The Montgomery County (Maryland) Parks Department is having a severe ethical crisis. We all have the chance to help them do the right thing. Please read this astonishing story carefully and take action.

This is the home of Marilyn Boyd DeReggi in Boyds, Maryland. It is one of the most historic homes in Montgomery County, having been lived in by Colonel Boyd in the 19th century. Colonel Boyd built the the B&O Railroad – of Monopoly fame. The railroad is located right across the street.

Colonel James Alexander Boyd was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland, on December 22, 1823.
He bought 130 acres in what is now Boyds, Maryland as a camp for men working on the line, many of whom were former slaves.
Letters tell that Boyd so liked the area that he bought an additional 1100 acres for himself. When the Presbyterian Church was built in 1876, the community of Boyds was established.
He died in Boyds in 1896, a day short of his 73rd birthday. The Rockville Advocate in 1890 wrote: “Nothing could better illustrate the influence of one intelligent, enterprising and public-spirited man in a community than the complete revolution in the entire order of things wrought by Col. Boyd”
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The property is owned by the people of Maryland, and managed by the Montgomery County Parks Department. During the 1980’s and early 1990’s they had employees living there, and had let the home fall desperately into disrepair – to the point that it was under threat of demolition. The pictures below were taken in the early 1990s, while the house was being occupied by Parks Department employees.


Someone at the Parks Department had the good sense to realize that they needed help, and put out a request for a curatorship. Marilyn Boyd DeReggi and her family answered the call. The DeReggis spent over a million dollars fixing up the house, and turned it into one of the finest properties in the county. Their agreement with the county was a 20 year renewable lease, where the DeReggis agreed to restore the house, and turn it into a guest house and cultural center.






Hundreds of people from all over the world have stayed at this home. Here is a letter received from a couple who stayed there last weekend.
“This was the most wonderful stay that my fiancé and I have had so far! The Boyds Farm is the most lovely location. The land and the lake nearby giving us the most beautiful view. The home is exquisite and is in pristine condition, even with the extremely cold weather outside, we were perfectly warm and comfortable. The beauty of the home, which was immaculate and warm and inviting, cannot compare to the beauty of this wonderful woman. Marilyn herself is a treasure, she sat down with us, made us breakfast, spent time with us, invited us out, and shared her beautiful story with us. If you get the opportunity, please book a stay in this beautiful home. Thank you Marilyn! You really made our Valentine’s weekend special!”
“I cannot thank you enough for your generosity in hosting us! Josh and I are both very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you, and to stay in this incredible, historic home. We will most definitely be back the moment the warmer weather hits. Thank you so much! Bekah & Josh”
The 20 year lease has expired, and the County is trying to kick Marilyn out of the house. No one knows what their motivation is, but they have made absolutely nonsensical claims that she didn’t take care of the property – the exact opposite of reality. The county failed to maintain the property, and Marilyn’s stewardship has been nothing short of spectacular.
I have been here many times and am at the property right now. Everything here is museum quality – inside and out. Marilyn is an incredible woman, having survived many tragedies and illnesses, and always maintains good spirits and is a great hostess.
She is a long-time cultural icon in the region, and has been actively involved in the historical preservation of the county. Marilyn served as a commissioner on the Montgomery County Preservation Commission, served on the Boyds Master Plan Advisory Committee, and served on the advisory committee which led to the creation of Little Seneca Lake and Black Hills Regional Park.



The county has refused to renew the curatorship without justifiable cause, and instead offered Marilyn a short term lease which would not permit her to have guests or allow anyone else to live in the house. This lease is in direct violation to the spirit and intent of her original agreement, and her motivation for spending a million dollars to restore the property. It is also wildly unethical to try to force a 75 year old woman to live alone. Clearly the intent is to kick her off the property and possess all of the added value she has given to the property. Why would any rational person want to restore this property to possession by the same people who mismanaged it so badly in the first place?

Marilyn is willing to sign a lease which permits her to continue having guests and cultural events. It would be travesty to allow anything less. She is 75 years old and has earned the right to spend the rest of her years sharing her beautiful home with the world.
The County is attempting to evict her immediately, which is wrong and unethical.
Here is how you can help :
Contact these people at the Montgomery County Parks Department (301-495-2500) and ask them to do the right thing and offer Marilyn an acceptable lease :
Michelle Grace – Assistant Division Chief Properties and Administration
James Poore – Chief Facilities Management Division
John Nissel – Deputy Director of Parks
Mike Riley – Director of Parks
Casey Anderson – Chair of Montgomery County Planning Board
Michelle Grace, Park Property Manager:
[email protected], 301.495.2467
James Poore, Chief Facilities Management Division
[email protected], 301-670-8077
Mike Riley, Director of Parks
[email protected], 301-495-2553
John Nissel, Deputy Director of Parks
[email protected], 301-670-8009
Casey Anderson, Chair of Montgomery County Planning Board
[email protected],
You can help Marilyn with her legal expenses here www.gofundme.com
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