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Thomas H. Ward Papers

 Collection
Identifier: R0167-THW

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Scope and Contents

This collection documents the life and career of Thomas H. Ward (b.1927 – d. 2016), a former Baltimore Circuit Court judge, Baltimore City Councilman, president of Mount Royal Democratic Club, and founder of the Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fells point. The collection contains a significant amount of correspondence, collected newspaper clippings, reports, and legal documents documenting Ward’s work. Also present are a number photographs and pamphlets. Some significant topics represented in this collection include Urban Renewal in Baltimore, specifically in the Mount Royal-Fremont Area, and in other city locations; and notably, the collection includes materials related to Ward’s opposition to the Baltimore East-West Expressway which was part of the ‘Road Wars’ in Baltimore during the 1960s. Also present are materials relating to Ward’s election and time as a Circuit Court Judge, personal papers, and his work with other City Council issues such as trees ordinances and public transportation.

The materials of this collection are mainly textual including correspondence, newspaper clippings, City Council documentation and notes, reports, memoranda, personal writings and narratives, and legal documents. Other formats present include photographs and photographic negatives. The collection contains oversize materials.

Dates

  • 1952-2009

Creator

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

To the extent that they own copyright, the donor has assigned the copyright of this collection to the University Foundation. However, copyright in some items in this collection may be held by their respective creators.

Biographical Note

Thomas H. Ward (b. 1927 – d. 2016) was a prominent local political figure and judge in Baltimore City. He was born in West Baltimore. Ward was a Baltimore Circuit Court judge, Baltimore City Councilman, president of Mount Royal Democratic Club, and founder of the Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fells point. He was also a supporter of historic preservation in Baltimore and of the Irish Railroad Workers Museum.

Ward graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in 1945 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. In 1950 he earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, and in 1953 he graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar the same year. He then worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun and also worked with the B and O railroad.

Ward practiced law in Baltimore throuhgout his life. His first office was in a building that was once the home of Maryland Governor Edwin Warfield on Linden Ave. The building was condemned by the city during urban renewal projects in the 1960s. Ward became involved in many urban renewal issues and filed suits to preserve several neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Notably, Judge Ward opposed the proposed East-West Expressway in Baltimore and cast the only vote against the highway plan in 1967 during his term on City Council. He also filed lawsuits to protect Federal Hill and Fells Point, neighborhoods that could have been effected by the proposed highway.

In 1982 Ward ran and was elected to the Baltimore City Circuit Court. He retired in 1997. At age 87 in 2014, Ward was appointed Chairman of the Baltimore Liquor Board.

Information for this historical note was taken from the collection and also found through local newspaper obituaries.

Extent

4.08 Linear feet (4 containers)

Abstract

The collection documents the life and career of Thomas H. Ward, a former Baltimore Circuit Court judge, Baltimore City Councilman, president of Mount Royal Democratic Club, and founder of the Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fells point. The collection includes materials related Urban Renewal in Baltimore and Ward's opposition to the proposed East-West Expressway in the 1960s.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged into four series:

  • Biographical Materials and Judgeship
  • Urban Renewal Work
  • Baltimore East-West Expressway Work
  • Other City Council Work
Oversize materials are located in Box 4.

Custodial History

The collection was donated to the University of Baltimore Foundation by Patrick Ward in October 2018. The collection was transferred to Special Collections and Archives by Evans Paull and received by Aiden Faust in November 2018.

Related Materials

Related collections and materials held by Special Collections and Archives include but are not limited to: Baltimore ’68: Riots and Rebirth (digital exhibit), Baltimore Sixty-Eight Riots Collection, Movement Against Destruction Records, Southeast Council Against the Road Records, Southeast Community Organization Records, Baltimore Urban Renewal and Housing Authority Records, Mount Royal Improvement Association Records, Urban Renewal Files, Baltimore Heritage Records.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Laura Bell in 2019.

Title
Finding aid for the Thomas H. Ward Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Laura Bell (2019).
Date
January 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Baltimore Studies Archives Repository

Contact:
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons, Room 104
1415 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
410-837-4253