The Maryland Heritage Areas Program

In June 2000, Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc., presented an application to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for designation of our four counties as a Recognized Heritage Area.  The MHAA subsequently recognized our area under the working name of ‹Caroline - Kent - Queen Anne‰s - Talbot Heritage Area.Š

The Recognition Application is available for download in MS Word format.

The Recognition Application described Heritage Area activities that will focus on the interpretation of these themes:

• Water Ö life on and around the waterways of the Eastern Shore;
   
• Nature Öthe natural heritage that has drawn humans here for centuries;
   
• Colonial and Early National Settlement Ö life at the dawning of the nation;
   
• Agriculture Ö life on and from the land;
   
• Religion Ö faith in the New World without persecution;
   
• African American Heritage Ö the contributions and tribulations of a key component of regional culture;
   
• Small-Town Life Ö the front porch culture and easy pace of life on the Eastern Shore; and
   
• Prehistory Ö life on the Eastern Shore before European contact.

The Application asserts that development of heritage resourcesÖhistoric, natural, and culturalÖwould strengthen and diversify the region‰s economy and employment base, its tourism economy, and related industries.

The Application describes how the development of heritage resources will be managed by a collection of partners including the four county governments, historical societies, museum operators, heritage site operators, business and economic development organizations, tourism organizations, citizen groups, environmental organizations, and other interested parties. These partners will operate under the guidance and support of Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc., a new nonprofit organization that brings the partners together, linking them with technical and financial assistance from within and outside the Eastern Shore.

After the Eastern Shore Heritage Area is recognized by the MHAA, ESHI will begin to develop a Management Plan for the Area.  This Plan is a prerequisite for Heritage Area Certification, which will make the the Area eligible for grants and investment incentives.