March 2021

Join us tonight at 6:00 pm for the 3rd Annual Michelle Obama Awards in honor of Women’s History Month. About the awards Now in its third year, this award is designed to recognize women in our county who embody former First Lady Michelle Obama’s spirit. Compassionate, graceful, and intelligent are some of the words many have used to describe Mrs. Obama. The women we honor this year possess these same characteristics. Each of them is doing incredible work in our communities in their own way. The theme for this year’s awards...

It's an important week for events in the Four Rivers Heritage Area! Join us in congratulating our Executive Director, Dr. Carol Benson, for receiving a Michelle Obama Award from Anne Arundel County and the Caucus of African American Leaders, then learn more about our boundary expansion plans as the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority hosts a virtual hearing as part of the Boundary Amendment process. Or listen to a webinar from one of our partners! Thanks! Click on the event title for more information. POSTPONED Virtual Lecture – A Return to 1774: The...

Applications will be available Thursday, April 1, 2021 and will be due July 1, 2021. About the African American Heritage Preservation Program The African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland. The AAHPP is administered as a partnership between the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC). The program typically receives an annual appropriation of $1,000,000 for grants per year. Eligible Applicants The AAHPP...

We hope you enjoyed Maryland Day Weekend in the Four Rivers Heritage Area. The events from our partners continue this week! Whether you're interested in a virtual event or appreciating the lovely spring weather with an in-person tour, there are many ways to enjoy the special history of our area. Click on the event title for more information. Virtual Event - Coffee with Ken: How Do We Define Community? Date: Tuesday, March 23 Time: 9:00 am Location: Online Host Organization: Maryland State Arts Council Here’s your chance to get the ear of the...

What's happening this week? Maryland Day Weekend! Maryland Day Weekend takes place in the Four Rivers Heritage Area March 19-21. But as spring makes its appearance, there are other events happening around town as well! Click on the event title for more information. Smithsonian Virtual Scholar Talk – Women in Aerospace: Stories from the Smithsonian Collection Date: Wednesday, March 17 Time: 5:00 pm Location: Online Host Organization: Historic Annapolis Dr. Margaret Weitekamp has researched and written on how a groundswell of support helped create a LEGO® set representing women’s contributions to aerospace. Join...

Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is Looking for Your Feedback! MSAC is re-evaluating and considering changes to its general operating support program, Grants for Organizations (GFO), and its traditional arts program, Maryland Traditions. The proposed changes are scheduled to take effect with the FY2023 GFO application process, the FY2023 Folklife Network application process, and the FY2024 Folklife Apprenticeship and Heritage Award application processes. As MSAC considers possible changes, they would like to hear your thoughts and input. They will host the following three Listening Sessions, which are open to the public: Grants For...

The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) want to hear from organizations doing cultural, historical, and natural heritage work around the state. How has your organization been impacted by COVID-19 and the resulting changes to the economy and daily life? Let them know by taking the COVID-19 Impacts on Maryland's Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage Organizations Survey. Based on results from a similar survey in 2020, MHT and MHAA grant programs extended reporting deadlines and began accepting secure electronic signatures on grant documents. MHAA also held an emergency grant round to distribute over $600,000 in operating funds and allowed grantees to use their existing MHAA grants for...