Hughesville, MD – The Executive Director and the Board of Directors of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area (Destination Southern Maryland) are pleased to announce $40,000 in Seed Grants (mini-grants) awarded to significant heritage tourism projects in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s County. These grants reflect substantial growth in the Southern Maryland Heritage Area. This Heritage Area has had a tremendous response to the Seed Grant Program, with close to $100,000 in grant requests for the $40,000 available in funding.  In keeping with the mission of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area, this granting opportunity is focused on preserving the heritage of the region through innovative tourism, excellence in cultural and natural resource conservation, and unique educational opportunities.  

Of the many excellent proposals received, the Board of Directors selected the following organizations and programs to receive the 2022 (FY 2023) Seed Grant Awards:

Calvert County

American Chestnut Land Trust – $3,500

• Creating a New Ecotourism Hiking Trail

Ann’s Circle (Annemarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center) – $3,000

• Dowell Peninsula Oral History Project

Bayside History Museum, Inc. – $2,000

• Interpreting the First African American Boy Scout Camp In Calvert County

Calvert Marine Museum – $3,500

• Estuarine Biology Exhibit Digital Signage

Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum – $3,500

• “Christmas Came When the Tobacco Was Sold” Exhibit

Charles County

Bel Alton High School Alumni Association CDC – $4,000

• Bel Alton High School National Register Nomination

Village of Port Tobacco  – $4,000

• Port Tobacco Village Agricultural Heritage Museum Green Parking

St. Mary’s County

Friends of the St. Clements Island and Piney Point Museums – $3,500

• New Exhibit for the U-1105 Submarine 

Historic Sotterley, Inc. – $3,500

• New Interpretive Signage for Historic Sotterley

Reach Back & Lift 1 – $2,000

• African American Heritage Augmented Reality

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation – $3,500

• Documenting the Enslaved Population at Cremona Estate  

St. Mary’s County Historical Society – $3,500

• Restoration of the Original Cannon from the Ark

Each of the programs selected for an award will enhance the Southern Maryland experience for visitors, residents, educators and businesses. Lucille Walker, Executive Director, notes that “we are so pleased that this grant opportunity continues to foster creative and innovative programs throughout the region. We are planning to host an award ceremony to honor the recipients early in 2023.”

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Destination Southern Maryland is the public face of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area. This state-based heritage area is one of the 13 Heritage Areas in Maryland and was founded in 2003. This organization represents Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Destination Southern Maryland is the heritage tourism entity for Southern Maryland with a mission to enhance the region through innovative heritage tourism experiences, comprehensive cultural and natural resource conservation, and excellence in educational opportunities. This organization assists Southern Maryland with economic development and works directly with the tourism entities in each of the three counties, as well as providing grants, building partnerships, and promoting regional identity. To learn more about Destination Southern Maryland, visit our website.