Maryland Heritage Areas Grants Workshops - Register Today!

It's that time of year again!

Are you located in a Certified Heritage Area?

Are you interested in learning more about grants that are available for capital and non-capital projects relating to the preservation of historical, archeological, natural and cultural resources and heritage tourism?

If so, you will want to attend one of four upcoming grant workshops that are being offered by the Maryland Heritage Areas Program. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the FY 2012 grant program and the revised grant application forms, and will also provide the chance to ask any questions you may have about the program.

New Historical Markers along Maryland's Roads



Old Wallville School Marker Unveiling.
Photo courtesy of David Krankowski



The Maryland Historical Trust, State Highway Administration, and local partners have installed six new and two replacement historical markers along Maryland's roadways, bringing the total number of markers to 822! The markers celebrate a broad scope of Maryland history, including a seventeenth century courthouse, the growth of a colonial port, a fine grade of slate quarried for over two centuries, a rare and early school for the education of African American students, early twentieth century advancements in electric rail transit and transportation, research and development of motor transport, and a legacy of conservation and enhancement of our public lands.

Read about each of the new markers below.

Southern Maryland's Award-Winning Heritage

The Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium has garnered recognition for its efforts on the part of the region and the state-wide Heritage Areas program.

At the Tourism and Travel Summit in Annapolis on Thursday, November 4th, Roz Racanello, Executive Director of the Heritage Area, accepted an award in the category of Cultural Heritage Tourism.

The Cultural Heritage Tourism Award is given for outstanding investments and contributions in stewardship and development of Maryland's cultural heritage product as well as engagement in regional and statewide tourism initiatives.

National Scenic Byways Program Announces FY 2011 Grant Intention Solicitation

The National Scenic Byways Program announces the soliciation of grant intent to apply forms for FY 2011 funding, to be submitted by 2 p.m. on January 12, 2011. Guidance and other important materials are available on the Byways Online website at http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants/ .

Applicants should review these resources to ensure applications meet all submission requirements for the FY 2011 grant cycle. They are also asked to work closely with the byway organization that coordinates activities on the relevant byway. These organizations will rank and/or consolidate projects and can therefore have a large impact on the success of the application. In addition, all projects should reflect the priorities outlined in the corridor management plan that the respective byway organization has prepared.

Celebrate the Charles Street National Scenic Byway Designation

On October 25, 2010, the City of Baltimore will hold a celebration of the National Scenic Byway Designation of Historic Charles Street. Charles Street is one of the oldest thoroughfares in America, and is the backbone around which Baltimore grew. Charles Street also features the first monument erected in memory of George Washington, completed in 1824.

Maryland's Heritage Areas - Comfortable Driving and Easy Walking

Maryland's Heritage Areas feature prominently in two new national lists, for the 50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives, and Best Walking Cities.

According to a new survey by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and American Byways, 70 percent of Americans are planning to take at least one road trip this fall. American Byways worked with Goodyear to create a list of the 50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives for these fall roadtrippers, and the list includes several Maryland Heritage Areas:

• The Baltimore Heritage Area's Historic Charles Street;
• The Historic National Road, which passes through the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and Canal Place Heritage Area; and,
• The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, which also passes through the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.

In addition to its driveablity, the Baltimore Heritage Area also boasts walkability. Baltimore appears in Prevention Magazine's new list of the Best Walking Cities. Listed at number 15, the Baltimore Heritage Area features a three mile Heritage Walk that links 20 historic sites and museums around the city and spans four centuries of American history.

Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Provides 55 Grants to Heritage Tourism Sites, Activities, and Organizations Across Maryland.

More than $2.6 million awarded by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
CROWNSVILLE, MD (July 12, 2010) - Maryland non-profit groups, museums, and governments received 55 matching grants totaling $2,617,146 from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) for heritage tourism projects and activities that expand economic development throughout the state (see full listing). Heritage tourism is "traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present," as defined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and "includes historic, cultural and natural resources."

"Targeted investments by Maryland's Heritage Areas Program promote economic growth and job development in our cities and towns by encouraging more people to visit and stay longer while enjoying Maryland's unique historic places, natural landscapes, and distinctive cultural traditions," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "I congratulate our eleven Certified Heritage Areas and their heritage tourism partners on these well-deserved awards. Their efforts boost Maryland's economy, preserve our state's valuable legacy and contribute to a Smart, Green and Growing Maryland."

Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Releases Strategic Plan

On March 24, 2010, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority released its Strategic Plan for 2010-2020. The plan, which received extensive public input over the past two years, is designed to assist the Maryland Heritage Areas Program in meeting the challenge of managing a mature system of state Heritage Areas and sustaining that system over time.

“I’m very pleased to release this plan, which provides a vision for heritage tourism development in Maryland and a blueprint for using our resources wisely to support local heritage area efforts in creating distinctive visitor experiences and protecting Maryland’s natural, historic, and cultural resources” remarked Authority Chairman Matthew J. Power.

The plan was unveiled at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Oysters on the Half Shell exhibit opening. Development of the exhibit was funded, in part, with Maryland Heritage Areas Program grant funds.

Tourism is a vital contributor to Maryland's diverse economy. In 2008 alone, Maryland tourists generated $1.8 billion in state and local tax revenues and created 146,000 jobs – 95% of which represent small business enterprises. Heritage tourism activities, such as those supported by the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, have been shown to attract visitors who spend more and travel longer, resulting in a more sustained and significant impact on the financial well-being of Maryland communities.

Apply Now for Designation as a Preserve America Steward

The next quarterly deadline for submitting applications to the Preserve America Stewards program is June 1, 2010. Preserve America Stewards is a federal program which recognizes organizations and agencies that successfully use volunteers to help care for our historic properties. Preserve America Stewards receive a designation letter and certificate of recognition signed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

To date, programs have been recognized for a range of volunteer efforts. Some designated organizations address preservation and interpretation of historic buildings, such as the Oberlin Heritage Center in Ohio, the Friends of ‘Iolani Palace in Hawaii, and Cornerstones Community Partnerships, which works to preserve historic adobe buildings of the Southwest. Several Preserve America Stewards have been recognized for their volunteer archaeological site survey and monitoring, including the Kaibab Vermilion Cliffs Heritage Alliance in Arizona, New Mexico SiteWatch, and Bateaux Below, Inc., which works to preserve shipwrecks in New York’s Lake George. The Thatcher Island Association has been designated for its preservation of the Cape Ann Light Station, and the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana, has been recognized for its South Bend Historic City Cemetery Project.

Tobacco Barn Summit Rescheduled - April 30, 2010

The Maryland Historical Trust, Preservation Maryland, and a number of local and regional partners will host the second Southern Maryland Tobacco Barns Summit on Friday April 30, 2010 at King's Landing Park in Huntingtown, Maryland.

Click here to download a flyer about the summit

Click here to Register for this FREE Event

National Recreational Trail Grants Available - Applications Due July 1, 2010

Each year Maryland is apportioned National Recreational Trails Program funds through the Federal Surface Transportation Equity Act for disbursement to qualifying projects. These funds, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, have made it possible for communities across the State to develop, improve and maintain trails in order to provide access to Maryland’s awesome natural and recreational resources.

We are always looking for eligible projects, and invite you to consider applying for National Recreational Trails Program funds for your recreational trail projects. To learn more about eligible project types and program criteria, as well as accessing a digital application, visit the following website: http://www.marylandroads.com <http://www.marylandroads.com//> . Scroll down to the “Recreational Trails Program” under “Environment and Community”.

MHT Non-Capital and Museum Assistance Grant Deadline is March 31, 2010!

Don’t break your pencil in despair or throw out your draft. Call MHT staff to ask questions or get advice about your application that is due on March 31, 2010 (postmarked). While FY2011 funding remains unsettled, MHT’s Office of Preservation Planning and Museums staff await your call or email.


Non-capital Assistance: Nicole Diehlmann, Ndiehlmann@mdp.state.md.us or 410-514-7625

Museum Advancement Assistance: Mary Alexander, Malexander@mpd.state.md.us or 410-514-7622

Capital: This program is unfunded for FY2011.

Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage

Six Counties and More Than 50 Properties Featured on 2010 Tour

The annual Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage (MHGP) returns this spring over four consecutive weekends from Sunday, April 25 through Sunday, May 16, 2010. A Maryland tradition for seventy-three years, the MHGP offers visitors the opportunity to explore some of Maryland's most fascinating and noteworthy properties.

The 2010 tour includes 57 private homes, gardens, farms, churches and historic sites across six Maryland counties --

Baltimore City: Guilford (Sunday, April 25);
Baltimore County (Saturday, May 1);
Montgomery County (Sunday, May 2);
Charles County (Saturday, May 8);
Talbot County (Saturday, May 15);
Cecil County (Sunday, May 16).

The annual spring tours are a central component of the MHGP’s efforts to cultivate awareness of Maryland’s rich architectural and cultural heritage, from historic to contemporary settings. Each year, proceeds from the tour support designated preservation projects in each host community. To date, the Pilgrimage has raised well over a million dollars for the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties throughout the State of Maryland while entertaining and informing many thousands of tour-goers.

Deadline Extended: MHAA Multi-Heritage Area Grants

Realizing that the record breaking snowfall(s) prevented many people from getting into their offices, we are extending the deadline for submission of Multi-Heritage Area Grants from February 12 to FEBRUARY 19, 2010.

The project grant application and instructions are available here.

If there are questions, please don't hesitate to contact Richard Hughes or Jen Ruffner - e-mail might be best if we are unable to get into the office, as we can check that from home (provided the electricity doesn't go out!).

Richard Hughes
Administrator
Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Maryland Historical Trust
Department of Planning
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032
Tel. (410) 514-7685
Fax (410) 514-7678
E-mail: rhughes@mdp.state.md.us
Website: http://mht.maryland.gov/

Jennifer Ruffner
Assistant Administrator
Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Maryland Historical Trust
Department of Planning
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032
Tel. (410) 514-7612
Fax (410) 514-7678
E-mail: jruffner@mdp.state.md.us
Website: http://mht.maryland.gov/

Maryland Heritage Areas Project Grant Deadlines

If you are planning to apply for a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) Project Grant for FY 2011, we have posted each heritage area's grant deadline and submission information here. Applicants should remember that all submissions (except for multi-heritage area projects) must be submitted first to your local heritage area and not directly to MHAA. Please also note that many heritage areas ask for an Intention to Apply form before a full proposal is submitted, so check to see what your heritage area requires.

The MHAA Project Grant application and instructions are available here.

Don't forget that all applicants must also have completed a profile with the Maryland Cultural Data Project before they submit their grant application.

Ruppersberger and Sarbanes Send Staff to Historic Preservation Caucus Briefing

On Thursday, January 21st, the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus hosted nearly 60 House and Senate staffers at an educational session entitled “Hot Topics in Historic Preservation” in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. This briefing on the national historic preservation program was sponsored by the History Channel and a coalition of preservation partners including the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Action, and the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions.

The purpose of this educational session was to familiarize staff with components of the national historic preservation program including the National Register of Historic Places, Save America’s Treasures grants, Preserve America, and State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, as well as inform staff about key contemporary aspects of preservation, including sustainability, the history and use of the Historic Preservation Fund, and how preservation is a vital economic and community development tool and strategy.

Representatives of Maryland’s Congressional delegation included Ann Jacobs of Congressman Ruppersberger’s staff and Jim Notter and Helena Mastrogianis of Congressman Sarbanes’ staff.

The Historic Preservation Caucus, chaired by Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Michael Turner (R-OH), serves as a forum for Members to discuss ways to protect and revitalize America's historic places and structures. In the 111th Congress the Caucus will focus on historic preservation's important role in sustainable economic development and neighborhood revitalization. Three members of the Maryland Congressional delegation are members of the Caucus including Representatives Elijah Cummings, John Sarbanes, and Chris Van Hollen.

Sustainable Communities Lobby Day in Annapolis - January 27, 2010

Sustainable Communities Lobby Day in Annapolis

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Open to All Marylanders Concerned About the Future of Housing, Transportation Options, the Environment, and Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change

WHAT:

The members of the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet are holding an event to launch the State's Sustainable Communities Initiative of 2010.

WHEN:

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Miller Conference West
Miller Senate Office Building
11 Bladen St.
Annapolis, MD 21401

Please RSVP to Roz Hamlett at rhamlett@mdp.state.md.us.

Congressman Sarbanes Supports Historic Preservation Funding

For the first time, the federal Historic Preservation Caucus co-chairs coordinated a Dear Colleague letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director, Peter Orszag, requesting funding for the nation’s core historic preservation programs in the President’s fiscal year 2011 Budget, due for release in early February. The letter requested $50 million for State Historic Preservation Offices, $5 million for a digitization/survey competitive grant program for SHPOs, $20 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, $30 million for Save Americas Treasures and $10 million for Preserve America. Twenty-eight members of the House Historic Preservation Caucus signed-on, including Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes.

The Historic Preservation Caucus brings together members of Congress who understand the value of America's historic places as definers of our national character. Its members support and encourage the preservation and thoughtful economic development in their states, districts, and Indian reservations as a matter of national policy.

The Caucus, chaired by Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Michael Turner (R-OH) now numbers 166 -- up from a 120 high-member-mark at the end of the last Congress. The growth of the Historic Preservation Caucus is an excellent opportunity for grassroots advocates. These members of Congress have stepped up to say they support us. Three members of the Maryland Congressional delegation have joined the Caucus including Representatives Elijah Cummings, John Sarbanes, and Chris Van Hollen.

Click here to read the text of the Dear Colleague letter.

Maryland Heritage Areas Program Grant Workshops - Register Now!

Are you located in a Certified Heritage Area?


Are you interested in learning more about grants that are available for capital and non-capital projects relating to the preservation of historical, archeological, natural and cultural resources?


If so, you will want to attend one of four upcoming grant workshops that are being offered by the Maryland Heritage Areas Program. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the FY 2011 grant program and the revised grant application forms, and will also provide the chance to ask any questions you may have about the program.

All are welcome to attend. Please register no later than January 25, 2010 with the host of the session you select, as space is limited at some locations. Times, locations and contact information for the four sessions are listed below.

• Wednesday, January 27, 10 a.m., B & O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore. www.borail.org. Call Shauntee Daniels at 443-984-2369 to sign up.
• Friday, January 29, 10 a.m., Chesapeake College Cambridge Center, 416 Race Street, Cambridge. www.chesapeake.edu/cambridge/. Call Linda Cashman at 410-228-1000 to sign up. This session will also include a tutorial on the Maryland Cultural Data Project.
• Monday, February 1, 10 a.m., Heritage Center Complex, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, Chesapeake Room, 2nd floor. Call 410-222-1805 to sign up.
• Wednesday, February 3, 10 a.m., The Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, Prangley Room, 2nd floor. Call 301-887-0777 to sign up.

Questions? Call 410-514-7612.

Maryland Historical Trust has joined the Coalition for Full Funding

The Maryland Historical Trust has joined the Coalition for Full Funding of the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The Coalition is a diverse group of national, regional, state, and local organizations that believe full funding of the HPF should be the preservation community's top priority.

It is easy to join – just visit http://www.fullyfundhpf.org/ - to participate in this national grassroots effort.

To learn more about the Historic Preservation Fund and its impact in Maryland, Click Here

Southern Maryland Tobacco Barn Summit

**Rescheduled to February 14, 2010**

The Maryland Historical Trust, Preservation Maryland, and a number of local and regional partners will host the second Southern Maryland Tobacco Barns Summit on Sunday February 14, 2010 from 1:00PM-4:00PM at the Calvert Library in Prince Frederick, Calvert County.

In 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Tobacco Barns of Southern Maryland to its list of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.  As a result of this listing, a coalition of representatives from the National Trust, the Maryland Historical Trust, the Southern Maryland Heritage Areas Consortium, and Anne Arundel, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties was formed to support barn owners in their efforts to preserve, rehabilitate, and reuse these significant landmarks that are now often abandoned and deteriorating due to the significant decline in tobacco cultivation.

The 2010 Tobacco Barns Summit is a follow up to the initial gathering heldon November 15, 2004, and will continue the discussion on how to best promote barn reuse and promote agricultural land preservation.  The summit will feature:

• Presentation on the history of tobacco barns
• tobaco barn reuse success stories
• showcase of available resources for tobacco barns
• discussion and brainstorming on future strategies

Click here to download the 2004 Tobacco Barns Summit Report

No reservations are necessary.

Calvert Library
MD Route 4 across from the Hospital
850 Cosley Way
Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Click here for a map to the Calvert Library

(410)535-0291 or (301)855-1862
http://www.calvert.lib.md.us/