The Hogan administration recently announced that 114 matching grants totaling $5.1 million were awarded to Maryland non-profits, local jurisdictions, and other heritage tourism organizations by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority in support of heritage tourism efforts.
Preservation Maryland Director of Communications Meagan Baco served on the inaugural Maryland Heritage Areas Program Grants Review Panel along with over 20 diverse Marylanders offering their insights and expertise. “Now is an incredibly important time for the state to invest in our shared cultural attractions – museums and historic sites across the state are rising to the challenge of transitioning their efforts to digital outreach,” said Baco, continuing, “Many of the selected MHAA grantees showed great creativity and dedication to pursuing inclusive history and interpretation that will have a positive change on the way we all see and understand Maryland history.” Preservation Maryland is actively involved in public history projects related to LGBTQ experiences, Maryland’s suffragists, labor history in Baltimore’s mills, and preserving the authentic history of the Underground Railroad through Maryland.
Additionally, Preservation Maryland is a leading voice in advocacy efforts to increase and improve funding for heritage tourism and public history in Maryland. Maryland’s historic, natural, and cultural resources are an authentic source of Maryland heritage and are valuable community and economic assets. As reported in the press release, every dollar of MHAA funding has a return on investment of $4.45. MHAA grants generate $19.8 million in state and local taxes and create 3,146 jobs annually. Additionally, in this most recent grant round, the $5 million in MHAA awards leveraged nearly five times that, balancing at $24.7 million dollars.
Anthony J. “Tony” Spencer served as Chair of the new Grants Review Panel in its inaugural year after being nominated to serve by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, on which he also serves as a Commissioner. Spencer shared these thoughts on his new role as Chair, “I have come to understand the value of giving back and serving the greater community. Serving with the Maryland Heritage Areas Program as a grant evaluator provides me the opportunity to ensure that the communities and organizations within Maryland have access to resources to research, preserve, present, and celebrate our collective histories.”
Organizations receiving awards include museums, parks, educational organizations, and other entities that steward and celebrate the unique cultural and natural resources located within Maryland’s Heritage Areas. Maryland’s Heritage Areas contribute to the state’s economy by saving and enhancing the places that attract tourists who focus their travels on historic sites, museums, cultural activities, or the natural beauty of Maryland’s Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay coastal areas and unspoiled scenery of mountain Maryland.
With Chairman Tony Spencer at the helm with MHAA staff support from Jennifer Ruffner, Ennis Smith, and Andrew Arvizu, the panelists read dozens of applications before meeting for discussion and decisions over two extended video conference sessions.
AWARDED PROJECTS (ALPHABETICAL)
African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society
Frederick African American Heritage Center
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
AIA Baltimore
Center for Architecture and Redesign
Baltimore City
Allen Historical Society
Huffington-Pollitt House
Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area
Annapolis Maritime Museum
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Annapolis Maritime Museum
Restoration of Skipjack Wilma Lee
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Ann’s Circle
Annmarie Sculpture Garden
Southern Maryland
Avalon Foundation
Third Floor Renovations
Stories of the Chesapeake
B&O Railroad Museum
Archive Storage and Access
Baltimore City
Baltimore National Heritage Area
Mt. Vernon Cultural Walks
Baltimore City
Baltimore National Heritage Area
Management Grant
Baltimore City
Baltimore National Heritage Area
Block Grant
Baltimore City
Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation
Transportation Access Areas
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Board of County Commissioners of Allegany County
Marketing Grant
Passages of the Western Potomac
Board of County Commissioners of Allegany County
Management Grant
Passages of the Western Potomac
Bromo Tower
Painted Arts Path
Baltimore City
Brunswick Potomac Foundation
Red Mens Hall Architecture & Design
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
C&O Canal Association
World Canals Conference
Multi-Heritage Area
Captain Avery Museum
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Caroline County Historical Society
Medford Dwelling
Stories of the Chesapeake
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society
Exhibit Design
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society
Museum Restoration & Renovation
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Catonsville Rails to Trails
Catonsville Cycling Connection
Patapsco Valley
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Library and Collection Expansion
Stories of the Chesapeake
Chesapeake Conservancy
Bilingual Interpretation
Multi-Heritage Area
Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy
Restoration of Skipjack Martha Lewis
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Church Hill Theatre
Stories of the Chesapeake
City of Pocomoke
Repairs at Costen House Museum
Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area
City of Salisbury
National Folk Festival
Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area
City of Westminster
Durbin House Structure Assessment
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Clement’s Island-Potomac River Museum
Piscataway Exhibit Preparation
Southern Maryland
County Council of Dorchester County
Block Grant
Heart of Chesapeake Country
County Council of Dorchester County
Management Grant
Heart of Chesapeake Country
County Council of Wicimico County
Pirates Wharf Historic Trail
Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area
Department of Natural Resources
Fort Frederick Visitor Center Exhibit
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Douglas G. Bast Museum of History and Preservation
Boonsborough Museum of History
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Downtown Development Commission, Cumberland
Baltimore Street Access
Passages of the Western Potomac
Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc.
Block Grant
Stories of the Chesapeake
Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc.
Management Grant
Stories of the Chesapeake
Emmanuel Episcopal Parish
Barkdoll House Conversion
Passages of the Western Potomac
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Block Grant
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Marketing Grant
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Management Grant
Friends of Herring Run Park
Heritage Trail
Baltimore City
Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park
Simkins Industries Park Infrastructure
Patapsco Valley
Friends of the Greenbelt Museum
Museum Visitor Center
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
Friends of the President Street Station
Digital Tour Development
Baltimore City
Friends of Wye Mill
Exhibit Implementation
Stories of the Chesapeake
Garrett Community College Foundation
Education and Arts Center
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Block Grant
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Marketing Grant
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Management Grant
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West
Glen Echo Park Partnership
Dentzel Carousel 100th Anniversary
Montgomery Heritage
Greater Baltimore Urban League
Orchard Street Church
Baltimore City
H&F Trolley Trail Association
Trolley Trail Extension
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Inc.
Lauraville Farmers Market and The Lot
Baltimore City
Havre de Grace Arts Collective
Feasibility Study
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Marketing Grant
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Management Grant
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Block Grant
Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County
Management Grant
Montgomery Heritage
Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County
Block Grant
Montgomery Heritage
Historic Annapolis
History of Annapolis Exhibit
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Historic Sotterley
Common Ground Initiative
Southern Maryland
Historic St. Mary’s Foundation
Master Plan
Southern Maryland
Historical Society of Frederick County
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Hood College
Reuse Planning for Williams Observatory
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Hosanna Community House
Digital Story Map
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Howard County Conservancy
Carriage House Reuse
Patapsco Valley
Jewish Museum of Maryland
Lloyd Street Synagogue Alteriantive Accessible Experience
Baltimore City
Launching Educational Assistance Programs (LEAP) Forward
African American History
Southern Maryland
Laurel Historical Society
Museum Building Rehabilitation
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
London Town Foundation
Education Pavilion Construction
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Committee
Management Grant
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Management Grant
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Block Grant
Maces Lane Community Center
Edythe M. Jolly Museum
Heart of Chesapeake Country
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Susquehanna State Park Restoration
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Maryland Historical Society
Civil Rights Exhibition
Baltimore City
Maryland Milestones
Management Grant
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
Maryland Milestones
Block Grant
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
Maryland Society of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America
Mount Clare Museum House
Baltimore City
National Trust for Historic Preservation
African American Landscapes in the Chesapeake
Multi-Heritage Area
Neighborhood Design Center
North Brentwood Reimagined
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
Oxford Community Center
Stories of the Chesapeake
Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Festival del Rio
Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Marketing Grant
Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Block Grant
Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Management Grant
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
Mural Restoration
Southern Maryland
Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture
Infrastructure Improvements
Baltimore City
Preservation Maryland
Captain William Burtis House
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Pride of Baltimore
Star-Spangled Banner Trail Ambassador
Multi-Heritage Area
Project Liberty Ship
Upgrade and Rehabilitation
Baltimore City
Pyramid Atlantic
Artwork Preservation & Exhibit
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery
Ethernet Installation
Montgomery Heritage
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Sellman-Kirkpatrick-Howat House
Four Rivers Heritage Area
Steppingstone Museum Association
Preservation and Enhancement
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Sultana Education Foundation
Wetland Preserve Visitors Center
Stories of the Chesapeake
Tilghman Volunteer Fire Company
Knapp’s Narrows Bridge Mural
Stories of the Chesapeake
Town of Denton
Richard Potter Dwelling
Stories of the Chesapeake
Town of East New Market
Train Station Museum
Heart of Chesapeake Country
Town of Emmittsburg
Historical Wayside Exhibits
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Town of La Plata
First Bird City in Maryland
Southern Maryland
Town of Leonardtown
Wharf Paddle Boat
Southern Maryland
Town of Mount Airy
Train Station Repairs
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Town of Port Deposit
Adams Hall Repair and Restoration
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Town of Sharpsburg
Antietam Station Roof Replacement
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland
Management Grant
Trustees of the Methodists Episcopal Church
Lovely Lane Methodists Church
Baltimore City
Ward Foundation
Recent Immigrant Traditions & Engagement
Multi-Heritage Area
Washington College
Customs House Structural Repairs
Stories of the Chesapeake
Washington College
African American Humanities Truck
Stories of the Chesapeake
Washington County Historical Society
Seibert Collection
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area