Guest blog by Lucille Walker, Executive Director of Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, and Co-Chair of the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition
Maryland faces the potential elimination of funding for Program Open Space through 2029, threatening many valuable programs. The Maryland Heritage Area program is also funded through the Program Open Space, and is fortunate to be listed for funding through 2029 in the current Maryland budget process. But nothing is certain. The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is one of the newest national heritage areas in the United States, and includes Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s counties. We are so fortunate that we are both a state and national heritage area, especially during these turbulent times. Maryland is unique. Maryland is only one of two states in the nation to have a state-based heritage area program, which shows that not only does Maryland value its heritage, it values the economics of heritage tourism. The thirteen heritage areas in Maryland touch every county and the City of Baltimore.
People in Southern Maryland turn to us for advocacy, advice, grants, promotion, and, very importantly, partnership building. This heritage area is critical to attracting cultural and heritage tourists to this rural peninsula, where Maryland began. Heritage is an interesting word. We are a “heritage area” not a “history area”. History is fundamental to everything we do: knowing it, discovering it, understanding and interpreting it, elevating lesser-known or previously unknown histories, and sometimes being part of correcting history.
But by its very nature “history” is in the past. Heritage is a bridge. Heritage brings history forward into the now and into the future. Our heritage includes our history, of course, but also our foodways, folkways, culture, art, song, dance, theater, landscapes, buildings, boats, barns, festivals, waterways, innovations, technologies, and much more. It is not only who we are, it is who we want to be.
These are difficult economic times for our state, and the Maryland Heritage Area Program is part of the solution. Below I am also highlighting the transformative work being done by fellow Maryland’s heritage areas. These designated areas preserve and promote the state’s diverse history, support local economies, and foster community engagement through education and tourism. Without funding, many projects will never reach their full potential, leaving gaps in the preservation of our shared heritage. Here’s a look at the critical work being carried out across the state and why it deserves continued support.
Beach to Bay Heritage Area
The Beach to Bay Heritage Area plays a fundamental role in sustaining the cultural and economic vitality of Maryland’s Lower Shore. By providing office equipment to small nonprofits with limited resources, it helps level the playing field, enabling them to apply for grants and grow their impact.
Restoration projects such as the Skipjack City of Crisfield—one of the few remaining skipjacks—demonstrate the area’s commitment to preserving maritime history. Similarly, the restoration of Tyree AME Church in the Germantown Community near Berlin, which received $100,000 in funding (leveraging over $300,000 in total), underscores the program’s power to save historical landmarks that serve as pillars of their communities.
Beach to Bay Heritage Area was also instrumental in designating the Smith Island Cake as the state dessert, a move that has boosted local economies in Smith Island and Crisfield. Additionally, the production of 14 interpretive signs highlighting African American history showcases the dedication to inclusive storytelling. However, the demand for funding far exceeds available resources. Last year alone, the area received $712,000 in project requests but could only award $272,000—illustrating the urgent need for increased support.
Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA)
BNHA fosters crucial partnerships that allow smaller, local histories to thrive. A prime example is its collaboration with the Peale Museum’s Accomplished Arts Apprentices (AAA), which introduces young individuals to preservation trades while teaching them about Baltimore’s artistic and historical legacy. Heritage tourism benefits immensely from these apprentices’ efforts to restore Baltimore’s architectural landmarks.
MHAA funding is also essential for supporting the city’s museums, which preserve narratives from the Underground Railroad, industrialization, and the Civil Rights movement. Projects like Obscure Legacy, a film exploring the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Peale Museum’s apprentice program would not be possible without this support. As Maryland moves into the FY26 grant cycle, uncertainty in funding threatens to stall or prevent landmark projects like America 250 and Maryland 250, which honor our nation’s founding and development.
Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG)
PHG’s EC250 Legacy Fund empowers local nonprofits to enhance Ellicott City’s historical and cultural appeal. By funding projects that educate, restore, and beautify the area, PHG ensures that visitors and residents alike can appreciate its rich history.
One of the standout projects is Geoffrey Baker’s Wilkins Rogers Worm Moon, the Best of Patapsco Winner in 2023 (below). This stunning image captures the glowing silos of the Wilkins Rogers Mill under March’s worm moon, symbolizing the deep connection between the region’s industrial past and natural landscape. This relationship is regularly explored through PHG’s Patapsco Days, Wagandt Memorial lectures, and community stewardship programs, further emphasizing the importance of preserving Maryland’s industrial heritage.
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area has played a vital role in supporting the Museum of the Ironworker at Catoctin Furnace, an essential addition to Maryland’s heritage tourism landscape. This museum interprets the lives and labor of the enslaved and free ironworkers who powered the region’s industry.
With MHAA funding, the museum building has been stabilized and restored, exhibits have been developed, and forensic busts of enslaved ironworkers have been created, bringing history to life in a tangible and meaningful way. These funds allow communities to tell new, inclusive stories that broaden our understanding of Maryland’s past.
Why Maryland Must Continue to Invest
Each of Maryland’s heritage areas tells a unique and essential part of the state’s story. They provide economic benefits through heritage tourism, create educational opportunities for residents and visitors, and ensure that historic places and traditions are preserved for future generations.
The Maryland Heritage Area Program has a $7 return on investment for every $1 of state funding. This tremendous return on investment would be enhanced by the legislation introduced (SB0980 and HB1327) to queue Maryland up for future growth, when times are better. The Maryland Heritage Areas are part of the solution. We are hoping that the current committees and the Maryland General Assembly will pass this economic initiative for Maryland’s future .
The impact of heritage area funding extends far beyond individual projects—it fuels local economies, strengthens communities, and keeps history alive. Maryland must continue to invest in its heritage areas to ensure that the stories, landmarks, and cultural identities that define the state are not lost to time. We, as heritage areas, work closely with all partners in Program Open Space to ensure that Maryland is a leader in heritage tourism, smart growth, conservation, and preservation. We work closely with the land trusts, Department of Natural Resources, farmers (MALPF), communities protected through the Rural Legacy Program and many more.
Now is the time to advocate. Our history – and future – depends on it.
Tell your Legislator: Reject the recommendation to eliminate funding for Program Open Space and consider the importance of the current Maryland Heritage Area legislation for Maryland’s future.