The Prince George's County Historical and Cultural Trust is created for the purpose of preserving and maintaining historical, aesthetic and cultural properties, buildings, fixtures, furnishings, and appurtenances pertaining in any way to Prince George's County from earliest times, to encourage others to do so and to promote interest in and study of such matters.

The purpose of the Trust is declared to be of general benefit to the citizens of the County and charitable in nature. The Trust shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual existence, subject to modifications by the General Assembly of the State of Maryland if the same is necessary to effectuate the purpose of the Trust and subject to termination by the General Assembly when and if its substantial purpose ceases.

The powers and duties of the trustees shall be vested in and exercised by a body of fifteen (15) trustees. One (1) member of the Board shall be a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. As the terms of the appointed trustees expire, the County Executive shall appoint their successors for a term of four (4) years. In the event that a trustee for any reason fails to serve or to complete any appointment or elected term, the successor shall be appointed by the Executive. The selection of trustees shall be such as to obtain a geographical distribution of trustees throughout the County in so far as practicable and consistent with the purpose of the trust.

The Trustees shall serve without compensation.

The Trustees shall have the following powers and duties: Acquire, preserve and maintain historic, aesthetic and cultural properties, buildings, fixtures, furnishings and appurtenances pertaining in any way to the County from earliest times, to encourage others to do so and to promote interest in and study of such matters. Acquire and hold real and personal property of historic, aesthetic or cultural significance, by gift, purchase, devise, bequest, or by any other means and to preserve and administer such properties; to charge reasonable admission fees to such properties and to determine which of such properties are deserving of County financial aid. In the acquisition of such properties, to acquire property adjacent thereto deemed necessary for the proper use and administration of historic, aesthetic or cultural property. Accept gifts, legacies, bequests and endowments for any purpose which falls within that of the Trust and unless otherwise specified by the person making such gift, legacy, bequest, and endowment the Trustees may expend both principal and income of any such gift, bequest, legacy, or endowment of money in furtherance of the Trust or invest the same in whole or in part in general obligations of the County or the State. Apply all monies, assets, property or other things of value it may receive as an incident to its operation to the general purpose of the Trust. Cooperate with and assist, insofar as practicable, the Maryland Historical Trust or any agency of the State or any of its political subdivisions, and any private agency or person in furtherance of the purpose of the Trust. Take any action necessary and proper to effectuate the powers expressly conferred by this Division. Adopt, subject to the terms of this Division, such rules as are necessary and proper for the regulation of their own government or to effectuate the purpose of the Trust. Delegate any of the powers conferred in this Division to any one (1) or more of the Trustees or to the Director of the Trust. The Trustees shall report annually to the Council their activities during the preceding year together with any recommendations or requests they deem appropriate to further the purpose of the Trust.

The Trustees shall elect one (1) of their number to serve as chairman. The Trustees shall meet at places and dates to be determined by the Trustees not less than two (2) times a year. The Director shall serve as secretary to the Board of Trustees. Special meetings shall be called by the Director upon order of the Chairman on the Chairman's own initiative and shall be called by the Director at the request of three (3) or more Trustees. All Trustees shall be notified by the Director in writing of the time and place of all meetings at least seven (7) days in advance of such meeting, except that meetings may be held on shorter notice if all Trustees shall agree. Four (4) trustees shall constitute a quorum. In the event that any time there is no Director of the Trust, his duties and powers shall devolve upon the Chairman.

The Trustees may appoint from without their number a Director of the Trust, to direct and administer the activities of the Trust subject to the direction and control of the Trustees. The Director shall be considered an employee of the Trust and not of the County and shall serve at such salary and may employ other persons at such salaries as are determined by the Trustees. The Trustees may remove the Director and any other personnel at their will.

The Trustees may request, and upon request, shall receive from the Office of Law all legal counsel and services necessary to carry out the purpose of the Trust.

The Trust is authorized to receive and the County is authorized to pay over and transfer to the Trust from time to time, subject to the limitations of Subsection (b) of this Section, monies or property to carry out the purpose of the Trust, provided that property transferred by the County to the Trust or purchased with funds paid by the County to the Trust and designated for such purchase may not be absolutely disposed of by the Trust without the approval of the Council. The Council may appropriate from time to time such sums as the Council may determine to be necessary for the purposes of the Trust.

Subject to the terms of Section 2-184, the Trust is authorized to sell, convey, assign, lease, or otherwise transfer or dispose of any property held by it and enter into any contracts incident thereto, including but not limited to the authority to lease properties for residential or commercial use, for such term and upon such conditions as the Trustees deem appropriate. Any leases made by the Trust shall be in immediate furtherance of the purpose of the Trust and not merely for investment purposes. Notwithstanding anything provided by law to the contrary, no lease made by the Trust shall be subject to redemption at the option of the tenant, unless expressly so provided therein.

Nothing contained in this Division shall be construed to limit the power or activity of any agency of this State or any subdivision thereof or any private agency or person interested in antiquities or history of the County from earliest times.