HUGHESVILLE, Md. — The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is pleased to announce that 11 of the region’s heritage tourism organizations recently received funding totaling $25,000 through the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area’s Seed Grant Program.
The seed grant initiative supports local organizations in developing projects and programming that raise awareness of the region’s diverse history, culture, and experiences. These grants will aid in revitalizing and expanding Southern Maryland’s distinctive historic sites, contributing to economic development and job growth.
“The impact of these small grants can be huge,” said Lucille Walker, executive director of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area. “It is from these starter grants that bigger programs and projects will grow. That is why we call them seed grants. These grants, when combined with the larger capital and non-capital grants from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority, champion the value of Southern Maryland’s heritage and incredible range of stories, cultures, and communities that make Maryland what it is.”
The response to the seed grant program was exceptional this year, with over $70,000 in applications for the $25,000 available.
“We hope to build on this grant program in the future, as this organization is able to access the designated federal funding,” said Walker. “The need is there, and we want to meet it.”
Seed Grant Recipients
• Town of Chesapeake Beach in partnership with Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum
“Art in the Park: Tales of the Past”
• American Chestnut Land Trust
“The Road to Nature: Connecting Route 4 to ACLT Hiking Trails”
• Ann’s Circle (Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center)
“Dowell Peninsula History Project”
• Bayside History Museum
“Early African American Boy Scouts of America during Segregation”
• Calvert County Commissioners
“Calvert County Heritage Wayside Markers with QR codes”
• Farm Heritage Conservancy
“Southern Maryland Heritage Garden, Commemoration of 400 Years”
• Friends of St. Clements Island and Piney Point Museums
“Stories of the United States Colored Troops Medal of Honor Recipients”
• Commissioners of Leonardtown
“Butterfly Trail Brochure and Native Plant Signage”
• Southern Maryland Folklife Center (St. Mary’s College of Maryland)
“Southern Maryland Folklife Center Workshops”
• Pride of Southern Maryland, Inc.
“Existence is Resistance” Pride SoMD 2025
• Greenwell Foundation
“Nature Recreational Programs”
These grants, when combined with the fiscal year 2026 Maryland Heritage Area Funding, bring a total of $393,365 to the Southern Maryland region through its heritage program.