At a recent town meeting, Mayor John Kinnaird announced that the family of former Mayor James Black had donated to the town a framed watercolor print of their family home that was created by local artist Rebecca Pearl. James Black served as Thurmont’s mayor for a period of sixteen years (1969-1977 and 1979-1987). Many may be unaware that the new Thurmont Town Office, located at 615 East Main Street in Thurmont, is also the former home of former Mayor Black and his family.
Black’s family presented the artwork to the new Thurmont Town Office along with the following message:
“The James F. Black Family welcomes the opportunity to donate this signed print by local artist Rebecca Pearl to our new town office. Rebecca was commissioned by Ron and Bonnie (Black) Albaugh to create the watercolor for our family’s 2013 Christmas. Please accept this gift from our family for display in a location of your choice in our new town office. May this building protect our elected officials and employees in the coming years as they conduct the important work of our town at the Gateway, just as this home protected our family during our stay here from December 1959 through May 1979. This shall always remain a special place to our family and we trust that you will properly care for it as it now serves as your home.”
The donated artwork now hangs on the wall behind the commissioners’ desk in the public meeting room in the new Thurmont Town Office.
Copies of the print are available for purchase from Rebecca Pearl, 24 W. Main St., Emmitsburg, MD, rebeccapearl123@gmail.com, 301-447-1911.
Pictured from left are Mayor John Kinnaird, LaRue Black, Dennis Black, Rebecca Pearl (artist), Susan (Black) Hatter, and Bonnie (Black) Albaugh.
