Maryland Heritage Areas Program

Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Name	Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Established	1996
Location	Maryland, United States
Type	State heritage area program
Owner	Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Maryland Heritage Areas Program The Maryland Heritage Areas Program supports place-based preservation and tourism by recognizing regions with concentrated historical, cultural, and industrial significance. The program connects sites from colonial St. Mary's City, Maryland and Annapolis, Maryland to industrial landscapes like Baltimore, Maryland and Crisfield, Maryland, coordinating with entities such as the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, National Park Service, Maryland Historical Trust, Smithsonian Institution, and local Annapolis Conservancy partners.

Overview

The program designates contiguous regions as heritage areas to promote conservation, interpretation, and economic revitalization through partnerships among municipal governments like Baltimore County, Maryland, county historical societies such as the Howard County Historical Society, nonprofit organizations like the Preservation Maryland and National Trust for Historic Preservation, tourism bureaus including Visit Maryland, and federal programs like the National Register of Historic Places. It emphasizes landscapes associated with events such as the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and industries tied to the Chesapeake Bay maritime network, coordinating with institutions like Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, College Park, and museum systems including the Maryland Center for History and Culture.

History and Establishment

Created by the Maryland General Assembly in 1996, the program followed models from states with heritage area legislation such as Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program and initiatives influenced by the National Heritage Areas Act and consultations with the National Park Service. Early advocacy came from preservationists associated with Preservation Maryland, local historians at institutions like St. Mary's College of Maryland and Salisbury University, and elected officials from delegations representing Montgomery County, Maryland and Prince George's County, Maryland. Legislative milestones involved debates in the Maryland General Assembly and approvals by the Governor of Maryland.

Program Structure and Governance

Administration resides within the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development with oversight from the Maryland Historical Trust and advisory input from regional commissions and steering committees featuring stakeholders from Baltimore Development Corporation, county planning departments such as Anne Arundel County, heritage area boards, nonprofit directors from organizations like Chesapeake Conservancy, and representatives of tribal entities including the Piscataway Conoy Tribe. Management plans align with criteria from the National Park Service and require cooperative agreements among local governments, business improvement districts, tourism offices like Visit Baltimore, museums including the B&O Railroad Museum, and preservation groups such as Historic Annapolis.

Designated Heritage Areas

Designations encompass a variety of thematic regions including maritime, agricultural, industrial, and cultural corridors. Examples include areas highlighting colonial settlements near St. Clement's Island State Park, maritime heritage along the Upper Chesapeake Bay, industrial heritage in neighborhoods of Baltimore, Maryland associated with the B&O Railroad, and cultural landscapes reflecting African American history connected to sites like Oakley Cabin and institutions such as Morgan State University. Other designated regions intersect with landmarks like Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, historic towns such as St. Michaels, Maryland, and rural districts near Elkton, Maryland.

Funding and Grants

Funding mechanisms combine state appropriations approved by the Maryland General Assembly, competitive matching grants administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, philanthropic contributions from foundations like the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, and federal assistance coordinated through the National Park Service and programs tied to the National Endowment for the Humanities. Grant recipients have included county visitor centers, historical societies such as the Calvert County Historical Society, preservation trusts including Annapolis Preservation, and local municipalities leveraging funds for projects at sites like the U.S. Naval Academy and cultural institutions like the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

Impact and Preservation Efforts

The program has supported rehabilitation of historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, interpretation projects at museums like the Maryland Science Center, conservation of maritime resources in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and heritage tourism initiatives promoted by destination marketing organizations such as Visit Annapolis and Visit Baltimore. Economic development outcomes reported by county economic development offices, tourism bureaus, and institutions like Towson University include job creation in hospitality sectors, increased visitation at sites like Fort McHenry, and reinvestment in downtown districts exemplified by revitalization projects in Frederick, Maryland and Ellicott City, Maryland.

Criticisms and Controversies

Critiques have addressed prioritization of resources between urban centers like Baltimore, Maryland and rural counties including Dorchester County, Maryland, debates over historic interpretation involving contested histories tied to slavery and indigenous displacement referenced by scholars at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Morgan State University, transparency in grant allocation scrutinized by local watchdog groups and media outlets such as the Baltimore Sun, and tensions between development interests like real estate firms and preservationists including Preservation Maryland. Legal and policy disputes have occasionally involved state officials, county councils, and stakeholders in reservoirs of industrial heritage such as port authorities associated with Port of Baltimore.

Category:Maryland