60. Scissors

The sterling silver handles of these ten-inch scissors used for a highway dedication are engraved “Governor Theodore R. McKeldin” on one handle and “Washington National Pike Fourth Section /Dedicated September 15, 1954” on the other. The governor cut black and gold ribbons (two of the state’s colors) to open a 3.7 mile stretch of the new dual highway from Clarksburg to Germantown.

The roadway to connect Frederick to Rockville was being built from the north; the next sections south to Rockville were projected for completion in 1955. Road names were confusing, as the historic Frederick Road became “Old US 240/US 355” when the National Pike was designated “New US 240.” In 1959, the National Pike was absorbed into the Interstate Highway System as I-70S, renamed I-270 in 1975.

The scissors were made in Baltimore by Samuel Kirk & Son, a major American silver manufacturer (merged in 1979 with its rival as Kirk-Stieff Co., manufacturing in Baltimore ceased in 1999). The steel blades were made, as marked, by the Voss Cutlery Co. of Solingen, Germany.

Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin (1900-1974) was the mayor of Baltimore (1943-1947) before serving as Republican governor of Maryland for two terms, 1951-59. Presumably Governor McKelden purposely used scissors made by a Baltimore supplier for the highway opening. A month later, in October 1954, McKelden made a point of donating the highway scissors to Montgomery History in a ceremony in Kensington, a special gesture while “campaigning for reelection in the suburban areas.”

In November 1970, the Historical Society renovated the 1940s-era garage next to the Beall-Dawson House to serve as a small museum and library. At the opening ceremony, according to the Society’s newsletter, “[Rockville’s] Mayor Tuchtan cut the ribbon with silver scissors used by Governor McKeldin at the opening of the 4^th Section of National Pike – and they still work!”

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