SPRING 2022021 I ISSUE NO. 4545

ANNAPOLIS LONDON TOWN Currents SOUTH COUNTY

Boundary Amendment Approved by MHAA

On April 8, members of the Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) approved ALTSCHA’s proposal to expand the official boundaries of the Four Rivers Heritage Area to include new geographic areas and heritage attractions in Anne Arundel County, roughly doubling the size of the organization’s reach. Additions include a North County African American Trail, portions of three recreational “rail trails,” three additional County regional parks, the Bacon Ridge Natural Area and Annapolis Waterworks Park, nature sanctuaries and preserved lands in the Jug Bay area, and a dozen non-contiguous heritage attractions. These sites include: • Chesapeake Arts Center • • Fort Smallwood Park • • Hancock’s Resolution • Goshen Farm • National Electronics Museum • Linthicum Walks • National Cryptological Museum • Whites Hall • Anne Arundel Community College • Annearrundell County Free School Museum, or the Free School New areas were also captured via the addition of half-mile buffers along key trails and routes, including North County African American communities; a portion of Generals High- way that includes the Rising Sun Inn; the Odenton Historic District; and a half-mile buffer area along the full length of the original boundary. A detailed description of the proposal and the years-long are eligible for MHAA grants, or a Mini-Grant from the local process that led up to this decision is available on our website. heritage area. The expansion of the official boundary has Heritage Areas are defined by geographic boundaries. If an therefore greatly increased the number of partners and organization or project is located within these boundaries, projects our heritage area can serve. and is a nonprofit or a municipality, and it has a heritage tourism project or activity, then that organization and project See Boundary Amendment Approved by MHAA, continued on page 2

page 2 page 3 page 4 What’s inside: ...... Winter/Spring Highlights Economic Impact Report Maryland Day 2021 @ROOBKQP

Winter/Spring Highlights

The year started out with many COVID $576,000 in requested funds for restrictions still in place. Some sites projects totaling $1.26 million. The opened to the public as weather condi- grant decision date is July 8, 2021. tions allowed, primarily those that have On March 30, Executive Director Carol outside grounds and gardens to explore, Benson was honored as a recipient of while many more remained closed. the Third Annual Women’s History Parks, trails, and outdoor experiences Month Michelle Obama Awards, BOARD OF DIRECTORS remained in high demand. Heritage-re- organized by a partnership between the Chair: Timothy Leahy lated events were held virtually, until Caucus of African American Leaders and Vice Chair: Linnell Bowen Maryland Day Weekend (March 19-21), the Office of Anne Arundel County Treasurer: Barbara Polito when in-person events at sites slowly Executive Steuart Pittman. Alice Estrada began to resume. In March/April, Four Rivers was a Gertrude Makell On March 1, fourteen applications to co-sponsor of the Carr’s Beach Mural Diane Nowak-Waring, APR the MHAA Grant Program for FY2022 and related programming at the Mary- Lily Openshaw were received from partner organiza- land Cultural and Conference Center in Jean Russo, Ph.D. tions in the heritage area, totaling Annapolis (MC3). COORDINATING COUNCIL Honorable Gavin Buckley Mayor, City of Annapolis Boundary Amendment Approved by MHAA, continued from page 1 Robert C. Clark The heritage area plans a year-long reviewed as part of the process. The Historic Annapolis Rebranding process to develop a new inclusion of the additional areas helps Rod Cofield Historic London Town & Gardens name, logo, and brand that will repre- round out existing visitor experiences Chanel Compton sent the organization going forward. and offer new ones that greatly Banneker-Douglass Museum Stay tuned for details on how you can enhance the heritage tourism appeal of Jane Cox become involved! our area. We also expect it will encour- AACO Planning and Zoning “With the approval of this Heritage age longer stays and more spending by Erik Evans Area boundary amendment, we have visitors. We are excited that this trans- Downtown Annapolis Partnership truly become a county-wide organiza- formation of our heritage area opens Lynne Forsman Annapolis Green tion,” explained Carol Benson, Execu- up new funding and networking Janice Hayes-Williams tive Director. “We worked closely with opportunities for more nonprofit Anne Arundel County the Cultural Resources team at Anne organizations that preserve and Anson Hines, Ph.D. Arundel County’s Department of promote Anne Arundel County's Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Planning and Zoning, with the result historic, cultural and natural experi- Roberta Laynor City of Annapolis that sites throughout the County were ences.” Claudette McDonald Watermark Tours Hilary Raftovich Four Rivers Heritage Area Celebrates its Twentieth Year Annapolis Mayor’s Representative This is the twentieth year of our Without the steady support of these Honorable William H. Sanders, III Mayor, Highland Beach heritage area’s operations, and in valued partners, we would not have Marcie Taylor-Thoma November, the Board of Directors been operational or sustainable. There Education Committee plans a celebration of our 20-Year are also many important partners, Emily Oland Squires Anniversary, to take place in conjunc- volunteers, and donors whose contri- Maryland State Archives tion with our Annual Heritage Awards butions have made a significant differ- Laura Wood Ceremony. Upon reaching this import- ence to the organization, and we hope MLCV ant milestone, the organization would to see you all, in person, at this land- STAFF like to express appreciation to these mark event. The date has tentatively Carol Benson, Ph.D. major funders: the State of Maryland been set for Thursday, November 4, Executive Director via the Maryland Heritage Areas and the location has not yet been Jody Christian Communications Coordinator Authority; Anne Arundel County; and determined; please check back on our the City of Annapolis. website for more information to come.

PAGE 2 SPRING 2021 @ROOBKQP Four Rivers Economic Impact Studied

In January, the Maryland Heritage Areas The study was commis- Authority (MHAA), the governing body sioned by the Maryland of the Maryland Heritage Areas Heritage Areas Authority Program, released the results of a study and was conducted by that estimates the contribution of the Parker Philips, Inc. a Four Rivers Heritage Area to the consulting firm specializing statewide economy to be more than in economic impact analy- $244.8 million, and 3,469 jobs. “At sis. The co-founder of the Four Rivers Heritage Area, our top prior- ity is the development of heritage firm, Nichole Parker, said, tourism, but it is important to note that “An economic contribution the Heritage Area also plays a vital role analysis is an objective way in both the state and the regional econ- to measure the significance omies. The economic activity generated of an organization in the by our operations, grantmaking, collab- regional economy; it is a orative programs and heritage-tourism tool that policy makers can activities touch virtually every corner of use to inform their our regional economy including decisions about how to outdoor recreation,” said Tim Leahy, allocate funding and make smart invest- The study also states that a key result Chair of the Four Rivers Board of Direc- ment decisions. Clearly, Four Rivers is that Four Rivers Heritage Area tors. Heritage Area is a major contributor to supports and sustains 3,469 jobs, "Every day the residents of Annapolis, the regional economy and raises the including indirect and induced jobs South County, and Maryland as a whole benefit from efforts made by the Four profile and value of heritage tourism.” created by supply and equipment Rivers Heritage Area. As we can see from In the analysis, the study considered the vendors, jobs created in the commu- this report this is not just for environ- direct spending on operations, pay, nity at hotels, restaurants, and retail mental, cultural, and historic reasons - benefits, grants and heritage tourists by stores in support of the Four Rivers but also for the millions of dollars in Four Rivers Heritage Area, and the Heritage Area’s operations, grantmak- economic activity generated by the estimated increase in demand for goods ing and heritage tourists. The study Heritage Area. This program is essential and services in industry sectors that also calculated tax revenues generated to preserving what makes our commu- supply or support the heritage tourism by this level of economic activity, nities so special," said Senator Sarah in the heritage area. including sales, property, personal Elfreth of Maryland’s District 30. income and corporate income taxes. "We all know that Anne Arundel It concluded that Four Rivers Heritage County is a special place - largely due to Area generates about $32,802,447 in our rich history, our connection to the tax revenues for state and local , and our strong The study also calculated tax revenues government. Statewide, the Maryland communities," said County Executive generated by this level of economic Steuart Pittman. "Now, this economic Heritage Areas Program, including all impact study reminds us how important activity, including sales, property, 13 certified Heritage Areas, heritage tourists, grantmaking and program those things are to our economy. The personal income and corporate income Four Rivers Heritage Area has a measur- spending had a total statewide able annual impact on our county - to taxes. It concluded that Four Rivers economic contribution of $2.4 the tune of nearly $250 million and Heritage Area generates about billion. This activity generated an nearly 3,500 jobs. I want to thank the estimated 33,815 jobs in the state. It is $32,802,447 in tax revenues for state Four Rivers Heritage Area and the Mary- estimated that nearly 20.7 million land Heritage Areas Authority for the and local government. tourists in the state are heritage tremendous support and resources they tourists. bring to Anne Arundel County."

SPRING 2021 PAGE 3 @ROOBKQP Maryland Day 2021 Succeeds in Hybrid Form

The 2021 Maryland Day Event logo

Living History interpreter, Nannetta Hall, part of a Facebook Live presentation by Historic Annapolis entitled, Four Rivers Heritage Area’s signature “The Fabric of Our Diverse History” collaborative event, the annual Mary- land Day Celebration, continued in 2021 in hybrid form. Partner sites participated by offering in-person events, virtual events or programs, or a combination of the two. The theme of this year’s event was “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” and the result was new programming addressing a broad variety of topics and experiences. Thirty-four events and experiences were part of the three-day event, including a popular repeat visit of the A screenshot of Banneker-Douglass Museum’s virtual event called “Honoring Black Women of Courage” tall ship, Pride of II, to Annapolis City Dock. Many of the virtual offerings are still able to be Please remember the Four Rivers Heritage Area (legal name ALTSCHA, Inc.) in experienced via links to YouTube or your charitable donations. Visit our website, www.fourriversheritage.org/ Facebook Live virtual events. support for details on how you can support the organization. Please see the event website, www.marylandday.org, and click on Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of the Events tab to see available links. Annapolis, London Town & South County Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401 410-222-1805 • [email protected] www.fourriversheritage.org

Four Rivers is a 501 (c) 3, charitable non-profit organization. Your contribution supports the heritage sites and organizations that make a difference to our region’s quality of life.

Maryland Hall, with its indoor-outdoor ArtFest MARKETING & DESIGN CONCEPT DESIGN WEB PROMOTE

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