Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Provides 63 Grants to Heritage Tourism Sites, Activities and Organizations Across Maryland.

Susquehanna Museum of Havre de Grace at the Lockhouse

Sixty-three matching grants totaling $2,713,480 were awarded to Maryland non-profits, local jurisdictions and other heritage tourism organizations – including heritage, historic preservation, natural resources and educational organizations– by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA). These grant funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that expand economic development and tourism-related job creation throughout the state (full listing available here). MHAA oversees Maryland’s system of 12 locally-administered, State-certified Heritage Areas.

Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Provides 51 Grants to Heritage Tourism Sites, Activities, and Organizations Across Maryland

CROWNSVILLE, MD (July 11, 2011) – Fifty-one matching grants totaling $2,298,000 were awarded to Maryland non-profits - including museums, tourism sites, historic preservation, natural resources and educational organizations, as well as local jurisdictions - by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA). These grant funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that expand economic development and tourism-related job creation throughout the state (see full listing in the full release).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.