Preserving the past: Ocean Pines volunteers lead effort to keep local history alive

In a community built on innovation and neighborly spirit, a group of dedicated homeowners is working to ensure the history of Ocean Pines is not lost to time.

Their efforts recently led to the reprinting of the book, “History of Ocean Pines, Maryland,” originally written by Bud Rogner.

Priced at $20 each, copies are available at the front desk of the Ocean Pines Administration Building, with proceeds going toward future historical projects. Additional copies will be donated to the local library to ensure public access to this vital record.

The project was spearheaded by Marlene Ott, a longtime real estate agent and one of the earliest residents of Ocean Pines. Elaine Brady, a member of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors with deep roots in the community, also pitched in as part of a new Historical Task Force. Together, they are leading a charge to collect, preserve, and share the history of this community.

The idea for the initiative took shape after last year’s Season Kickoff event in Ocean Pines, where various clubs and organizations set up tables to engage with residents. Ott, at the Communications Committee table, brought along red binders containing original sales data from the late 1960s, detailing lot sales and early buyers.

"People kept asking where they could buy a history book or learn more about the early days," Ott said. "That’s when we realized we needed to make this information more accessible. One resident even told me, ‘I’ve lived here for 30 years, and I had no idea about some of this history.’"

Brady, inspired by Ott's wealth of knowledge, recognized the urgency of preserving Ocean Pines' past before it was lost.

"Different people have different pieces of the history, and we need to gather it while we can," Brady said. "Even though we’re not an incorporated town, we’re the largest community in the area, and we need to take steps to protect our heritage.”

“Someone recently showed me an old newspaper clipping from the early '70s about the first golf tournament here – it’s those kinds of things we want to save,” Ott added.

One of the first steps in the historical preservation effort was securing permission from the Rogner family to reprint his book, which has long been used as a historical reference point for the community. The book covers Ocean Pines history from 1968 to 1998.

Ott tracked down the family and was delighted to find them supportive of the project.

"Bud never copyrighted the book, so there were no legal issues," Ott said. "One relative told me he would have been so proud to see this happening. She said, ‘He put so much work into that book, and he would be thrilled to know people still care about it.’"

Copy Central in Ocean Pines handled the printing, producing 100 copies of the book.

The reprinting of Rogner’s book is just the beginning. Ott and Brady, alongside other dedicated homeowners, are working on a coffee table book that will feature rare photographs and documents chronicling the transformation of Ocean Pines from dirt roads and big ideas, to what today is the largest year-round residential community in Worcester County.

Original images from the 1970s and even earlier will be included, showcasing the landscape before and after development.

"I was looking through some old photos the other day, and I found one from when the very first homes were built," Ott said. "It was nothing but sand and trees back then. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come."

The group also plans to establish historical displays around Whitehorse Park and is considering using old parkway bulletin boards as kiosks for historical information. A longer-term goal is the creation of a dedicated historical society or room where residents and visitors can explore the community's past in depth.

"It’s about more than just preserving old photos and documents," Brady said. "We want to make this history accessible and engaging for future generations. We’d love to have a space where people can come in and see old maps, listen to oral histories, and really connect with the past."

Ott and Brady credit the community’s strong sense of civic involvement for making this effort possible.

"There’s a lot of pride in Ocean Pines," Ott said. "People here care about their neighbors and about this place. Whether it’s helping someone with their trash cans or preserving our shared history, the people here make this community special."

For now, the history task group continues to collect, organize, and plan. As their work progresses, the community of Ocean Pines is reminded once again that the past is not just something to be remembered – it is something to be celebrated and preserved for the future.

Historical Task force members include Ott, Brian Reynolds, John Talbott, Olga Grisaitis, Jenny Cropper-Rines, Jacklyn Metzger, Alfreda Sample, Helen Johnson, Carolyn Neal, and Brady as the Board representative chair.

“This is a varied group of members, some with great historical knowledge of Ocean Pines, along with others who have had experience in with historical societies,” Brady said.