MIDDLETOWN, Md. (WDVM) — A historical fixture in Frederick County, Maryland is being uprooted this week.

Middletown Maryland and its Main Street, which is also the Old National Road, have a shared history that reaches back further than our Nation’s founding.  Known for its historic charm, Main Street Middletown is one of the most photographed places in the area.  These beautiful buildings, built in 1870 first served as a harness shop, and for the last 60 years, it was a barbershop. 

Determined to preserve history, Main Street Middletown, MD Inc., recently purchased the buildings and is renovating them to be a new visitor-welcome center and the organization’s new office space. As a result, the building is being lifted so its foundations can be replaced.

“We are super excited to be preserving this part of main street’s history,” said Becky Axilbund, Executive Director of Main Street Middletown, MD Inc. “The nonprofit, Main Street Middleton, promotes historic preservation and economic development of the local economy. This project hits both of those target areas so we’re really happy about that. “

The buildings will be lifted on Thursday, February 25. Now, the building is not actually going anywhere. It will be raised about 4 feet and placed on structural steel beams resting on temporary wooden cribbing, while the foundation is being replaced. The project is being managed by the Hagerstown-based company, Kellgard General Contracting, LLC  .

Although there is no exact deadline, the project is hopefully expected to be complete before the year’s end. Organizers are still in the midst of fundraising for the project. If you would like to donate to the project, click here.