We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jan Sharik Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jan , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a young person, as far back as in high school, if not before, I had an interest in knowing the history of my heritage. We were a military family and moved around the country every few years so I often was new to an area and sometimes felt like the proverbial fish out of water. My father was the son of Eastern European immigrants and had lived his first 9 years in Slovakia, but my mother’s story was very different. She was descended from the Colonial founders of our nation. Her roots came from early Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Lancaster County, and her Maryland roots began here in the 1630s.

We were blessed to have family information going back a few generations, but each new discovery I have made since has opened my eyes to the richness of our area’s founding stories, and the strides we have made growing and improving on the legacy of the brave people who came here to make their way in an unfamiliar place.

I was fortunate to be somewhat of a joiner so I became involved with some genealogical and historical societies. A few years back, I visited the Benson-Hammond House in Linthicum, MD, a farm museum and historical site. Upon learning that the house was built in 1820 by my 3rd cousin 6 times removed Thomas Benson, I began my association of learning more and telling the exciting stories of the early farmers who lived and worked in northern Anne Arundel County.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a non-profit organization our mission is to continue to tell the stories of the farming families of our county.

The Ann Arrundell County Historical Society was formed in 1962, and for a Bi-Centennial project in 1976, the group took on the project of refurbishing, and therefore saving, the Benson-Hammond House, which was the only farmhouse saved from destruction when the then Friendship Airport was being built in about 1947. It had fallen into deep disrepair and took an astounding effort of these devoted people to make it happen. Since its opening as a museum in 1982, the AACHS has successfully maintained the property as an all volunteer endeavor.

When I began my association, first as just a volunteer, then later as the director, I had no idea where my efforts would lead me and how much I would be personally enriched by teaching others these stories. .

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My career for the past 45 years has been in retail as a professional floral designer. During that time, I have also taught floral design through the Adult Education Program for Baltimore County Public Schools as well as Adjunct Faculty at the Community College of Baltimore County. In addition to running a retail store, I have coordinated numerous weddings and events. That experience in dealing with the every day financials of a small business, as well as interacting with the public to fulfill their expectations and visions, has given me tools to understand the many needs of maintaining an historic property and staff of volunteers, having only fund raising and donations to make it happen,

A few years ago, I semi-retired from my chosen field and devoted more time to my genealogical studies and have since joined a number of heritage societies such as The Daughters of the American Revolution on 2020 and the Daughters of the War of 1812 in 2022.

In 2021, I started a business with an office in Baltimore City. I purchased the assets of a company that had shut down during the pandemic and have revived it and am working in an entirely new field for myself- card access, building security, elevator control and cameras. With the talents and experience of the staff that worked for the previous owner, we are able to service long term customers and to reach new businesses. We are expanding and just moved into new offices and are looking toward the future.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The initial group that revitalized the Benson-Hammond House, relied on a small grant, raising money from the community, and the hard work of the volunteers.

Over the years, we have had festivals, dinners, and craft fairs as a way to make money to keep the grass cut and the doors open. Since my joining the group, I have recently instituted concerts, offered changing themes for displays and brought in speakers to hopefully draw people in to visit. It is a constant journey to try to maintain such an old property that regularly needs repairs and maintenance. We are blessed a couple of years ago to receive a grant for repairs from the State of Maryland with the assistance of Delegate Mark Chang. I have met with contractors, worked with them during that process, and we are happy to report that the house is looking wonderful with some new windows, repairs throughout the main floor and other great improvements. But, there are always expenses and we are actively fund raising to fix an out building on the grounds- our Tack House.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aachs.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bensonhammond/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064571684593
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNnNLaCdZWLY2BW2cEryFg