NEWS FROM FOUR RIVERS
November 28, 2017

THREE GREAT REASONS TO GIVE TO FOUR RIVERS ON GIVING TUESDAY:

WE KEEP YOU INFORMED -- visit our website at www.fourriversheritage.org

WE FUND IMPORTANT PROJECTS AT YOUR FAVORITE HERITAGE SITE! (FOR EXAMPLE, OUR ANNUAL MINI-GRANT PROGRAM! SEE OUR LATEST LIST OF FUNDED PROJECTS BELOW)

WE ARE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WITH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO ATTRACT NEW AUDIENCES -- READ THIS E-NEWSLETTER WEEKLY FOR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, EVENTS, AND MORE!
Nine New Mini-Grants Awarded to Organizations in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County announces nine new mini-grant awards to local heritage-related nonprofit organizations as part of our FY18 mini-grant opportunity.

The grants awarded this fall totaled $22,616 for projects totaling more than $182,000. This matching mini-grants program, made possible through financial support from the City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, leverages other funding to assist local heritage related non-profit organizations to create new programs, activities, and events that build upon heritage-based interpretive themes, foster collaborative partnerships, and enhance local cultural historic resources and heritage tourism. Organizations and projects approved for Fall FY2018 Mini-grant awards are:

Annapolis Maritime Museum, for their campus rebranding and community awareness initiative

Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation, for "The Year of Frederick Douglass BDM Program Series," a series of public programs about the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass

Chesapeake Children's Museum, for Hispanic Heritage Month programming to appreciate and preserve the cultural and historic heritage of Hispanic members of the community

Chesapeake Children's Museum and Partners on the MD Day Team, for coordination and marketing of the 2018 Maryland Day Celebration event

Friends of the Maryland State Archives, for the "Researching Black Families" Booklet Revision Project

Hammond-Harwood House, for a new interpretive tour for Spanish-speaking visitors

Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation, for the Bates Teachers Legacy Project, a documentary about the legacy of Bates School based on oral histories

Mitchell Gallery at St. John's College, for "Poetry and Picas: Celebrating Robert Indiana, Love and Hope," a multi-site one-day poetry event related to Robert Indiana exhibit and programming

Ralph J. Bunche Community Center, Inc. for the RJB Community Center Restoration Project exhibit and display

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.
Sign Up Now for MHT Informational Workshop!
Have you ever wondered what exactly the Maryland Historical Trust does? Do you get them confused with the Maryland Historical Society? Do you know what a State Historic Preservation Office does? Do you represent a government agency or nonprofit organization with an historic property that needs help? Do you want to learn more about historic and cultural properties in your area? Have you ever wanted to make sure your voice was heard when historic places were under threat?

If so, please plan to attend on Friday, December 15 in Hyattsville, Maryland, 10:00 a.m., for the first ever Maryland Historical Trust Roadshow! Come learn about the agency's role and some of its many programs, including grant funding opportunities and how to be a consulting party in federal and state project review. We will have presentations from various Maryland Historical Trust staff and there will be plenty of time for Q & A. You can register by clicking this link:   https://mhtroadshow.brownpapertickets.com

​Registration is free, but space is limited, so please be sure to sign up early!
MHT is grateful to the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area and Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center for their support of this event.
Sunday, Noon to 5 on West Street! Chocolate Binge Festival and Much More
The Inner West Street Association and the Annapolis Arts District have joined forces to bring another unique street festival to downtown Annapolis for the holidays. On Sunday December 3rd, from 12pm to 5pm on the first block of West Street, experience the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival, featuring family friendly entertainment, chocolate, holiday shopping and the lighting of the newly expanded West Street Light Canopy.

"Start off the December holiday season with some fun and indulge your sweet tooth at the annual Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival, to benefit the Annapolis Arts District and We Care and Friends. The day is loaded with family friendly fun. There is a giant gingerbread house moon bounce for the kids, you can roast marshmallows and make s'mores at the fire pit in the middle of West Street with the Annapolis Fire Department, race down West Street with the snowball run, and visit with Santa Claus. Santa will be collecting toys, coats and hats for the We Care and Friends Holiday Party for the area's homeless and kids in need. Take a chocolate tour along West Street with two dozen chocolate vendors selling various chocolate specialties, including chocolate truffles, caramels, bars, fudge, cookies, cakes, martinis, french macaroons, gingerbread houses, cupcakes, pies, brownies and more. Complete your holiday shopping at our holiday market at the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival featuring local artisans with a wide range of handmade items including jewelry, pottery, candles, wood turnings, ornaments, clothing and more. Admission is just a $5 suggested donation. Money raised from the festival will support the Annapolis Arts District . People making a donation will get a complimentary hot chocolate from the air stream camper (while supplies last)."
 
For more information, visit the website .
Details Announced for Annapolis Mayoral Inauguration
On Monday, December 4th, the Inauguration ceremony of our new Mayor and City Council will take place. This year it will take place in downtown Annapolis on the first block of West Street. The event is from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. and is free and open to the public - plan to arrive early!

The ceremony will be followed by an Inaugural Ball that evening at the Loews Hotel. More information on these events can be found at:  gavin2017.com.

Note: The first block of West Street will be closed from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. on Monday December 4.
17th Annual Christ Church Celtic-Christmas Concert
Join Christ Church West River this Sunday afternoon for a joyous celebration of Celtic & Holiday songs and music.

Sunday, December 3, one show at 3 pm., with reception following the concert.

Featuring: Maggie Sansone, Andrea Hoag, Sharon Knowles, Patrick Egan, and Laura Byrne

Location: Christ Church West River, 220 Owensville Road, West River, MD
Tickets: Adults $22, kids 12 and under $10
Office: 410-867-0346
Maryland Historical Trust Bookshelf - SALE!
Celebrate local history this holiday season with publications from the Maryland Historical Trust Press, related to the Four Rivers Heritage Area!

The MHT Press Holiday Sale offers discounts on publications in architectural history, archeology, history, historical and cultural conservation and more. Prices have been reduced up to 50%. Order today and beat the holiday rush: visit https://mht.maryland.gov/home_mhtpress-sale-ha1.shtml or call 410-697-9583.
Four Rivers Heritage Area | 410-222-1805 | heritage_area@aacounty.org | fourriversheritage.org