NEWS FROM FOUR RIVERS
September 29, 2020
Mini-Grant Proposals Due This Friday!
If you are submitting an application, please watch our Mini-Grant workshop online.

Find more information about our Mini-Grants application and guidelines.

NOTE: This year only (FY2021), due to COVID-19, the heritage areas have been authorized by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to allow applicants to use mini-grant funds for operating expenses.
 
Emergency Operating Mini-Grants are available to nonprofit heritage tourism organizations located within the boundaries of the Four Rivers Heritage Area. Organizations may apply for a conventional Non-Capital Project Mini-Grant OR an Emergency Operating Mini-Grant; they may not apply for both.

Operating costs that are eligible are costs associated with the COVID-19 State of Emergency, beginning July 9, 2020 and extending until 90 days after the end of the State of Emergency; these are defined as any expenses that allow an organization to continue operations and to safeguard heritage resources during and after the pandemic, including, but not limited to, staff salaries, utilities, insurance, contractor services, rent and mortgage payments.
A Special Appeal to Our Stakeholders
Please help us get the word out -- share with colleagues and friends!

For the first time, under the direction of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA), our state funding partner, we are offering Emergency Operating Assistance to our partner organizations as part of our annual Mini-Grants program. The amount of funding available ($25,000) is based on a budget planned before the pandemic, and our funds won’t go far. That’s why we are asking you to consider a timely donation to our FY2021 Mini-Grant Fund.

Read more about our Special Fall 2020 Appeal to our stakeholders:
Thanks!
Call for Nominations for the 17th Annual Four Rivers Heritage Awards
Four Rivers Heritage Area seeks nominations for its Seventeenth Annual Heritage Awards. 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.

In 2020, nominations are invited in ten different categories, including Heritage Tourism Product Award, Heritage Volunteer Award, Heritage Partnership Award, Heritage Professional of the Year, Heritage Interpreter of the Year, Legacy Award, and Public/Private Initiative Award. Other categories include the Sponsor of the Year Award, the Stewardship Award, and the Heritage Leadership Award, which goes to an individual for significant and long-lasting contributions to local history and heritage. Self-nominations are accepted.


The nominations deadline is October 9, 2020. A heritage area awards committee will review and evaluate nominations; our awards ceremony will be going virtual this year! Questions? Please e-mail us at heritage_area@aacounty.org, and our Eexcutive Director will schedule a call with you!

Thank you, we are looking forward to recognizing excellence at our 17th Annual Heritage Awards!
Check Out Our Recent Blog Posts!
During this time of curtailed activities due to COVID-19, we have been collecting online resources that readers can use while they practice social distancing in the home. If you haven’t been to our website recently, here are some posts you may have missed.

We will continue to gather resources to keep you informed and to keep all of us connected!





National Drive Electric Week with Annapolis Green
It's National Drive Electric Week! Join Annapolis Green for the following events:

Wednesday, September 30
6:00-8:00 pm

In the Maryland Avenue Recovery Zone, 4 to 6 EVs will be parked on the Avenue while it is closed to car traffic but open for outdoor dining. The EV owners (and dealers) will answer questions about their cars. (Don’t forget to mask up.) Learn about the benefits of driving electric — for your wallet and the planet.

Thursday, October 1
8:00-9:30 pm

Annapolis Green will Zoom in and virtually showcase various models of the more than 40 plug-in vehicles available today in a fun, interactive way. Hear from owners and learn what driving electric is all about. Take a virtual test drive! Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, and Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles will open the event.

Friday, October 2
4:00-9:00 pm

In the West Street Recovery Zone, 4 to 6 EVs will be parked on the Street while it’s closed to car traffic but open for outdoor dining. Hey, it’s electric!
Four Rivers is a proud sponsor of Annapolis Green's "Kick Gas!" events.
Virtual Lecture – John Shaw, Annapolis Cabinetmaker
Thursday, October 1
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Organization: Historic Annapolis

If you’ve visited a historic house museum in Annapolis, you’ve likely been introduced to the work of our city’s most famous cabinetmaker, John Shaw. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Shaw quickly established himself as the go-to furniture-maker for wealthy patrons in and around Annapolis, building and repairing pieces for noteworthy residents including William Paca, James Brice, and Charles Carroll.

In this lecture, presenter Bethany McGlyn will share the fascinating story of Shaw’s ascent from immigrant laborer to prolific artisan, revolutionary, and community leader. She will discuss how Shaw relied on enslaved and servant labor and how state patronage supplemented his cabinetmaking income, setting the stage for his professional success and continued legacy.

Living History in the Garden: A Conversation on Health and Medicine
Saturday, October 3
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
William Paca Garden
186 Prince George Street, Annapolis

Historic Annapolis is pleased to announce a special living history event in the William Paca Garden on Saturday, October 3! A Conversation on Health and Medicine.

While you stroll through the William Paca Garden, listen in as Mrs. Anne Catharine Green, printer of the Maryland Gazette, discusses her concerns about her children’s health with Mercy, who has experience in all manner of herbal treatments. Learn about the common remedies that were advertised in Maryland Gazette in the 1770s, and the plants that were used to heal colonists. Illnesses such as smallpox, whooping cough, and other ailments will be addressed.

Cost: Included with admission to the William Paca Garden (starts at $5). Pre-registration not required.
"Just Peale and Juice" -- Saturday at Hammond-Harwood House
Saturday, October 3
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Hammond-Harwood House
19 Maryland Ave, Annapolis

As part of the The Winifred Gordon Memorial Art and Wellness Series, Hammond-Harwood House presents Just Peale and Juice . During this event, you will learn about the Charles Willson Peale family of painters, talk about colors and themes in 18th century art, discuss still life paintings of fruit by the Peale family, and attend a green juice and healthy habits workshop presented by Lisa Consiglio Ryan, owner of Rasa Juice Shop on Maryland Avenue. This event is free to attend.

These programs connect to the art collection to improve participant’s physical health and mental well-being. 
See Our New "Story Project" Video! Four Rivers Heritage Partners Volunteering at SERC
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) provides science-based knowledge to meet the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Hear the story of Steve Myers and Dave Norman, who volunteer at SERC as both educators and citizen scientists, who are helping to preserve and restore the Chesapeake Bay. SERC leads research on coastal ecosystems—where the land meets the sea—to inform real-world decisions for wise policies, best business practices, and a sustainable planet. Its 2,650-acre campus spans forests, wetlands, marshes and 12 miles of protected shoreline. The site serves as a natural laboratory for long-term and cutting-edge ecological research. 


And find out more at:
Network for Good Webinar: How to Engage Your Audience With Social Media and Email
Wednesday, September 30
1:00 pm
Organization: Network for Good

Join Network for Good for a webinar with Matthew Gayer, Co-Executive Director at the Catalogue for Philanthropy as we discuss how to move toward a real back-and-forth and engagement with your digital audience.

There is more noise than ever out there, and breaking through to not just garner attention but inspire action can be a challenge. How do we reach our audience on social media and get them to engage? How do we craft emails and virtual messages that inspire in-real-life action?

During this webinar, you'll learn:
  • How to plan and craft social media content designed for engagement
  • How to more directly drive your audience to take desired actions
  • How to send an email campaign that will get opened and read

School's Out Programs at Annapolis Maritime Museum
For Fall 2020, AMM is excited to offer School’s Out Camps AND a Wednesday afternoon enrichment program – Club Chesapeake! They pack each program with nature exploration, hands-on environmental & maritime education, and FUN!

At the AMM, campers can explore our beautiful 12 acre Park Campus with friends, investigate local animals, play games, make arts and crafts, and so much more! Open to K-6th grade students. Enhanced COVID-19 safety and health protocols will be observed and all activities will be designed to limit time spent indoors.

Upcoming School's Out Camp - AACPS Dates
  • October 12 (Monday) – Fall Festival
  • October 13 (Tuesday) – Cool and Unusual Critters
  • November 3 (Tuesday) – Naturally Creative

Upcoming Club Chesapeake Dates
  • October 7, 14, 21, 28
  • November 4, 11, 18
  • December 2, 9, 16
This Week: Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Annual Meeting, "Do Museums Still Need Objects?"
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Annual Meeting is an annual conference dedicated to fostering excellence in museums by providing our region’s museum professionals with high-quality professional development, networking opportunities, and special events.

MAAM 2020 will occur online from October 5th through the 16th of 2020

Once perceived as static “cabinets of curiosities,” museums are now evolving their missions to meet the needs of their ever-changing communities. As we think about how museums will look in the future, we also need to think about how collections serve diverse audiences. The question remains: Do museums still need objects?

The MAAM Annual Conference will examine this question in its entirety. They will discuss the ways in which art, history, and science collections can play a new, or different, role in the museum. They will discuss how digital technologies make collections more accessible to communities. They will discuss how museums thrive with and without collections. They will discuss tough topics regarding collections. They want to know what you think about this question!
Small Museum Association Webinar - Budgeting in Times of Crisis and Uncertainty
The Small Museum Association is pleased to present the first in a series of monthly webinars, taking the place of the 2021 SMA conference.

This year's theme is: "Museums Respond to Crisis."

Thursday, October 1, 2020
1:00-2:00 pm

Presenter: Cindy Bergvall of Bee, Bergvall & Co

How do you predict your budget when everything is unpredictable? We will walk through the process of designing the best case, worst case, and most likely budget to help you make financial decisions in challenging times. 

How to Participate: This webinar will be hosted via Zoom. When you register on Eventbrite, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link and passcode for this session.
Friday: Food Bank at Ralph J. Bunche Community Center
Four Rivers Heritage Area | 410-222-1805 | heritage_area@aacounty.org | fourriversheritage.org