Heritage Areas
About heritage areas
Heritage areas promote, support, and create place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike, highlighting Maryland’s historic, cultural, and natural resources to strengthen local economies.
The state's heritage area boundaries touch all 23 counties and the city of Baltimore, and each has a distinctive focus or theme that reflects a unique aspect of Maryland's character.
Heritage areas are designated through the Maryland Heritage Areas Program. Some of Maryland’s heritage areas are also designated as National Heritage Areas by the federal government and receive federal support.
What will I find in a heritage area?
Heritage areas typically include:
- Historic buildings and/or districts
- Cultural traditions
- Unique natural landscapes
- Museums, trails, and parks
- Local food, music, and art
Explore Maryland's heritage areas
Each of Maryland’s 13 heritage areas are certified by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) and managed locally by an organization with its own staff and board. Through the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, heritage area management entities receive annual grants for management, marketing, and mini-grants to local organizations. This helps fulfill the vision and results of the program at the local level.
The 13 heritage areas
(Prince George’s County) The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area preserves and promotes the natural, historical, and cultural resources of Prince George’s County.
Contact: Mx. Meagan Baco, Executive Director | 301-887-0777 | [email protected]
(Baltimore City) The Baltimore National Heritage Area promotes, preserves, and enhances Baltimore's historic and cultural legacy and natural resources for current and future generations.
Contact: Ms. Shauntee Daniels, Executive Director | 410-919-8414 | [email protected]
(Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties) The Beach to Bay Heritage Area promotes, preserves, and protects the cultural heritage, historical linkages, and natural assets of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore.
Contact: Ms. Lisa Challenger, Executive Director | 443-783-3035 | [email protected]
(Anne Arundel County) The Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area’s mission is to advance, support, and promote the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the region.
Contact: Ms. C. Jane Cox, Executive Director | 410-222-1805 | [email protected]
(Dorchester County) The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area’s mission is to broaden and deepen the beneficial effect of heritage tourism on the local economy through advocacy, interpretation, and preservation that enhances assets and people’s awareness, understanding, and appreciation of those assets.
Contact: Ms. Holly Gilpin, Heritage Area Director | 410-228-1000 | [email protected]
(Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties) The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area — with its partners — preserves and promotes the historic sites, towns, cultural landscapes, and diverse stories in Carroll, Frederick, and Washington County.
Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Scott Shatto, Executive Director | 240-285-6727 | [email protected]
(Cecil and Harford Counties) The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Area provides leadership, technical assistance, and advocacy to guide land use decisions that enhance our quality of life by supporting expanded recreation and economic opportunities, and to promote a sustainable healthy lifestyle.
Contact: Ms. Brigitte Carty, Executive Director | 410-457-2482 | [email protected]
(Montgomery County) Heritage Montgomery is dedicated to preserving and promoting local history, culture, and distinctive natural areas and fostering a sense of stewardship and pride in our community.
Contact: Ms. Sarah Rogers, Executive Director | 301-515-0753 | [email protected]
(Garrett County) The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area is a program of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce that works with stakeholders, partners, and businesses to implement the Heritage Area Management Plan by offering technical and financial assistance for heritage-related initiatives that preserve valuable heritage resources and enhance tourism in the county.
Contact: Ms. Amber Sanders, Heritage Area Director | 301-387-5238 | [email protected]
(Allegany County) In cooperation with local, state, and federal stakeholders, the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area’s mission is to effectively manage the property and facilities at Canal Place and be a catalyst for the enhancement, preservation, and promotion of the assets and attractions within the Heritage Area in order to foster economic development and heritage tourism in Allegany County.
Contact: Ms. Deidra L. Ritchie, Executive Director | 301-724-3655 or 800-989-9394 | [email protected]
(Baltimore and Howard Counties) As the non-profit managing organization for the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area, Patapsco Heritage Greenway is dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting, and restoring the environment, history, and culture of Maryland’s most dramatic river valley for all.
Contact: Mr. Aaron Shapiro, Executive Director | 410-696-1328 | [email protected]
(Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties) The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area’s mission is to enhance Southern Maryland through innovative heritage tourism experiences, comprehensive cultural and natural resource conservation, and excellence in educational opportunities.
Contact: Ms. Lucille Walker, Executive Director | 301-274-4083 or 301-343-277 (m) | [email protected]
(Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties) The Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area works with community partners to tell the story of Maryland’s Eastern Shore through preservation and enriching experiences to promote the cultural and natural heritage of the region while enhancing its economic vitality.
Contact: Ms. Gail Owings, Executive Director | 410-778-1460 | [email protected]