Consider Supporting NEH Funding

There are multiple proposals to eliminate funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities circulating on Capitol Hill as appropriations hearings begin in the House of Representatives this week. Link to the National Humanities Alliance to find out how you can help. http://cqrcengage.com/nhalliance/home

Beyond the Battle: The Bladensburg History Project

The Bladensburg History Project will create historical narratives in support of the visitation experience and interpretation of historic places connected to the 1814/1864 commemorations in Bladensburg.  The purpose of these narratives is to provide a sense of context not just for the people, places and events directly associated with 1814 and 1864 commemorative years, but also to evoke an appreciation of the rich heritage and myriad stories over time that makes Bladensburg and its geographic region a place that matters.  A second goal is to show historical connections between Bladensburg and the rest of Prince George’s County, Washington DC, the Chesapeake Bay region, and the wider world.

The project involves a team of historians headed by a project coordinator/editor.  The historians will conduct research on 12 key themes that tell the story of Bladensburg.  The starting points for the research are military events: the Battle of Bladensburg in the War of 1812 and the impact of the Civil War.  But the ultimate goal is to look more broadly and assemble a contextual framework that supports a richer appreciation of Bladensburg by visitors.  The historians will complete thematic essays with supporting documentation by March 2012.   A project coordinator/editor will manage the process and provide quality control.  The final product will be delivered by August 2012, in time to serve as a resource for parallel projects focused on the visitor experience in Bladensburg.

Find out more:BHP Description Aug 2012

http://beyondthebattleofbladensburg.blogspot.com/

 

Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission held the first annual Sustainable Growth Forum

The Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission held the first annual Sustainable Growth Forum on February 5, 2013 in Annapolis, MD. The focus of this first forum was economic opportunities created by smart growth. The commission recognized the individuals, organizations and projects that have contributed significantly to sustainability and smart growth in Maryland presenting seven Sustainable Growth Awards at the forum.  PGH Board Member Stacey Hawkins attended the event. 

Learn more about this Commission and the Awards: http://planning.maryland.gov/YourPart/773/MSGC_Awards2013.shtml

Please play an active role in your community development with ongoing information from the Maryland Department of Planning at www.mdp.state.md.us/ and help your community with sustainable growth and environmental advocacy. Join the Maryland Department of Sustainability.

Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Plan is being updated!

Research and outreach to begin in February. We encourage you to review this plan …

CROWNSVILLE, MD (February 14, 2013) – The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), an agency of the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), today announced that efforts to update Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Plan are underway. The goal of the preservation plan is to gain a full understanding of the issues facing historical and cultural resources in Maryland and to identify innovative strategies for their recognition, long term care, and enhancement.

This year-long plan update process will rely upon public participation throughout 2013. Outreach efforts begin with an online survey currently underway. This spring, MHT will conduct interviews with major stakeholders and then, during May and June, will host public forums at various locations statewide. Following the analysis phase over the summer, the plan will be published later this fall.

State historic preservation plans are prepared periodically, in part, to comply with National Park Service requirements. Plans must be updated in order for state historic preservation offices to remain eligible to participate in the national historic preservation program. The previous plan was published in 2005.

You may visit the MHT website for a more detailed description of the planning process and many of the key issues that will be covered by the plan at mht.maryland.gov/plan or “like” us on Facebook atPreserveMaryland. To participate in the online survey, visit the MHT website or go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/MDPRESPLAN. Contact Tim Leahy at (410) 514-7625 or tleahy@mdp.state.md.us with questions and comments.

12th Night Reception and Supper Warmed all that Came

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12th Night Reception and Supper at Mount Hope, The 1783 plantation home of Dale Manty and Liz Tuckermanty. Thank you to our gracious hosts for such a great night of food, friends, and fun.

History in the Making: Community Conversations

Alfonso Narvaez from the Prince Georges County Historical & Cultural Trust History (PGCHCT) spoke about the 2012 History in the Making Program.  This was a series of lectures designed to be a community conversation about the history of our area and how to reveal, present and share it. The program was created in partnership with Prince George’s Heritage Inc., Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc., Potomac River Heritage Tourism Alliance and the Maryland Indian Tourism Association with support from the Prince George’s County History Consortium, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the African American Heritage Preservation Group.  This project was made possible by a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Lectures were held:

• February 22nd: Mt. Rainier, MD
• April 25th: Laurel, MD
• May 23rd: Oxon Hill, MD
• June 20th: Upper Marlboro, MD

All of the events had community leaders both from the private and government sectors attend. Many city council members and Maryland House of Delegates spoke.  Conversations were locally driven and some were livelier than others. All of them had attendance from the local community, many who were newcomers to the historic preservation scene.

Not only was the program successful but it was accomplished under budget. Money was returned to the Maryland Humanities Council because many site locations donated space to help make this possible. It was the PGCHCT’s Board’s suggestion to continue the lecture series without the need of another Maryland Humanities Council Grant by working within the programs preservation partners.  This was a successful venue that should be modeled for future conversations.

Contact PGCHCT of PGH if you are interested in partnering with us for another History in the Making: Community Conversation this year.

For more details, visit: http://www.marylandmilestones.org/making-history.

Hello world!

Welcome to Prince George’s Heritage’s Blog. This blog was launched in early 2013 in order to complement PGH’s range of services including grants programs, preservation, education, and restoration projects.