01 - Welcome
What is the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area?
Southern Maryland is a living landscape where stories and places of the past are preserved and shared and cultural traditions thrive.
National Heritage Areas are places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes.
Recognizing Southern Maryland’s exceptional place in the nation’s history, the United States Congress authorized the creation of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area in 2022. Contained within Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s counties, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area brings federal, state, and private resources to promote heritage tourism, conserve natural landscapes, preserve the environment and cultural traditions, and enhance the local economy.
The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is one of 13 certified heritage areas in Maryland and one of 62 Congressionally designated national heritage areas across the country.
Southern Maryland’s history is vital to our nation’s heritage and future; however, we must recognize the complexity of its legacy.
Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance Southern Maryland through innovative heritage tourism experiences, comprehensive cultural and natural resource conservation, and excellence in educational opportunities. The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is also an economic engine, providing product development and increased economic activity throughout the region through grants, partnership building, and sustaining regional identity.
– Lucille Walker, Executive Director
The Launch of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area officially launched on May 25, 2023. This event highlighted the designation of Southern Maryland’s Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s counties into one national heritage area, passed into law by the U.S. Congress in December 2022, and signed into law by President Biden on January 5th, 2023.
