Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grants Fund Local Heritage Tourism Projects

News provided by

Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area

Jul 18, 2023, 08:00 ET


Frederick, MD (PRWEB) July 18, 2023 -- The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has announced the results of its latest project grant round, with awards totaling more than $5 million across the state’s thirteen certified Heritage Areas. Applicants located within the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, encompassing parts of Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties were awarded a total of $636,899.37 to support heritage tourism projects that support local economies, drive tourism, and share the unique history of our region.

“We are very pleased to be announcing these grants for our Heritage Area communities,” said Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Board President Kristen McMasters. “So much work is represented in all the high-quality applications from organizations located within the Heritage Area. There’s a high level of competition for this grant funding from the State, and it is gratifying to see so many strong organizations working towards preserving, interpreting and promoting our significant historical sites.”

Projects in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area receiving funding are as follows:

  • Catoctin Furnace Historical Society: $80,000 for stabilization for the future interpretation of the ironmaster’s mansion
  • Civil War Preservation Inc.: $90,000 for Acquisition of the Jacob Avery Tract at Antietam National Battlefield
  • Friends of Cunningham Falls State Park and Gambrill State Park, Inc.: $5,675.37 Civilian Conservation Corps Exhibit at Gambrill State Park
  • Friends of Halfway African American Cemetery: $13,000 for public access and fencing at Halfway African American Cemetery
  • Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $25,000 for legal rights and production materials for the House on Jonathan Street documentary
  • Main Street Middletown, MD, Inc.: $25,800 for implementing recommendations from the Visitor Experience Plan for the Welcome Center at 19 W. Main Street
  • African American Resources – Cultural and Heritage Society: $47,500 for fabrication and installation of the Amaze project
  • City of Westminster: $90,000 for Phase II interior environment stabilization at the historic Durbin House
  • Washington County Free Library: $17,424 for Preservation Microfilm of rare historic newspapers
  • Tourism Council of Frederick County: $47,500 for Frederick County Visitor Center Exhibit Redesign
  • Westminster Cemetery Company: $20,000 for digital enablement of the Historic Westminster Cemetery Records

In addition to the project grants listed above, the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area was awarded grants of $100,000 for management of the heritage area, $50,000 for marketing the heritage area, and $25,000 to be distributed as mini-grants to stakeholders in the region.

Elizabeth Scott Shatto, Executive Director, Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, http://www.heartofthecivilwar.org, (240) 285-6727, [email protected]