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.