As a result of advocacy work by Smart Growth Maryland and our local smart growth and land conservation partners, the Maryland Board of Public Works voted on October 21, 2020 to approve the expansion of the Zekiah Swamp Rural Legacy Area in Charles County, essentially doubling its size.
Senator Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny Hoyer, with Senator Chris Van Hollen as an original co-sponsor, have introduced federal legislation that would designate the existing Southern Maryland State Heritage Area known as Destination Southern Maryland as a National Heritage Area.
Historic open spaces, museums, and community originations have served as beacons of culture and context for today’s challenges. The following five grant opportunities are open to Baltimore-base organizations, sites, and projects in support of continuing the important work of heritage tourism in Charm City.
Flags at historic Union Mill.
In the face of the ongoing pandemic, Preservation Maryland convened a task force of history, preservation, economic development, design, and tourism organizations to focus on identifying and advocating for public policy necessary to support the recovery of Maryland’s historical and cultural resources and the communities they support.
Maryland’s unique cultural attractions draw visitors from around the world and support countless local businesses while providing nearly $320 million in local and state tax revenue and generating $1.3 billion in economic activity annually. Unfortunately, these venues and the main street communities in which they reside have been hit hard by the economic fallout of the pandemic and will require targeted support as the state and nation move from sheltering to recovery.
The Maryland Heritage Recovery Task Force is comprised of public and private organizations that characterize all aspects of the broad and diverse historic preservation community – from Main Street organizations to history museums, architectural firms, and preservation rehabilitation developers.
Organizations, agencies, or companies wishing to add their support to the Recovery Task Force are encouraged to do so. Fill out the form below and someone from the Task Force will be in touch about next steps. Individuals looking to stay informed or get involved, please sign up for our email alerts.
The Task Force will work together to help identify what local, state, and federal policy actions could be implemented to help with recovery of this critical sector of Maryland’s economy from the impacts of Covid-19.
“The situation for the heritage tourism and preservation industries in Maryland is becoming desperate,” explained Nicholas Redding, Executive Director of Preservation Maryland. “This new task force is an outgrowth of a real grassroots desire to help preservation and heritage organizations recover after the disastrous blow that has been dealt by the response to Covid-19. Community leaders and business owners are coming to recognize that the economic value of this work is immense. We are stronger when we stand together, and we believe that by combining our efforts we can turn retreat into advance.”
Learn more about our Recovery ResourcES
Download the press release (PDF)
