Back in April 2023 Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced increased funding for the African American Heritage Preservation Program to an annual appropriation of $5 million, up from $1 million annually. Now, Governor Moore announced that the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Trust have awarded 24 African American Heritage Preservation Program grants totaling $5,000,000 to Maryland non-profit groups for FY 2024. The grants will offer assistance to organizations and private citizens in their sponsorship of projects involving the acquisition, construction, or improvement of sites related to African American heritage. This year’s grant awards range from $63,500 to $250,000.
Award recipients include:
Robert W. Johnson Community Center – Hagerstown, Washington County*
$150,000 awarded to Robert W. Johnson Community Center, Inc.
*As part of our ongoing work in the Jonathan Street community in Hagerstown, Preservation Maryland oversaw stabilization repairs to the Robert W. Johnson Community Center. Other work in the Jonathan Street community includes asset mapping and tech infrastructure, which allows communities to remain vibrant and livable.
Hoppy Adams House – Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
$245,000 awarded to Charles W. “Hoppy” Adams Jr. Foundation, Inc.
American Hall – Hagerstown, Washington County
$250,000 awarded to The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Maryland and Its Jurisdiction, Inc.
Upton Mansion, Baltimore City
$250,000 awarded to Afro Charities, Inc.
Henry’s Hotel, Ocean City, Worcester County
$250,000 awarded to Henry Hotel Foundation, Inc.
Historic Oliver Community Firehouse – Baltimore City
$247,000 awarded to African American FireFighters Historical Society, Inc.
Brown’s UMC Multi Cultural Heritage Center – Port Republic, Calvert County
$250,000 awarded to Brown’s UMC Multi Cultural Heritage Center, Inc.
Buffalo Soldier Living History Site – Eden, Wicomico County
$250,000 awarded to Buffalo Soldier Living History Site Co.
Brewer Hill Cemetery – Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
$250,000 awarded to Brewer Hill Cemetery Association, Inc.
The Bellevue Passage Museum – Royal Oak, Talbot County
$250,000 awarded to Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Inc.
The Fruitland Community Center – Fruitland, Wicomico County
$203,000 awarded to Fruitland Community Center, Inc.
Grasonville Community Center – Grasonville, Queen Anne’s County
$250,000 awarded to Grasonville Community Center
Malone Methodist Episcopal Church – Madison, Dorchester County
$250,000 awarded to Harrisville/Malone Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Inc.
Bryan’s Chapel and Cemetery – Grasonville, Queen Anne’s County
$250,000 awarded to Bryan’s United Methodist Church, Inc.
Locust United Methodist Church – Columbia, Howard County
$233,500 awarded to Locust United Methodist Church
Two Sisters’ Houses (Caulkers’ Houses) – Baltimore City
$250,000 awarded to The Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fells Point, Inc.
The Yellow/Hearse House – Chestertown, Kent County
$200,000 awarded to Kent County Public Library
Jones & Moore Luncheon/Bambricks Cards & Gifts – Cambridge, Dorchester County
$138,000 awarded to Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation
Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church – Meeting Hall and Cemetery – Arnold, Anne Arundel County
$186,000 awarded to Mt. Calvary Community Engagement Incorporated
Ridgley Methodist Church and Cemetery – Landover, Prince George’s County
$111,000 awarded to Mildred Ridgley Gray Charitable Trust, Inc.
Scotland African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church – Potomac, Montgomery County
$104,000 awarded to Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church
Bushy Park Community Cemetery – Cooksville, Howard County
$63,500 awarded to Bushy Park Community Cemetery, Inc.
James Stephenson House, Enslaved Quarters – Havre de Grace, Harford County
$119,000 awarded to Maryland Department of Natural Resources
American Legion Mannie Scott Post 193 Building – Denton, Caroline County
$250,000 awarded to The American Legion, Department of Maryland, Mannie Scott Post #193, Inc.