Baltimore - Maryland State officials today announced funding exceeding $5.4 million in funding for museums, heritage areas and capital improvements projects across the state.
"Our investment in the arts, our museums, heritage and culture is an investment in Maryland's future," said Governor Ehrlich. "Artistic and cultural institutions contribute to our quality of life in immeasurable ways and they help drive the State's economic engine, generating over $900 million dollars and producing nearly 13,000 full and part-time jobs."
Many of the organizations receiving funding for FY-2007 are affiliated with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), an agency of the Maryland Department of Planning that works to preserve Maryland's legacy.
"These funds will support organizations of every size, from our world-class museums to our small community theaters," said Audrey E. Scott, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning.
MHT manages four major programs designed to preserve and restore historic structures, support cultural museums, and heritage areas and undertake research, planning and educational activities. The funds are awarded through a competitive process. Total funding for FY2007 for MHT's Capital Historic Preservation Grant Program, the Non-Capital Historic Preservation Grant, the Historic and Cultural Museum Advancement Grant Program, and the Maryland Heritage Areas Grant Program totaled $5,441,226.
According to Rodney Little, director of the Maryland Historical Trust, state funds will help support capital improvements, heritage area activities and museums like the Star Spangled Banner Flag House Association, the B & O Railroad Museum, and organizations such as the Accokeek Foundation and the Maryland Historical Society, to name a few of the projects earning awards.
"Through research, conservation, and education, MHT assists the citizens of Maryland in understanding their historical and cultural heritage and works with them to preserve and protect Maryland's historic treasures," added Little.
The following organizations in Southern Maryland received funding in the total amount of $210,200.:
County Commissioners of Calvert County
Preservation of Railcar Dolores at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum
$ 30,000
Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc.
Project activities include interviewing residents of Solomons and Broome Islands to inform public interpretation and as research for new publication.
$ 9,950
Commissioners of Charles County
Rehabilitation of Burch House and outdoor interpretation at Port Tobacco.
$ 55,000
Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland
Project activities include support for operations and activities of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area
$ 50,200
The Charles County Historical Trust, Inc.
Project work includes the publication and distribution of an architectural history book for Charles County.
$ 50,000
Commissioners of St. Mary's County
Enhancement of Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park.
$ 80,000
Greenwell Foundation, Inc.
Project activities include development of River Riders Program, a fully accessible water program.
$ 14,500
Historic St. Mary's City Commission
Project activities include assistance for development of Garrett Van Sweringen interpretive exhibit.
$ 20,000
Chesapeake Bay Field Lab, Inc.
Project activities include collection of oral histories of watermen and related resources and development of exhibit material based on same.
$ 50,000
RELATED INFORMATION:
Maryland Historical Trust
http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/
Maryland Department of Planning
http://www.mdp.state.md.us/