Maryland’s Heritage Areas are places to experience
– to see, hear, and even taste – the authentic heritage
of Maryland in ways that you cannot anywhere else!
– to see, hear, and even taste – the authentic heritage
of Maryland in ways that you cannot anywhere else!
For a little state, Maryland is packed with history, stories, and quirks no one else has. The Maryland Heritage Area Program isn’t just about old buildings and plaques—it’s about figuring out who we are, who we’ve been, and who we’re trying to be. With 13 unique heritage areas covering every county and Baltimore City, this program stiches together all the beautiful, challenging, and fascinating parts of Maryland into something we can all be proud of.
An Economic Powerhouse Hiding in Plain Sight
Heritage Areas are not just good for the soul; they are also very good for the wallet. For every $1 Maryland invests in this program, it gets $7 back. That means:
$2.4 Billion Dollar Impact
$2.4 Billion pumped into the loccal economy every year
$319.8 Million in Taxes
$319.8 Million in state and local taxes
40,000 Jobs Supported
40,000 jobs are supported in the hospitality industry from museum guards to trail builders
But We Are Leaving Potential on the Table
Currently, this valuable program is running on fumes. The funding has been limited to $6 million and demands far outpace supply. Over the past three years, an $8 million funding gap has kept great ideas on the shelf instead of in your community. Those $100,000 annual management grants for local heritage areas have not changed in 30 years—and now are only worth $62,000 in real dollars. Meanwhile, the workload has tripled.
What Could Be...
With the $12 million investment now requested by the Maryland Heritage Areas, we could:
Fully-fund impactful cultural tourism projects and programs that drive local economies and create jobs
Get fully ready for the huge anniversaries of America's 250th in 2026 and Maryland's 400th in 2034
Ensure that every Marylander's story is told from the foothills of Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore
Why Now?
This is the moment. Maryland has the stories, the places, and the people—it simply needs the resources to bring it all together. Let’s invest in a future worth remembering. Let’s make sure Maryland’s heritage is not just preserved, but celebrated year after year, by everyone fortunate enough to call this place home.
Invest in Maryland's heritage.
Invest in Maryland's future.
Invest in Maryland's future.
Fast Facts
Maryland Heritage Areas are an economic engine throughout the state, with a $7 return on investment for every $1 in state funds.
The requested increase in funding from the transfer tax will directly benefit our communities, counties, cities, and provide economic growth, with no impact to the general fund.
Increasing the heritage area funds from Program Open Space will not decrease any other Open Space funding, since the transfer tax has grown.
The majority of Heritage Area funding goes directly back to Maryland communities, municipalities, counties, businesses, nonprofits, and other entrepreneurial organizations.
Recognizing the tight budget year, an increase in Maryland Heritage Areas funding, and allowing the grants themselves to increase to reflect inflationary pressures, will spur economic growth and sustainability throughout the state.
Heritage Tourism is a powerhouse, providing funding throughout the state with no taxes! Heritage tourists stay longer and spend more money that other tourists.
Heritage Areas provide pride of place, and a reason to visit, stay longer, and live in Maryland!
This is Maryland’s Decade, and as we head towards the 250th of our Nation and the 400th of our State, Maryland Heritage Areas are leading the way.
About Heritage Areas
Maryland has the most robust and effective
State Heritage Area program in the United States.
Heritage Areas exist where the stories of the people, the land, and the waters of Maryland, which have been intertwined for thousands of years, are told.
In Maryland's thirteen Heritage Areas individuals, businesses, nonprofits and governments form partnerships to preserve the best of Maryland's historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes and enduring traditions.
These tangible links to both place and the past encourage residents to recognize they have a special piece of the American story to treasure and share with others, and that in doing so they create more livable and economically sustainable communities.
The Maryland Heritage Areas Program is governed by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) and administered by the Maryland Historical Trust.
MHAA provides targeted financial and technical assistance within thirteen designated Heritage Areas, each of which has a distinct focus or theme that represents a unique aspect of Maryland’s character.
Local partners operating within Heritage Areas may be eligible for a variety of benefits designed to support economic development through heritage tourism, including grants, tax credits, and loans.
What We Do
Together, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, each Heritage Area, and its local partners support the economic well-being of Maryland's communities by promoting, sustaining and creating place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike. We accomplish this work through partnerships, grantmaking, advocacy, and outreach.
Partnerships &
Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance
Seed Funding & Grants
Liaise with State and Local Grantees for Success
Joint Marketing & Program Awareness
Maryland's Heritage Areas
Each of Maryland's Heritage Areas is operated separately, some are private non-profits while some are part of county governments. The leaders of each Heritage Area meet regularly as the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition to share information, resources, and to advocate for the program at the state level.
Anacostia Trails
Heritage Area
(Maryland Milestones)
Prince George's County
Heritage Area
(Maryland Milestones)
Prince George's County
Baltimore National
Heritage Area
Baltimore City
Heritage Area
Baltimore City
Beach to Bay
Heritage Area
Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties
Heritage Area
Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties
Chesapeake Crossroads
Heritage Area
(Four Rivers
Heritage Area/Annapolis London Town & South County Heritage Area (ALTSCHA))
Anne Arundel County
Heritage Area
(Four Rivers
Heritage Area/Annapolis London Town & South County Heritage Area (ALTSCHA))
Anne Arundel County
Southern Maryland
National Heritage Area
Calvert, Charles, and
St. Mary's Counties
National Heritage Area
Calvert, Charles, and
St. Mary's Counties
Heart of the Chesapeake Country Heritage Area
(I Love Dorchester/Visit Dorchester)
Dorchester County
(I Love Dorchester/Visit Dorchester)
Dorchester County
Heritage Montgomery
(Montgomery County
Heritage Area)
Montgomery County
(Montgomery County
Heritage Area)
Montgomery County
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties
Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Area
(Upper Bay Trails)
Cecil and Harford Counties
(Upper Bay Trails)
Cecil and Harford Counties
Mountain Maryland
Gateway to the West
Garrett County
Gateway to the West
Garrett County
Patapsco Vallery
Heritage Greenway
Baltimore and Howard Counties
Heritage Greenway
Baltimore and Howard Counties
Passages of the Western Potomac
Heritage Area
Allegany County
Heritage Area
Allegany County
Stories of the Chesapeake
Heritage Area
Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot Counties
Heritage Area
Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot Counties
Photos
Latest News
Let's Meet!
Learn what we're up to as a Coalition and individual Heritage Areas. Note: You may be redirected to Blogger. Protip: Sign up for email newsletters from each Heritage Area to stay in the loop, get resources, and special event invitations.
We are out and about around Maryland and the county e-v-e-r-y d-a-y and we'd love to meet up with you at these upcoming events or please reach out via email to set up individual meetings.
2/14/25: Maryland Tourism Day in Annapolis
2/17-19/25: Small Museum Conference in Gaithersburg
6/22-25/25: Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference
8/13-15/25: MACo Summer Conference