The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) announced seven matching grants totaling $415,000 for Baltimore non-profits and heritage tourism organizations, including four museums. The grant funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that draw visitors and expand economic development and tourism-related job creation in Baltimore.

“We are thrilled that so many worthy projects in Baltimore City were awarded grants,” said Jeffrey Buchheit, executive director of the Baltimore Heritage Area Association, the management entity of the Baltimore National Heritage Area. “These funds not only help improve significant historic sites and museums in the city, but will also help drive job creation, provide for sustainable tourism, and build a sense of pride and place in our historic neighborhoods.”

Four museums and three non-profit organizations in Baltimore will receive the MHAA grant funds. Projects include the restoration of two structures (the north passenger carshop at the B&O Railroad Museum and the Bromo Arts Tower); lighting and interior staircase improvements at the Phoenix Shot Tower; planning initiatives at the Jewish Museum of Maryland and the Maryland Historical Society; interpretive and wayfinding signage for the historic Auchentoroly Terrace neighborhood; and management support for the Baltimore National Heritage Area.

In total, MHAA awarded $2.6 million in 52 grants across the state. All funded projects must take place in one of thirteen of Maryland’s certified heritage areas. The Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA), certified in 2001, is one of the oldest in the state and is unique in that it is primarily urban. Like all other state heritage areas, BNHA fosters broad public-private partnerships to preserve and enhance cultural, historic and natural resources.