New Grant Supports Frederick’s African American ‘Living Treasures’

We are honored to announce that AARCH Society has received a $5,000 IDEA grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation. Funding will support three key projects under the AARCH Society’s Living Treasures Program – an initiative which honors and celebrates Frederick County, Maryland seniors, aged 90 and above, by collecting, preserving, and sharing their stories to provide a richer understanding of our community’s history. The projects include: producing a follow-up to the documentary “Tale of Lion,” which premiered at Frederick’s Weinberg Center for the Arts in 2018, publishing a new edition of AARCH Society’s Living Treasures Cookbook, and supporting our annual Living Treasures Banquet. We are grateful for our partnership with the Ausherman Family Foundation and for their ongoing support of our Mission and operations.

The Living Treasures Program uses oral histories to further the AARCH Society’s mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing the African American history of Frederick County. The Living Treasures are living repositories of African American culture, traditions, and history. Our goal is for their stories to inspire, educate, and connect the community in profound ways. As one of our major initiatives, this program not only remembers the past, but ensures that experiences, culture, and traditions are passed down through generations. The Living Treasures Program will be a significant part of the exhibits and programs offered in the AARCH Society’s African American Heritage Center, benefiting students, the community, and visitors, which will open in 2025.