Please Support Full State Funding for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) and Heritage Montgomery!

Heritage Montgomery needs your help.  The budget for the Heritage Tourism program – the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) – has been cut dramatically.  The Governor’s budget fully funded ($3 million) MHAA.  But the Maryland Department of Planning has reduced MHAA funding by $1,450,000.  This would leave only $1,550,000 in funding for management, project, and marketing grants for all twelve heritage areas across the state.

Please consider sending an email to state delegates and senators (listed below) asking them to restore at least $1 million to the MHAA budget.  This would give the heritage areas $2.6 million to spend on this very rewarding program.  The funds leveraged in Montgomery County alone returned $5.43 on every dollar of State funding.

If you have any questions about this important issue, please contact us at:

director@heritagemontgomery.org or 301-515-0753.

Thank you for your support of Heritage Montgomery. 

SAMPLE LETTER:

I am writing as a friend of the Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County, asking that you restore full funding for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) in the FY 2013 budget.  

Funding for the program has been reduced by $1,450,000.  This will have a major impact on the heritage tourism program in Montgomery County.  We are requesting that the full $3,000,000 be appropriated.

The Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County currently has Intent to Apply forms for eleven MHAA grants totaling $305,000.  If this reduction in funding occurs, there will be little or no Program Grant funds in FY 2013 for any of the state’s twelve heritage areas. 

Please restore the funding for the Maryland Heritage Areas heritage tourism program.

Thank you for your support.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

House Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation & the Environment

Tawanna P. Gaines, Chair:  Tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us 

Steven J. DeBoy, Sr., Vice-Chair: Steven.deboy@house.state.md.us 

Susan L. M. Aumann: Susan.aumann@house.state.md.us 

Wendell R. Beitzel: Wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us 

James E. Proctor, Jr.:James.proctor@house.state.md.us 

Mary L. Washington: Mary.washington@house.state.md.us 

Craig J. Zucker: Craig.zucker@house.state.md.us 

Senate Budget & Taxation, Subcommittee on Public Safety, Transportation & Environment

James E. DeGrange, Sr., Chair: James.degrange@senate.state.md.us 

Richard F. Colburn: Richard.colburn@senate.state.md.us 

George C. Edwards: George.edwards@senate.state.md.us 

Verna L. Jones-Rodwell: Verna.jones@senate.state.md.us 

District 14 Delegation 

Senator Karen Montgomery: Karen.montgomery@senate.state.md.us 

Delegate Anne Kaiser: Anne.kaiser@house.state.md.us 

Delegate Eric Luedtke: Eric.luedtke@house.state.md.us 

Delegate Craig Zucker – already listed about on House subcommittee

District 15 Delegation  

Senator Rob Garagiola: Rob.garagiola@senate.state.md.us 

Delegate Kathleen DuMais: Kathleen.dumais@house.state.md.us 

Delegate Brian Feldman: Brian.feldman@house.state.md.us 

Delegate Aruna Miller:  Aruna.miller@house.state.md.us 

Please "cc" Heritage Montgomery: director@heritagemontgomery.org 

posted 1/31/12

 

"Life in a War Zone" at National Geographic!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - noon - Grosvenor Auditorium

National Geographic Society, 17th & M Streets NW, Washington DC

Join us for a screening of "Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War" as part of National Geographic's "Tuesdays at Noon" program.  There will be a discussion after the video with producer Barbara Grunbaum, narrator Greg Lewis, and HM executive director Peggy Erickson.  Admission is free.

 

Grand Opening of Historic Edward's Ferry Lockhouse 25

Open House Preview on Saturday, October 22 from 10am to 1pm

15213 Edward's Ferry Road, Poolesville, MD

Get a first peek at the beautifully restored Lockhouse 25 at Edward's Ferry, offering a glimpse of what life was like along the canal during the Civil War.

Visitors will be able to tour inside the lockhouse, learn local lore from park rangers, and toast marshmallows over an open campfire!

The Canal Quarters program, a partnership between the C&O Canal Trust and the C&O Canal National Historical Park, offers a unique overnight interpretive experience for visitors to the park.  Lockhouse 25 is the latest of six restored structures along the canal from Cabin John to Clear Spring.

Heritage Montgomery is pleased to have facilitated a $20,200 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority grant to the C&O Canal NHP for historic rehabilitation of Lockhouse 25.

For more information, or to reserve your stay at Lockhouse 25, visit www.CanalTrust.org or call 301-746-8889.

 

New Signature Brochure

Heritage Montgomery's new brochure is now available to pick up in the office or Download online. The convenient booklet form is easy to read and take along as you travel Montgomery sites.

 

Life in a War Zone on WETA TV, MTV and local channels!

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In conjunction with the Civil War Sesquicentennial, Heritage Montgomery has produced a 60-minute documentary film on the history of the Civil War in Montgomery County.  Historic and contemporary images of local heritage sites, first-person accounts, beautiful photography of unchanged rural landscapes, and a stirring musical soundtrack all help tell the fascinating story of the role our county played in the conflict. 

Heritage Montgomery’s Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War was shown on WETA TV throughout the month of August!

Heritage Montgomery wants to inspire the curiosity of locals and visitors alike, encouraging them to travel around the county to experience our area’s fascinating history first-hand. Visit HeritageMontgomery.org for a “sneak peek” of the video and more information about the Civil War in Montgomery County (or to purchase your own copy of the video and soundtrack) – plus details on other heritage area sites and programs!

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FY 2011 MHAA Grants Awarded

The Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County (Heritage Montgomery) is pleased to announce the local recipients of FY 2012 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) Grants totaling $163,000:

    * $47,000 Capital Grant to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for the restoration of the Poole (Seneca) Store in Poolesville
    * $9,000 Non-Capital Project Grant to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for Oakley Cabin Archeological Analysis & Interpretation in Olney
    * $7,000 Non-Capital Project Grant to Heritage Montgomery for Heritage Days and Civil War Programs
    * $100,000 Management Grant to Heritage Montgomery

MHAA oversees twelve locally administered, state-certified Heritage Areas that work with local non-profits, governments, and businesses to preserve and promote Maryland’s historic sites, unspoiled natural landscapes, and enduring traditions.

Even in difficult fiscal times, Governor Martin O’Malley has supported funding the Heritage Tourism program, recognizing it as a proven economic engine and a tool for preserving Maryland’s irreplaceable cultural, historic, and natural legacy.

Heritage Montgomery is particularly gratified to be able to help fund such important projects as the Poole Store restoration and Oakley Cabin Archeological project.

Built in 1901 by Frederick A. Allnutt, the Poole Store has been a fixture in the Poolesville/Seneca area for over 100 years, serving the rural, agricultural and equestrian communities.  The restoration of this local landmark preserves an important link to our farming history and provides a gateway to the beautiful Agricultural Reserve.

Oakley Cabin’s archeological analysis will help to finally establish a chronology of the log cabin, a 19th-century structure, and the history of its early residents for use in the interpretation of local African American history at the site.

Peggy Erickson, Executive Director of Heritage Montgomery, stated that “in this difficult economic environment, every dollar that we can bring to Montgomery County has a huge impact.  We value MHAA’s support of these important projects and we will continue to work to bring additional state dollars to benefit the County.

 

Heritage Days 2011 was a rousing success! 

Thank you to all of our supporters for coming out and enjoying the weekend! 

Watch this space for pictures from a glorious Heritage Days Weekend!

 

Watch Life in a War Zone on Public Television!

Heritage Montgomery has hit the big time!  Our Civil War video, Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War, is going to be aired on Maryland Public Television (MPT) and WETA-TV!   

The current schedule is:

• Sunday, July 3, 7 pm – MPT
• Wednesday, August 3, 8 pm – WETA
• Monday, August 22, 10 pm – WETA
• Wednesday, August 24, 3 pm – WETA
• Sunday, August 28, 2:30 pm – WETA

Please check your service provider’s listings for the correct channel number and watch us on television!

 

Warren Historic Site Receives African American Heritage Preservation Program Grant

Heritage Montgomery is pleased to announce the award of a $50,000 African American Heritage Preservation Program Grant to the Warren Historic Site in Martinsburg.

Awarded by the Maryland Commission on African American History & Culture (MCAAHC) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), the FY 2012 grant is for restoration of Warren’s Loving Charity Hall.  The Hall, built in 1914, is a rare example of the culturally significant African American fraternal benefit hall. 

In 1876, two acres of land were purchased by former slaves in the Martinsburg community who were members of the Warren Church.  In 1886 the Martinsburg Negro School was built on the property, followed by the Warren Church in 1903.

The Loving Charity Hall was part of a nationwide fraternal benefit society known as the “General Grand and Accepted Order of Brothers and Sisters of Love and Charity.”   The Hall provided important services to the community of former slaves including fraternal and social activities, economic support, and insurance benefits for members who would otherwise been denied such services.

Heritage Montgomery has worked with the Warren Historic Site Committee over the past six years to help identify potential funding sources and the professional services necessary to protect and preserve the property.

The fragile structure was stabilized in 2006 with $25,000 in emergency funding from the Montgomery County Council.  Thanks in part to this generous grant from MCAAHC and MHT, the Warren Historic Site Committee can begin the much-needed restoration work on the treasured Loving Charity Hall. 

Warren Historical Site was designated as a Montgomery County Historic Site on October 20, 1996.

posted 5/5/11
 

Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War

On March 16th, Heritage Montgomery hosted the "world premiere" of its documentary film, Life in a War Zone, to great acclaim!  The audience of 300 plus roundly praised the video's fascinating content and high-quality production.  Stirring musical performances by the Washington Revels rounded out the evening's entertainment.  Plans for additional screenings are currently being finalized.

Executive Producecd by Heritage Montgomery; written, produced & directed by Barbara Grunbaum of G2 Media; with a beautiful soundtrack produced by the Washington Revels, the video is as entertaining as it is educational. 

Click on the Civil War tab above to view the video online and to find out more about  Heritage Montgomery's Civil War Sesquicentennial products.

 

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Heritage Montgomery Wins 2010 Maryland Preservation Award for Heritage Days Weekend!