OCEAN CITY, Md. -- The Henry Hotel, a relic from the Jim Crow era, stands as a solemn reminder of a time when few establishments in the resort town welcomed black patrons. Vacant for over two decades, the Henry Hotel is now set to undergo a transformation, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Henry Hotel Foundation and a $250,000 grant from the state of Maryland.
The first phase of the restoration project, slated to commence this fall, focuses on the installation of a foundational support. This crucial step, funded by the Maryland Historical Trust, lays the groundwork for the hotel's eventual transformation into a museum and learning center. The revamped facility will chronicle the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during a tumultuous period in history.
Governor Wes Moore highlighted the project during the recent Maryland Board of Public Works meeting.
"The board is being asked to approve funding for projects that include community centers and fraternity halls, from historic churches and cemeteries," said Moore. "Historic houses, fire house, historic funeral home and also a historic hotel."
Moore then said he wanted to take a quick second to talk about that hotel. That hotel being The Henry Hotel.
"Despite the fact of suffering years and decades and generations of discrimination, that just as the hotel received it's refurbishing, that it's also helping to tell the story of 'despite it all, still I rise,'" said Moore.
The grant, a pivotal contribution to the restoration initiative, and the words spoken by Governor Moore, were met with enthusiasm by Nancy Howard, representing the Henry Hotel Foundation. "
"Well, you could've scraped me up off the floor, and then he[Governor Moore] waxed poetic about The Henry Hotel," said Howard.
Zach Bankert, Director of the Ocean City Development Corporation, the group instrumental in securing the grant, said the funding is a huge first step.
"This project has taken a long time to get underway, a lot of people put a lot of hard work into it, and we're really happy to see that it's finally getting some traction," Bankert commented.
The Henry Hotel holds a unique place in history, having provided shelter to prominent figures in African American entertainment, including Duke Ellington, when other Ocean City hotels denied them accommodation.
Once the foundational work is complete this fall, the exterior of the building will be sealed, and then the interior of the building will get fixed up. The ultimate goal: transforming the Henry Hotel into a place of remembrance and education about the nation's history.