While it is interesting to delve in Montgomery County’s distant past–the early settlers, the Indian scouts, the tobacco culture–Mary Kay’s focus has always been on the County’s suburban development. Our proximity to Washington, D.C. has been, and continues to be, a force in the development of Montgomery County, helping to shape it into an area of contradictions. From urban Bethesda to rural Hyattstown, the Technology Corridor to the Agricultural Reserve– contrasts like these make Montgomery County a fascinating case study in 20th century suburban development. In many areas the county has been a leader in urban/suburban/rural planning and it is this leadership role and the conflicting community needs that Mary Kay finds so fascinating.
Therefore, it was quite natural that when the Board of Directors asked Mary Kay if she wanted a legacy project, her choice involved suburban studies. Her vision is to have a Center for Suburban Studies that would fund a fellowship for researching suburbanization and its impact on the county. While all the details are still to be worked out, the Center will have an advisory board made up of community leaders with varied expertise: planning, historical research, community ties, finances. We hope that you’ll agree that the Center for Suburban Studies will enhance the Historical Society’s ability to better document the historical dynamic of Montgomery County.
Former MCHS President Terry Beaty has very generously offered to match contributions to the Mary Kay Harper Center for Suburban Studies as a way to honor Mary Kay for her years of service. This is a wonderful opportunity for all MCHS members to show their gratitude to Mary Kay by taking advantage of this match. You should have received notice of the campaign for this fascinating new educational center by separate mailing.