The African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland. The AAHPP is administered as a partnership between the Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC). The program typically receives an annual appropriation of $5,000,000 for grants per year.

The Maryland Historical Trust works with partner agencies, organizations, and volunteers to identify, study, evaluate, preserve, protect, and interpret the state's archaeological heritage. As part of this work, MHT surveys and documents archaeological sites, issues permits for archaeology, reviews state and federal projects, and offers programs to help connect the public to Maryland archaeology.

The Certified Local Government program recognizes counties and municipalities that have made a special commitment to preservation. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, establishing a qualified historic preservation commission to designate and review historic properties. Maryland's CLG program is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust in partnership with the National Park Service. CLG programs exist in every state and are supported through the federal Historic Preservation Fund. MHT awards 10% of its annual allocation from the Historic Preservation Fund to CLG projects and educational opportunities each year, with applications available in February.

Historic preservation laws require state and federal government agencies to consider the effects of their projects on historic and archaeological resources through a consultation process known as "Section 106" review. Through consultation with agencies, project sponsors, and the public, the Maryland Historical Trust—the State Historic Preservation Office—helps ensure that federal and state projects avoid, reduce or mitigate harm to historic and archaeological properties. MHT annually reviews over 6,000 projects—ranging from the rehabilitation of a home to large scale transportation improvements—that have received state or federal funds, permits, and licenses

The Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program promotes the acquisition, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic properties in Maryland. Eligible properties are limited to those which are listed in or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing structure within a district. The program typically receives an annual appropriation of $600,000 for grants per year.

The Maryland Historical Trust Historic Preservation Loan Program was established by the General Assembly in 1973 to encourage the preservation of historic properties statewide. Over 85 projects have been funded through the program.

Historic Preservation Non-Capital grants provide support for a wide variety of research, survey, planning, and educational activities involving architectural, archaeological, or cultural resources. Eligible activities may include preservation plans, historic and cultural resource surveys, educational outreach programs, and National Register nominations. In recent years, funding totaling $300,000 has been distributed from Maryland Heritage Areas Authority funding to the Maryland Historical Trust for non-capital grants.

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 locally designated Heritage Areas, each of which has a distinct focus or theme that represents a unique aspect of Maryland’s character.

The purpose of state and federal preservation tax incentives is to encourage private sector investment in the rehabilitation and re-use of historic buildings and to promote investment in local economies. If you own a certified historic property in Maryland, you may have the opportunity to earn a state income tax credit on qualified rehabilitation expenditures.

The State of Maryland’s preservation easements are managed by the Maryland Historical Trust, which holds more than 650 easements encompassing approximately 9,200 acres statewide. MHT staff work with property owners to develop easement terms, review and approve any changes or alterations to the property, and advise owners on the best preservation methods.

The Maryland Preservation Awards, presented annually by the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Historical Trust, are the highest level of recognition for historic preservation, heritage education, and community development projects in Maryland. The awards honor and celebrate significant achievements by individuals, businesses, contractors, non-profit organizations, local governments, and others who protect, promote, share, and give continued life to the historic places and cultural heritage that make Maryland unique.

The National Register of Historic Places recognizes districts, buildings, structures, objects, and sites for their significance in American history, archaeology, architecture, engineering, or culture, and identifies them as worthy of preservation. The National Register is a program of the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and is administered at the State level by the Maryland Historical Trust. The National Register currently comprises over 1500 listings in Maryland, including some 200 historic districts.

The Maryland Historical Trust engages in planning for historic properties and cultural heritage on statewide, regional, and local levels. MHT may also participate in planning for individual properties where the agency has a formal role, such as a historic preservation easement or via state and federal project review. MHT also supports preservation planning activities led by partner agencies and organizations through grants and technical assistance.

Research and survey are the foundation of all preservation activity. The first step in the protection and interpretation of historic and cultural resources is to fully understand the object, site, or event. MHT’s Research and Survey program takes the lead in identifying important resources and developing a detailed record of their past and present appearance, history, and significance.