Heritage tourism and safety measures in Baltimore got a significant boost on Friday thanks to the Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA) distribution of grants.
More than $200,000 was awarded through three grant programs: the Baltimore Small Capital Grant, the original Neighborhood Placemaking Grant, and a special Safety and Security Neighborhood Placemaking Grant.
A “heritage area” is a place “where historic structures, landscapes, cultural traditions, and other resources (such as parks and museums) work together to tell patterns of history unique to the location,” according to the BNHA website.
The Small Capital Grant Program is made possible by bonds approved by Baltimore City voters. The program makes small investments in heritage tourism, funding various programs and activities that since 2004 has included 158 projects promoting heritage tourism, totaling more than $1.5 million.
The Neighborhood Placemaking Grant Program was launched in 2018, designed to invest in cultural heritage tourism projects. It’s a highly competitive program awarding funds from $1,500 to $5,000 with a required match. This program focuses on funding programs that “provide a more visitor-friendly and visitor-ready environment, balance community and tourism, increase awareness of the Baltimore National Heritage Area and its resources for neighborhoods, and enhance the quality of life through heritage tourism stewardship in Baltimore’s heritage areas,” according to the press release announcing the grants.
BNHA also received $25,000 in funds through a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Grant to advance neighborhood safety projects and greening projects.
Recipients of all the funds announced include “museums, parks, historic sites, churches, community organizations, and other entities that steward and celebrate the unique cultural and natural resources within the Baltimore National Heritage Area,” according to the release.
The Small Capital Grant Program gave $20,000 to the Pride of Baltimore II for their 2024 Dry Docking project, $20,000 to the Downtown Sailing Center for their Inclusive Sailing Initiative, $15,0000 to the Mt. Clare Historic House Museum to its project to repair crumbled steps, and more.
The Neighborhood Placemaking Grant gave $4,550 to the Friends of Herring Run Parks, Inc for their Share Your Heritage Festival, $1,500 to the Greater Baybrook Alliance for their Baybrook Creative Placemaking Outreach project, $2,500 to Charles Street Development for the Charles Street Promenade 2024 project, and more.
The Safety and Security Neighborhood Placemaking Grant Award gave $5,000 to Poe Baltimore Inc for their Poe House External Video Monitoring project, $5,000 to The Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture, Inc. for their Security Enhancements at The Peale project, $5,000 to the Midtown Community Benefits District Alleys for their Alleys to Assets Community Art project, and more.
“This year, we were able to bring another $200,000 to neighborhoods and organizations seeking to preserve Baltimore heritage, attract visitors, ensure safety and security, and enhance the quality of life in the city,” said Shauntee Daniels, executive director of BNHA. “BNHA remains proud of the funds we can award to the community to further their efforts.”
To view the interactive map that assesses the geographic equity of past grant investments and helps BNHA ensure future outreach and equity in grant funding, click this link.
