{"id":30196,"date":"2026-09-29T09:44:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T09:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=30196"},"modified":"2026-09-29T09:44:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T09:44:13","slug":"a-maryland-factory-built-in-1920-once-employed-thousands-making-furniture-food-and-wwii-rations-after-sitting-vacant-it-has-been-restored-as-a-business-hub-with-a-new-1-million-oyster-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=30196","title":{"rendered":"A Maryland factory built in 1920 once employed thousands making furniture, food and WWII rations; after sitting vacant, it has been restored as a business hub with a new $1 million oyster center"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134558055,imgsize-175096,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg\" alt=\"A Maryland factory built in 1920 once employed thousands making furniture, food and WWII rations; after sitting vacant, it has been restored as a business hub with a new $1 million oyster center\" title=\"The Packing House\u2019s history is closely connected to the industries that shaped the Eastern Shore.\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"The Packing House\u2019s history is closely connected to the industries that shaped the Eastern Shore.\">The Packing House\u2019s history is closely connected to the industries that shaped the Eastern Shore.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A historic factory in Cambridge, Maryland, built in 1920 has been transformed from a vacant building into a centre for businesses, entrepreneurs, food production and community programmes.<!-- --> The Packing House, in Dorchester County, was once linked to one of the Eastern Shore\u2019s largest employers and is now being used for new businesses and projects connected to the region\u2019s agricultural and maritime roots.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>According to Maryland Department of Commerce, the building was originally constructed as the Cambridge Furniture Company. It later became part of the Phillips Packing Company, which supported thousands of residents across Maryland\u2019s Eastern Shore. <!-- -->During World War II, the company produced food products and military rations.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"8\"\/>After the building was left vacant, it has now been redeveloped by Cross Street Partners in partnership with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. The redevelopment has brought new activity to the historic property, which now includes office, retail and event spaces along with areas for environmental companies and non-profit organisations.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"11\"\/>The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has also opened its Cambridge office at the site. The redevelopment is intended to create opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs while giving a new use to a historic building that had been sitting vacant.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"13\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>From furniture factory to business hub<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"15\"\/>The Packing House\u2019s history is closely connected to the industries that shaped the Eastern Shore. Its first use was as the Cambridge Furniture Company after it was constructed in 1920. <!-- -->It later became part of the Phillips Packing Company, which grew into one of the region\u2019s largest employers.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"19\"\/>The packing company produced food products and military rations during World War II. Its operations supported thousands of people in the Eastern Shore community.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"21\"\/>The building\u2019s latest transformation is focused on keeping it connected to the region\u2019s existing industries. The site now supports businesses and organisations working in areas including aquaculture and environmental technologies.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Phillips Packing Company produced food products and military rations during WW II (Photo: PRR's Cambridge Secondary Track)\" msid=\"134557972\" imgsize=\"1034934\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Phillips Packing Company produced food products and military rations during WW II (Photo: PRR's Cambridge Secondary Track)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-1034934,msid-134557972\/phillips-packing-company-produced-food-products-and-military-rations-during-ww-ii-photo-prrs-cambridge-secondary-track.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Phillips Packing Company produced food products and military rations during WW II (Photo: PRR&#8217;s Cambridge Secondary Track)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"26\"\/>Maria Mougridis, project manager and community planner for DHCD, said the redevelopment of historic properties can help create stronger communities.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"28\"\/>\u201cRevitalizing historic properties is an important part of building stronger, more sustainable communities across Maryland,\u201d Mougridis said. \u201cStrategic state investment can help transform vacant or overlooked locations into places where businesses can grow, entrepreneurs thrive, and communities come together,\u201d she added.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"31\"\/>The redevelopment has therefore given the former factory a new role without removing its connection to the area\u2019s history. Along with businesses and organisations, the property is now being used for community programming.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>$1 million project to focus on oysters<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/>A major part of the redevelopment is linked to oysters and environmental work. Last year, DHCD announced a $1 million state revitalisation project at the Packing House.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/>The project is developing a centre focused on oyster processing, biotechnology laboratories, education and ecological stewardship.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"40\"\/>The work also involves the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. With support from state funding, the centre established a regional office for Blue Oyster Environmental at the Packing House.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"42\"\/>Blue Oyster Environmental aims to become the regional leader in re-establishing the Eastern Oyster in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The organisation\u2019s work at the Packing House brings oyster-related research and environmental activities into a building that was once used for furniture production and later food and military-ration manufacturing.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>Dr Michael Sieracki, director and research professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences, said the project is intended to support oyster restoration and environmental stewardship.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>\u201cBlue Oyster Environmental and UMCES remain incredibly grateful for the state\u2019s continued support. Funding helps us turn our vision for oyster restoration and environmental stewardship into reality,\u201d Sieracki said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"50\"\/>He added that the continued expansion of the project would support the future of the Chesapeake Bay. \u201cThe continued expansion of this project helps to guarantee the health of our Chesapeake Bay and its future generations,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/us\/a-maryland-factory-built-in-1920-once-employed-thousands-making-furniture-food-and-wwii-rations-after-sitting-vacant-it-has-been-restored-as-a-business-hub-with-a-new-1-million-oyster-center\/articleshow\/134557676.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Packing House\u2019s history is closely connected to the industries that shaped the Eastern Shore. A historic factory in Cambridge, Maryland, built in 1920 has been transformed from a vacant building into a centre for businesses, entrepreneurs, food production and community programmes. The Packing House, in Dorchester County, was once linked to one of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"The Packing House\u2019s history is closely connected to the industries that shaped the Eastern Shore. A historic factory in Cambridge, Maryland, built in 1920 has been transformed from a vacant building into a centre for businesses, entrepreneurs, food production and community programmes. The Packing House, in Dorchester County, was once linked to one of the [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":4,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-packing-houses-history-is-closely-connected-to-the-industries-that-shaped-the-eastern-shore.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30196\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}