
Warwood is a historically industrial and residential neighborhood in Wheeling, a city whose development, like Cumberland’s, was closely associated with railroads, manufacturing, and transportation.
The Warwood Historic District contains approximately 1,214 contributing buildings and structures, making it considerably larger than the proposed Dumbhundred district.
Its designation followed years of historical research, architectural surveying, and preservation planning.
Wheeling Heritage conducted historical research and a neighborhood survey in 2016 and 2017, along with developing a walking tour highlighting Warwood’s history and architecture. Additional survey and nomination work eventually led to its official National Register listing in May 2025.
The designation provides qualifying property owners with potential access to historic rehabilitation incentives. It also establishes an official historical record of the neighborhood’s development.
Because the designation occurred only recently, long-term changes in property values, private investment, and neighborhood conditions cannot yet be reliably attributed to the listing.
Warwood provides a particularly useful example of how a residential neighborhood with industrial roots can achieve national recognition through a coordinated effort involving preservation organizations, historians, and local government.
2. Frostburg Historic District — Frostburg, Maryland
National Register listing: September 8, 1983
Frostburg provides an especially relevant geographical and historical comparison.
Located approximately 10 miles west of Cumberland, Frostburg developed through coal mining, transportation, commerce, and the growth of residential neighborhoods during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
According to the Maryland Historical Trust, the Frostburg Historic District encompasses approximately 356 historic resources, including residential, commercial, industrial, and religious buildings.
Its architectural character includes Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and other styles reflecting the development of Western Maryland communities.
The National Register nomination documents how these buildings collectively represent Frostburg’s historical importance, rather than recognizing only a handful of prominent landmarks.
Frostburg demonstrates how the historical character of an entire community can receive lasting recognition.
Its listing also provides a framework for preservation planning and potential rehabilitation incentives.
The available designation records do not, however, establish a specific increase in property values or neighborhood investment caused by National Register listing alone.
3. Hagerstown Historic District — Hagerstown, Maryland
National Register listing: February 2, 1994
Hagerstown offers another useful comparison because its historic residential neighborhoods developed alongside railroad facilities, factories, commercial districts, and transportation corridors.
The Maryland Historical Trust identifies 456 historic resources in the Hagerstown Historic District.
Its streets include nineteenth-century houses, early twentieth-century residences, commercial buildings, and former industrial properties.
The district includes Hagerstown’s historic downtown and surrounding residential neighborhoods, documenting the city’s transformation during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Like Cumberland, Hagerstown developed as an important regional transportation and commercial center.
National Register recognition established an official record of this architectural and historical heritage and provides a basis for preservation planning and potential rehabilitation incentives.
Hagerstown’s experience illustrates how several adjoining residential neighborhoods can collectively tell the story of a city’s growth.
Although the district is more commercially diverse than Dumbhundred, the historical parallels are substantial.
Potential Financial Benefits for Dumbhundred Homeowners
One of the most tangible opportunities associated with National Register recognition is eligibility for historic rehabilitation tax incentives.
Maryland administers the Historic Revitalization Tax Credit Program, which includes a homeowner component.
According to the Maryland Historical Trust, qualifying homeowners may receive a Maryland state income tax credit equal to 20 percent of eligible rehabilitation expenditures, subject to program requirements.
The program generally requires a minimum of $5,000 in qualifying rehabilitation expenses and permits a maximum homeowner credit of $50,000 within a 24-month period.
For example, a homeowner completing an approved $10,000 rehabilitation project could potentially qualify for a $2,000 state income tax credit.
An approved $25,000 project could potentially qualify for a $5,000 credit.
An approved $50,000 project could potentially qualify for a $10,000 credit.
These examples illustrate the program’s calculation and do not represent automatic payments or guaranteed approvals.
Eligibility depends on the property’s historic status, the proposed work, applicable preservation standards, and approval by the Maryland Historical Trust.
For a house within a National Register district, the building generally must be recognized as a contributing historic resource to qualify through that designation.
Merely being located within the district boundaries does not automatically establish eligibility.
Homeowners considering rehabilitation should consult the Maryland Historical Trust before beginning work because the application and review process can affect eligibility.
The City of Cumberland also publishes information about historic preservation financial incentives, providing another resource for residents interested in learning about available programs.
Other Potential Neighborhood Benefits
Preservation of Architectural Character
Historic district recognition documents the architectural features and historical relationships that distinguish a neighborhood.
For Dumbhundred, this could provide a lasting record of its houses, streets, development patterns, and connections to Cumberland’s growth.
Such documentation can be useful to homeowners, researchers, preservation organizations, and future generations.
The historical surveys and nomination materials themselves become valuable resources for understanding how a neighborhood developed and why its surviving buildings are significant.
Neighborhood Identity and Community Pride
Formal recognition can encourage greater awareness of a neighborhood’s history.
Residents may develop renewed interest in researching their houses, documenting family histories, restoring architectural features, and participating in neighborhood activities.
Warwood’s historical walking tour provides a practical example of how preservation research can be used to encourage public appreciation of a residential community.
In Dumbhundred, similar efforts could help residents and visitors understand the relationship between individual houses and Cumberland’s larger historical development.
Heritage Tourism and Historical Education
Cumberland already has established historical attractions associated with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and the city’s transportation heritage.
A nationally recognized Dumbhundred Historic District could provide another opportunity for interpreting Cumberland’s history.
Possible community initiatives include historical walking tours, informational signs, architectural guides, photographic exhibits, and online histories.
These activities could complement Cumberland’s existing historical attractions and encourage visitors to learn about the residential neighborhoods that developed alongside the city’s commercial and industrial centers.
Such activities would require separate planning and local participation. National Register designation does not automatically fund or establish them.
Consideration in Federally Assisted Projects
Properties listed in the National Register receive consideration under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act when federal undertakings may affect historic resources.
This process requires federal agencies to consider potential effects on historic properties and provide opportunities for consultation.
It does not guarantee that every proposed project will be prevented or that historic buildings can never be altered.
Nevertheless, it establishes an important process for considering historic preservation when federally assisted activities may affect a recognized district.
What National Register Designation Does Not Require
An important consideration for Dumbhundred residents is the distinction between federal historic recognition and local historic preservation regulations.
The National Park Service explains that National Register listing, by itself, generally does not restrict what private property owners may do with their properties when federal involvement is absent.
In particular, listing does not automatically require homeowners to open their houses to the public, seek federal approval for ordinary private renovations, restore their buildings, or obtain permission to sell their properties.
It also does not automatically establish local historic zoning restrictions.
Separate local ordinances, preservation easements, or other legal requirements may apply independently of National Register status.
National Register designation also does not guarantee grants, tax credits, or increases in property values.
These distinctions are important because historic recognition is sometimes confused with government regulation of private property.
The National Register is primarily a program of historical recognition and preservation encouragement, rather than a general system of federal control over privately owned buildings.
What Can Be Learned From Other Communities?
The comparisons with Warwood, Frostburg, and Hagerstown support several conclusions.
First, National Register recognition can establish a permanent and authoritative historical record for a neighborhood whose significance lies in the collective character of its buildings and streets.
Second, designation can create opportunities for qualifying property owners to use preservation incentives that help offset the expense of maintaining historic buildings.
Third, recognition can support locally organized historical education, walking tours, preservation activities, and neighborhood identity.
Finally, the available evidence does not justify assuming that designation alone will increase property values, attract substantial private investment, or reverse neighborhood economic challenges.
Those outcomes depend on additional factors, including housing demand, homeowner resources, available financing, public investment, and community participation.
The experiences of other communities suggest that historic recognition is most useful when accompanied by continued neighborhood involvement and practical efforts to preserve and maintain historic properties.
Looking Ahead for Dumbhundred
For Cumberland’s Dumbhundred neighborhood, National Register recognition would represent the formal acknowledgment of a residential community’s place in the city’s history.
The neighborhood’s historic houses and streets tell part of the larger story of Cumberland’s development as a transportation, commercial, and industrial center in Western Maryland.
Comparable historic districts demonstrate that recognition can be more than an honorary designation, particularly when residents make use of available rehabilitation programs and local organizations build upon the historical documentation.
The most immediate benefits would be the official recognition of the district’s historical significance, the preservation of its documented history, and potential eligibility for rehabilitation incentives.
Additional benefits could develop gradually through individual homeowner improvements, community preservation efforts, historical interpretation, and neighborhood activities.
National Register recognition would not mark the completion of Dumbhundred’s preservation story. It would provide a nationally recognized foundation upon which residents, property owners, and the Cumberland community could build.
Principal Authorities and References
1. National Park Service — National Register of Historic Places
Official explanation of the listing process, recognition benefits, and property owner rights.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/how-to-list-a-property.htm
2. Maryland Historical Trust — Historic Revitalization Homeowner Tax Credit
Official eligibility requirements, qualifying rehabilitation expenses, application procedures, and tax-credit limits.
https://mht.maryland.gov/funding/tax-credits/homeowner-tax-credit
3. Maryland Comptroller — Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
State tax guidance explaining qualifying historic properties and rehabilitation tax-credit provisions.
4. Wheeling Heritage — Warwood Historic Preservation Project
Background on the neighborhood’s historical survey, architectural research, and preservation efforts.
https://wheelingheritage.org/project/warwood/
5. Warwood Historic District — 2025 National Register Recognition
Account of the neighborhood’s designation, historical research, and preservation process.
https://weelunk.com/growing-up-warwood-a-neighborhood-officially-honored/
6. Maryland Historical Trust — Frostburg Historic District
Official National Register description and historical documentation.
https://apps.mht.maryland.gov/nr/NRDetail.aspx?NRID=760
7. Maryland Historical Trust — Hagerstown Historic District
Official National Register description and historical documentation.
https://apps.mht.maryland.gov/nr/NRDetail.aspx?NRID=1117
8. City of Cumberland — Historic Preservation Financial Incentives
Municipal information about historic rehabilitation incentives and available preservation programs.
https://www.cumberlandmd.gov/709/Financial-Incentives
This article provides an informational review of National Register recognition and comparable historic neighborhoods. Historic district approval, property eligibility, financial incentives, and future neighborhood outcomes are subject to applicable requirements and individual circumstances.
HDAC NEWS UPDATE
Monday, October 12, 2026
Important Public Hearing — Wednesday, October 14
The City of Cumberland has officially announced that its Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed Dumbhundred Historic District nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
The announcement was published by the City on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Meeting Details
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Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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Time: 4:00 PM
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Location: City Hall Council Chambers
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What Will Be Considered?
The Historic Preservation Commission will review
the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination according to the National Register criteria.
This is an important step in the ongoing process toward potential recognition of the Dumbhundred neighborhood as a National Register Historic District.
Official City of Cumberland References
1. Official Public Hearing Announcement
https://www.cumberlandmd.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1706
2. Official October 14 Meeting Calendar
https://www.cumberlandmd.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=967
3. City Meeting Agendas and Minutes
https://cumberlandmd.portal.civicclerk.com/
As of Monday morning, October 12, the complete October 14 HPC agenda has not yet been independently verified as posted. The city’s official announcement does confirm the Dumbhundred public hearing.
HDAC encourages interested neighborhood residents, property owners, and community members to stay informed about this important milestone.
We will continue sharing official updates as the nomination moves through the review process.
Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC)
HDAC NEWS UPDATE
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
There is a lot happening right now with the Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC), and we want to make it as easy as possible for neighborhood residents and others who are interested to keep up with the latest information.
Sign Up for Occasional HDAC Email Updates
HDAC now has a simple way for members of the community to sign up to receive occasional news and updates by email.
These will not be daily emails or advertising. They will simply provide important updates from time to time about the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination, upcoming meetings, community information, and other matters of interest to the neighborhood.
The HDAC EMAIL NEWS sign-up link is publicly available in two easy-to-find places:
• HDAC Facebook Page: Look at the top of the HDAC Facebook page, where the link is available for the public.
• HDAC Website: Go to the Information Center page and scroll to the final button on the page. It is labeled for receiving HDAC email updates.
Anyone interested in following the progress of the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination and other HDAC activities is welcome to sign up.
Door Hangers Are Going Out in the Neighborhood
HDAC volunteers have also begun distributing informational door hangers throughout the proposed Dumbhundred Historic District.
The door hangers were designed to give residents a useful introduction to what is happening without requiring anyone to answer the door or attend a meeting.
The front begins with a positive message — “Congratulations!” — and explains that the property is located within the area being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
The back provides additional information and answers some of the questions residents may have about the nomination.
Perhaps most importantly, each door hanger includes two QR codes that residents can scan with a phone:
• One takes them directly to the HDAC Facebook page, where current news and updates are posted.
• The other takes them directly to the About HDAC page on the HDAC website, where they can learn more about the committee, the neighborhood, and the historic district nomination.
The door hangers are intended to be something residents can keep and refer to later. Instead of trying to put every detail on one piece of paper, they provide the essential information and then give residents an easy way to reach HDAC’s online resources whenever they want to learn more.
Keeping the Community Informed
The door hangers, Facebook page, HDAC website, Information Center, and new email update sign-up all serve the same purpose: making reliable information about the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination readily available to the community.
Residents do not have to rely on word of mouth. They can read the information themselves, follow developments as they occur, and decide how involved they would like to be.
As the nomination process continues, HDAC will continue posting updates and providing opportunities for residents to learn more.
Historic Dumbhundred Action Committee (HDAC)
Working to document, recognize, and preserve the history of Cumberland’s Dumbhundred neighborhood.
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ONE WEEK TO GO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 14
We are now just one week away from an important step for the Dumbhundred Historic District nomination. On Wednesday, October 14, the City of Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission will review the proposed historic district as part of the local review process. This is an important milestone for the neighborhood and for the many residents who have been following the nomination. HDAC will continue to share information as the meeting approaches and will report on what happens afterward.
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The proposed Dumbhundred Historic District nomination is moving through two separate reviews before a decision is made about listing it in the National Register of Historic Places. The Cumberland review and the state review are independent; a recommendation from one does not replace the other.
October 14: Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission
The Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission is expected to review the nomination on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The City lists its regular meetings for the second Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers.
See the City of Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission page and the City’s official Agendas & Minutes portal. The City says agendas are available 48 hours before the meeting.
City of Cumberland staff contact: Dawn Hein,
Historic Preservation/City Planner
Phone: 301-759-6431
October 20: Governor’s Consulting Committee
The Governor’s Consulting Committee on the National Register of Historic Places will review the nomination on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Maryland Historical Trust offices, 100 Community Place, Crownsville. The official agenda lists the Dumbhundred Historic District under Allegany County.
See the Maryland Historical Trust’s Governor’s Consulting Committee page, its Public Meeting Agendas & Minutes page, and the official October 20 meeting listing and agenda.
What happens after the reviews?
If both bodies recommend the nomination, the Maryland Historical Trust may forward it to the National Park Service. The National Park Service makes the final decision about National Register listing. Neither October meeting by itself means the district has been listed.
The National Register recognizes historic significance. Listing may help qualifying properties become eligible for preservation incentives, but it does not automatically award tax credits or funding. National Register listing alone does not require an owner to restore a building or obtain federal approval for ordinary, privately funded changes. Separate local rules and requirements tied to certain government assistance may still apply. See the National Park Service’s guide to National Register nominations.
Public comments and property-owner objections
Members of the public may send written comments about the nomination to the Maryland Historical Trust before the October 20 review.
Private property owners within the proposed district have a separate process for making a formal objection to listing. The published notice requires a notarized statement confirming that the person is a sole or partial owner and objects to listing. An ordinary email, letter, or Facebook comment does not take the place of that formal objection. The notice says objections must be submitted by the October 20 meeting date; owners should allow time for delivery and contact Jessica French for instructions.
If a majority of private property owners formally objects, the district cannot be listed. It may still be evaluated for National Register eligibility, which can affect review of certain federally assisted projects.
Maryland Historical Trust contact: Jessica French
Email: jessica.french@maryland.gov
Phone: 410-697-9623
Send written comments and formal objections to:
Elizabeth Hughes, State Historic Preservation Officer
Attention: Jessica French
Maryland Historical Trust
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032-2023
How can I tell whether my property is included?
Request the official nomination and boundary map from the Maryland Historical Trust. The map is the best way to check whether a property falls within the proposed district. The HDAC map PDF and official Maryland district-map PDF are also available here.
Official documents and sources
This community summary draws on the published legal notice and National Park Service background information. It does not replace the official notice or nomination documents.
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Confirm on Map below on this page:
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Dumbhundred’s Place in History:
What National Register Recognition Could Mean for You
Dumbhundred is a historic neighborhood in the northern part of Cumberland, centered around Columbia Street, between Henderson Avenue and the hillside surrounding St. Patrick Cemetery.
Click on image of map for PDF (for zooming in or printing.)
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HDAC is a not-for-profit community organization dedicated to promoting maintenance, beautification, and other improvements in Cumberland’s historic Dumbhundred district, helping create a safer,more attractive neighborhood with a better quality of life for all.
HDAC is not incorporated and does not currently have federal tax-exempt status.
Where did the name come from?
A Neighborhood Legend: One Story Behind the Name The origin of the unusual name “Dumbhundred” has never been conclusively established, but an enduring neighborhood legend offers one colorful explanation. According to the story, the district was originally known simply as “the Hundred,” perhaps because it encompassed approximately one hundred acres. As German and other immigrant families settled in the neighborhood during the nineteenth century, many initially spoke little English. Outsiders supposedly began calling the area the “Dumb Hundred,” using the word “dumb” in its older sense of being unable to speak. Another version, recorded in a Cumberland newspaper column in 1985, attributes the name to Welsh coal miners who lived in Cumberland’s North End. Their unfamiliar speech or accents may likewise have inspired the nickname. Neither explanation has been definitively proven, but the different versions preserve an intriguing piece of Cumberland’s immigrant and working-class folklore. The German version is especially plausible within the neighborhood’s broader history. The area had a strong German cultural presence, including breweries and the German Lutheran congregation that built Cumberland’s Town Clock Church in 1848. Whether the name arose from German immigrants, Welsh miners, the neighborhood’s approximate acreage, or some combination of these circumstances, “Dumbhundred” remains one of Cumberland’s most distinctive and memorable neighborhood names. Further reading: Cumberland News, November 3, 1985 and the Maryland Historical Trust’s Medusa cultural-resources database.
The area of the Dumbhundred Historic District is approximately
150 acres - just under one quarter of a square mile.
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Dumbhundred in Cumberland’s Official Planning Report
HDAC executive summary | October 16, 2026
Source: 2025–2029 City of Cumberland Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan (7/31/25) (203-page city report).
Page 2 — Housing rehabilitation proposal
The city proposes $150,000 to rehabilitate homes in the Dumbhundred historic neighborhood, with a stated goal
of 15 housing units.
Pages 104–105 — Neighborhood history and designation
The plan describes Dumbhundred’s historic immigrant heritage and discusses efforts toward National Register
historic district recognition and opportunities associated with historic preservation.
as a “Local Target area” for housing
DumbHundred Historic Preservation Area among the geographic areas affected by its
Pages 122–123 — Named local target area
The city expressly lists “DumbHundred Historic Preservation Area” revitalization. The report discusses housing needs, boundaries and the ongoing nomination process.
Page 126 — Affordable housing priorities
The plan includes affordable-housing priority.
Page 142 — Five-year goal table
The plan identifies $150,000 in CDBG funding and a goal of areas, including Dumbhundred, Wills and Virginia Avenue.
What this means for HDAC.
The report independently documents the city’s recognition of Dumbhundred as a
distinct preservation and housing priority. Funding figures are planning proposals/goals, not evidence of
completed awards or expenditures.
The plan predates the October 14, 2026 commission action.
Read the full city document: Official 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan (PDF)
Highlighted wording is selected from, or summarizes, the cited report sections; this is a concise editorial extract rather than a facsimile
of the original pages. Page numbers refer to the report’s printed numbering.
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