Maryland’s First Heritage Area
In 1993, Maryland created the state’s first Heritage Area- Canal Place, and established the Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority to oversee the preservation, development, and management of the Canal Place Preservation District, a designated heritage area in Cumberland around the western end of the C&O Canal.
In 2018 the Heritage Area was expanded to include historically significant districts within the cities of Cumberland and Frostburg. The enlarged Heritage Area has been appropriately renamed The Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area and includes sites that tell a fascinating story of early America, from the mid-1700’s through to today.
![Festival Grounds Ariel View An aerial view of a city with a bridge and a park.](https://s46fda.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Festival-Grounds-Ariel-View.webp)
Are you on the Heritage Area?
Grants and Funding Resources
FY24 Grants Awarded – Mini Grants Available
The PWPHA Grant Program is a source of funding designed to assist and encourage the preservation of historical, archaeological, natural, and cultural resources and support economic development through heritage tourism within the boundaries of the PWP Heritage Area. The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority (CPPDA) is the management entity for the PWP Heritage Area and therefore approves projects and administers the Grants Program. These Grants are for non-capital or programming activities only and may not be used for administrative expenses or any “bricks or mortar” projects.
PWPHA Grants funding amounts will be from $500 to $5,000 with a “One to One” cash match.
Eligibility Information
- Applicant is a local jurisdiction or non-profit
- Proposed project is consistent with the interpretive theme of transportation as described in the Canal Place Heritage Area Management Plan. Please contact the office for a copy of the management plan.
- Utilizes collaborative partnerships
- Enhances heritage tourism visitation
- Applicant can provide one to one cash match
- Demonstrate ability of applicant to initiate, administer and complete project within proposed timeframe, including the submission of the final report
- Applicant, or project location, is within the boundaries of the PWPHA (please ask if unsure if you are within the boundary)
- Project must not begin before the grant award is announced
- Applicant organization is in good standing with the state of Maryland
- PWPHA and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority must be acknowledged and logos (provided by Canal Place) must appear on any materials produced or in any publicity for the funded project/program/exhibit. Failure to acknowledge as indicated may result in forfeiture of up to 100% of mini-grant award. Drafts of any printed material must be submitted to PWPHA for approval before completion.
- Canal Place/PWPHA reserves rights to use images and other materials connected with funded grant project/program/product, including use of printed materials in downloadable form on CP/PWPHA’s website(s) and/or social media.
Application Procedure:
Applicants should contact the heritage area Executive Director, Deidra Ritchie, to discuss potential mini grant projects before they begin the application. Applications are now being done on a “first come, first served” basis. Until the funding is gone applications can continue to be submitted. At this time, all projects and reporting need to be submitted to the Canal Place/PWPHA offices by May 31, 2024, for the FY24 grant round. An additional change to previous grants is that the money will be disbursed upon completion of the grant.
Evaluation and award selection are based on the completed application and eligible heritage area criteria. Please note: No grant funds may be expended before the date of grant award notification. If the Project is completed for an amount less than that reflected in the original Project Budget, the award amount of the Grant will be reduced. Final grant reporting requirements are to be submitted no later than May 31, 2024. Time extensions for grants must be requested in writing to the Executive Director.
As noted above awarded grant funds will be disbursed at the completion of the grant and after the receipt of a final report, documentation of funds spent (invoices, detailed receipts, etc.) and an invoice from grant awardees. Please note: as part of grantee’s final report, grantee must provide financial documentation to PWPHA of all expenditures of PWPHA grant funds and all cash contributions utilized to meet these requirements. Grantee’s contributions may include funds derived from other non-State public or private sources; provided however, that no State funds are used for any part of the Grantee’s Contribution.
The following types of activities are eligible to receive Mini Grant funding:
Planning | Interpretation |
Feasibility and Planning Studies
Design Documents Research Data Recovery Other planning activities that support the Certified Heritage Area |
Interpretive Exhibits
Interpretive Signage Wayfinding Signage Pedestrian only Interpretive Brochures Educational Programs and Materials Other interpretive activities that support the Certified Heritage Area |
Programming (Preference is given to new, or pilot, programs rather than ongoing activities) | |
Seminars | Reenactments |
Conferences | Commemorations |
Performances | Festivals |
Time is of the essence so don’t delay-contact us today for your application!
PWPHA Mini Grant Guidelines can be found here!
PWPHA Mini Grant Application can be found here!
PWPHA Mini Grant Final Report can be found here!
MD Historical Trust Historic Revitalization Tax Credit
Embrace the Digital Revolution!
Starting August 7, 2023, historic revitalization tax credit applications for this year’s competitive commercial tax credit round, and any federal applications, must be submitted electronically.
How will this work? MHT will accept applications using a secure system via Microsoft Teams. (External users will not need a Microsoft Teams account to access this secure system, though a valid email address is required.) MHT will also accept electronic payments for review fees through a secure payment system. If you are planning on applying for the competitive commercial tax credit, please contact MHT Tax Credit staff at: [email protected] to get started with a Microsoft Teams channel. Updated applications for the competitive commercial program are now available. Instructions for how to submit an electronic application are also posted on MHT’s website. The deadline for this year’s competitive commercial tax credit application round remains August 31, 2023.
If you are looking to apply for a state small commercial or state homeowner historic revitalization tax credit, keep an eye out for more information soon, as MHT will be transitioning these programs’ applications to electronic submissions by the end of September 2023.
The MHAA FY 2025 grant round for capital and non-capital heritage tourism projects that will begin in July 2024 is now open. Begin the required first step in the application process by filling out the Intent to Apply form, due by 11:59 PM on January 26, 2024.
Heritage Area Staff
Deidra Ritchie
Executive Director
Kimberly Folk
Marketing and Media Director
Nicole Gray
Executive Assistant/Financial Manager
Crystal Lloyd
Administrative Aide
Articles
Requests for Proposal – Project Management, River Park at Canal Place
Request for Proposal for a Project Management Team for the River Park at Canal Place The Canal Place Preservation [...]
Has Concluded – Emergency Board of Directors Meeting February 16, 2024 @11AM
2/16/24- The meeting has concluded and can be viewed using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@CanalPlace [...]
Requests for Proposal Economic Impact for River Park
Request for Proposal for an Economic Impact Study to be done on the River Park at Canal Place The Canal Place Preservati [...]
Need Info? Drop us a line or give us a call!
![Miller Moore Lrg Photo](https://s46fda.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Miller-Moore-Lrg-Photo-.png)
ParkMobile at Canal Place
Now in use at Canal Place, ParkMobile gives you the ability to park, pay, and extend your parking session, quickly and easily right from your phone. The app, once installed, can be used in over 4,000 locations across all major cities in North America. Canal Place Train Station lot is ZONE 23889. The lot across the street is ZONE 23888. Download the ParkMobile App in the Apple or Google Play store or text PARK 77223
Set up your account. Enter your zone number. Select the amount of time you wish to park and start your session. You will receive alerts before your time expires and will have the opportunity to extend your time.