University of Maryland, College Park. Department of Physical Plant

The Department of Physical Plant was established in 1924-1925 as the Buildings and Grounds Division of the General Services Department at the University of Maryland, College Park. A "Buildings and Grounds" division of the General Services Department is first mentioned in the University budget of 1924-25. The early staff of "Buildings and Grounds" included the superintendent, his secretary, a carpenter, electrician, watchman, mechanical handyman, three laborers, and two chauffeurs. In 1938 the division name "Buildings and Grounds" was changed to "Plant Maintenance and Operation." This division existed alongside the other General Services divisions of "Janitorial Department," "Heating," and "Campus and Grounds." With the growth of the campus, its maintenance became more demanding. Although the 1949-50 budget shows only four workers employed in "Plant Maintenance," the budget also indicates that occupations such as carpentry or electrical services, formerly under the supervision of "Plant Maintenance and Operation," had become specialized divisions of General Services.