PERRY HALL, MD—The former Perry Hall School has been officially designated as a new historic landmark by Baltimore County, a move that will protect the nearly century-old building from demolition and major exterior changes. The designation, which becomes effective Aug. 21, 2025, also makes the property eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits.
The Baltimore County Council voted on July 7, 2025, to add the Perry Hall School and its surrounding setting, located at 9317 Belair Road, to the county’s Final Landmarks List. The decision followed a public hearing in May where community members voiced their support for the measure.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission initiated the process in November 2024, adding the school to the Preliminary Landmarks List. The commission recognized the building’s significance in several areas, including its role in the history of educational development in the area, its architectural style, and its design by the prominent local firm Smith and May.
Built in 1928, the school is considered a well-preserved example of an altered Colonial Revival-style school from the early 20th century. It originally housed six classrooms to serve the growing Perry Hall community. The building was later used as an “annex” in the 1970s to address school overcrowding and then served as a community center and the Gribbin Center from 1987 until the early 2020s.
The property is now owned by the Krause family, who have stated their intention to lease the building to a business that will serve the needs of the community.
Photo via the Baltimore County Department of Planning
