[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”25516,25533,25532,25531,25530,25528,25527,25526″ img_size=”” border_pattern=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town and South County, will hold its Fifteenth Annual Heritage Awards on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. These awards recognize individuals, organizations, partnerships, programs and products that contribute significantly to the community by interpreting, promoting, preserving, researching and/or supporting our historical legacy. The honorees have had a lasting impact on authentic stories and experiences at our museums and historic attractions, the sustainability of local organizations, and the preservation of the history and heritage of the local community. We are pleased to announce the honorees to be recognized this year:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]2018 Heritage Tourism Collaboration of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an outstanding heritage tourism product created in the past year. Eligible products include exhibits, events, programs, self-guided or guided tours, audiotours, videos/CDs/podcasts, interpretive brochures, publications and websites. The 2018 award goes to an impressive collaboration between many organizations working together for an important year-long series of events; we recognize the Anne Arundel County Commemoration of the Year of Frederick Douglass.
2018 Heritage Professional of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an author, archaeologist, architect, artist, exhibits/publications designer, historian, natural resource professional, preservationist, professional staff person, or researcher, for significant professional contributions to heritage interpretation, stewardship, and/or education in the past year. This year’s award recognizes Caitlin Swaim, Curator of the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
2018 Heritage Volunteer of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an outstanding volunteer who has made a significant difference to the growth, sustainability, programming, or other essential element of a non-profit or for-profit heritage organization. This year’s honoree is Anthony Smoot.
2018 Heritage Interpreter of the Year Award:
This award recognizes a heritage interpreter-docent, educator, tour guide, volunteer-in a non-profit or for-profit heritage organization, who provides outstanding factual, and educational information to the public. This year’s award recognizes Bruce Weidele, of the Galesville Heritage Society.
2018 Heritage Partnership of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an outstanding regional partnership in heritage interpretation, preservation, stewardship, and/or education. This year’s award goes to the Southern High School Veterans Oral History Project. The project was achieved through a partnership of Southern High School, under the direction of teacher Jennifer Davidson, and Maryland Humanities.
2018 Heritage Sponsorship of the Year Award:
This award recognizes a regional business or organization for outstanding sponsorship, patronage or other role in funding one or more heritage-related organizations, events, or products in the past year. This year’s award goes to the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation for “Bates, Center of Excellence: Memories of Bates Teachers, A Legacy” Documentary Project. Individuals who served on the Documentary Project team are Patsy Baker Blackshear, Anthony A. Smoot, Vivian Gist Spencer, Sharyn Martin, Carroll Hynson, Lyndra Marshall (Nee Pratt), Christopher Haley, and Valerie Yancey.
2018 Public/Private Partnership of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an outstanding initiative undertaken through a partnership of public and private businesses or organizations to promote local heritage—i.e., historical signage or markers, photographic displays, brochures, programs, tours, etc. This year’s award goes to Box of Rain and the Annapolis Maritime Museum with Chesapeake Light Craft, for their “Build-a-Boat” and Summer Maritime programs for youth.
2018 Patricia Barland Leadership Award:
The Leadership Award is named for the long-time former Chair of the Four Rivers Heritage Area Board, Patricia Barland. For this award, we look for an individual whose career reflects a broad vision and reach, a lasting dedication to our community, and a long career that has strengthened the depth and vitality of our local heritage. This year, the Patricia Barland Leadership Award goes to Mianna Jopp.
Come join us in our annual celebration of excellence! Register through Eventbrite or purchase your tickets at the door! Questions? Call our office at 410-222-1805, thanks!
Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County, one of Maryland’s 13 certified heritage areas, is a partnership among the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, the town of Highland Beach, and local historic sites, heritage organizations, and heritage-related businesses, to encourage economic vitality through historic preservation and heritage tourism. For more information, please contact Executive Director Carol Benson at the Four Rivers office at 410-222-1805, or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]