A Heritage Partnership

Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. (ESHI), evolved out of a work group formerly known as Heritage Partnership for Maryland's Upper Eastern Shore.  This group, composed of representatives from the four counties of Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot, has been working on heritage tourism since 1998, when we retained JMA/Watson of Bladensburg, MD, to do a feasibility analysis of the region.

8 Themes

From data collected during the first public forum (October 1997) sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarbanes, and from subsequent workshops in each of the four counties, JMA/Watson helped us identify the many resources and unique qualities of the region.  The resource inventory was used to to develop a list of 8 Interpretive Themes which help tell the story of our region.

A Sense of Place

The story of the Eastern Shore is conveyed through our small towns, productive farmlands, open spaces, diverse habitat, wildlife, and connection to the Chesapeake Bay. This scenic landscape, with its distinctive natural and cultural features, defines our ‹sense of placeþ. At the same time, it helps attract appreciative visitors to the community.

Heritage tourism, by its very definition, helps tell the story of a place.  Through the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA), there are matching grants and tax credits available for economic development linked to tourism.

Heritage Area Recognition and Certification

In July 2000, the four counties submitted an Application for Recognition to the MHAA, which MHAA subsequently approved.  Recognition will allow us to  apply for matching grant funds to develop a Management Action Plan for the region.  Successful completion of this plan, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2004, will enable our heritage area to obtain Certification.  Heritage Area Certification provides access to tax benefits.

ESHI's Management Role

Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc., will serve as the management agent for purposes of applying for disbursing funds in the four-county region. All projects identified in the Management Action Plan will serve the region's long-term stewardship goals.