Gathered at the historic Asbury United Methodist Church at West All Saints and Court Streets, the heart of the thriving business district of the African American community in the early-to-mid-20th century, are: Kneeling (l-r): Historical Society of Frederick County Executive Director Mark Hudson and AARCH Society 2nd Vice President Michael North Back Row (l-r): AARCH Society 1st Vice President Kay Gant, Community Foundation Trustee Joy Onley, AARCH Society Board Members Belva King, Rose Chaney, Recording Secretary Mary Harris, David Key, President Bishop Samie Conyers, and Frederick Historic Sites Consortium Coordinator Liz Shatto

New Community Foundation Fund Supports Greater Understanding of African-American History in Frederick County

December 1, 2008: The significant history of African-Americans in Frederick County will come to life as the AARCH Society (African-American Resources – Cultural Heritage Society) opens a fund to support its mission at The Community Foundation of Frederick County.

Leaders of the AARCH Society, including Bishop Samie Conyers, President, sought the guidance and expertise of the Community Foundation to create The AARCH Fund to support the start-up activities of AARCH as it strives to identify, collect, preserve, exhibit, and disseminate the history and culture of African-Americans in Frederick County.

“The vision of the AARCH Society is to work with the community to one day establish an African-American Museum in Frederick County that will honor the great achievements of African-Americans who have been part of the fabric of this community for centuries,” said Bishop Conyers.

Conyers noted that civic and church leaders, educators, store owners, and everyday citizens overcame many obstacles of segregated communities in the past and have been instrumental in making Frederick County a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family today.

“By understanding the diverse past of Frederick County, the present and the future for all citizens are enriched. Together we can make a difference in a significant and lasting way by contributing to The AARCH Fund at the Community Foundation.”

Secure, online donations to The AARCH Fund may be made by clicking here. Donations by check, made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Simply insert The AARCH Fund in the check’s memo line. All donations are tax exempt to the fullest extent of the law.

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is a recognized leader in charitable giving in Frederick County, awarding more than $19 million in grants and scholarships since 1986. In FY08 alone, more than $2.7 million was given back to the community, thanks to generous donors who create funds or add to existing funds benefiting a variety of causes throughout Frederick County. Additional information about the Community Foundation is available by calling 301.695.7660.