The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) announced seven matching grants totaling $353,300 for Baltimore nonprofits and heritage tourism organizations, including three 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.”

Three museums and four non-profit organizations in Baltimore will receive the MHAA grant funds. Projects include the restoration of three structures (the historic shipyard crane at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Orianda House in Leakin Park, and The Peale Museum); new exhibits and educational programming will be supported at the B&O Railroad Museum (The Great Railroad Strike of 1872) and Homewood Museum (Enslaved at Homewood); educational outreach for the Baltimore Fleet Week and Air Show 2016; and management support for the Baltimore National Heritage Area.

Outward Bound Baltimore received a capital grant to help restore the historic Orianda House in Leakin Park. Photo courtesy of the Friends of Orianda House

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.