The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) FY 2024 grant materials for heritage tourism capital and non-capital projects are now available, including a newly revised and streamlined application! (PLEASE NOTE that the questions in the application have changed.) Over $5 million in grant funding will be available for heritage tourism and education projects across Maryland’s 13 heritage areas.

Begin the first step in the application process by completing the Intent to Apply form (due January 31, 2023) on the MHAA website.

Begin the first step in the application process by filling out the Intent to Apply form, due by 11:59 pm on January 31, 2023. Please contact Andrew Arvizu or Martha Waldron with any questions that you have about the application.  

This year, make sure you have talked with Chesapeake Crossroads Executive Director, Carol Benson, about your project! Contact her at heritage_area@aacounty.org to set a time for a conversation by zoom. Thanks and best of luck with this year’s grant round!

To learn more about MHAA's FY 2024 heritage tourism capital and non-capital projects, please join MHAA staff for virtual and in-person information sessions and Q&A sessions (listed below) throughout the coming months.

HAA staff will host a series of webinars and Q&A sessions to assist you with any questions you may have about the FY 2024 MHAA grant round:Virtual Webinar (also recorded) – Wed, Dec 21 | 10 AM–12 PM | Streamed live on MHAA’s YouTube channel.

In-Person Information Session:

Mon, Jan 9 | 1–2 PM | MHT Headquarters: 100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032. To register, click here.

Virtual Q&A Sessions:



Thurs, Jan 19 | 5–6 PM | via Google Meet or dial: ‪(US) +1 240-734-0342 PIN: ‪401 749 765#

Mon, Jan 23 | 3–4 PM | via Google Meet or dial: ‪(US) +1 574-621-3704 PIN: ‪103 590 765#

Tue, Jan 31 | 10–11 AM | via Google Meet or dial: ‪(US) +1 929-299-3166 PIN: ‪257 026 949#

Fri, Feb 10 | 12–1 PM | via Google Meet or dial: ‪(US) +1 862-259-5973 PIN: ‪521 719 217#

Sunday, January 8

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Museum of Historic Annapolis

99 Main Street, Annapolis

Visit the Museum of Historic Annapolis on the second Sunday of every month for Hands-On History Days. Drop in any time between 10 am and 2 pm for special family activities - a new theme each month means you and your family will want to visit again and again! Activities are included with Museum admission, which is 1/2 price on second Sundays.

In January, learn about the Civil Rights Movement.

• Explore the Museum and interact with community members who participated in protests during the Civil Rights Movement in Washington D.C. and Annapolis
• Engage with an educator in our Curator’s Corner and view objects from the Civil Rights Movement
• Create your own activist sign
• Work together to craft blankets for our blanket drive service project 
• Read stories about the Civil Rights Movement with your family in our Anne Arundel County Public Library Book Nook 

Advance registration recommended, but not required. Cost: $5 General Admission; $2.50 Children (6-17); Free for Children under 6, HA Members, and SNAP/WIC recipients through the Museums for All program.

Register for Hands-On History Day: The Civil Rights Movement.

Saturday, January 7

2:00-3:00 pm

Hammond-Harwood House

19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis

Join Hammond-Harwood House for an afternoon of music, poetry, and merrymaking as we celebrate this annual tradition! This year’s Twelfth Night concert will feature joyous baroque duets by Monteverdi and Vivaldi along with a selection of everyone’s favorite traditional carols. Critically acclaimed sopranos Elissa Edwards and Laura Choi Stuart join forces with Wade Davis, cellist, and Thomas Sheehan, harpsichordist. The performance will be punctuated with dramatic poetic recitations by Professor Katrina Atsinger of the Naval Academy.

The 6th of January, traditionally known as Old Twelfth Night, marks the close of the Christmas season and the birth of the new year—a moment given over to merrymaking, music, and mischief. Come help us ring in 2023 with revelry and rejoicing!

Seating for a live audience is limited. Book your tickets today!

Sunday, January 15

1:00 pm

Rising Sun Inn

1090 General's Highway, Crownsville

Join the Rising Sun Inn, in Crownsville, on January 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., for the Tavern Talk and Tour Series.This installment will feature Heather Hook. Heather started historic reenacting in 1990. Wanting to be as authentic as possible, she ran across her first original ladies Civil War dress in an antique shop and purchased it to study. She was immediately drawn into the world of collecting originals. The Heather Hook originals collection consists of men, women and children's clothing and accessories from the years 1750-1980.

The Rise and Fall of Fashion: Fashions from 1750-1850. Nothing is more personal than clothing, and the types of clothing chosen can tell a lot about the person who wore it, as well as take a snapshot of the mindset of society during that time period. Heather will share original women’s clothing and accessories from the decades between 1750 and 1850, showing changing styles of ladies fashions.

Tickets are $25 per person. Register for The Rise and Fall of Fashion 1750 to 1850.

The SMA Board of Directors and Conference Committee are both seeking self-nominations. Candidates are welcome to apply for one or both!

Board self-nominations are due by January 6.

Board nominations



Board members should have substantive experience working for and/or with small museums. This can be paid experience (staff or consultant) or service as a board member or volunteer. Other professional skills and knowledge, such as legal or financial expertise, may also be deemed relevant.  

Conference Committee Nominations

The Conference Committee is a working committee. With support from the Board of Directors, they manage the planning and execution of SMA's annual conference. This is an opportunity to work with a great team, network with museums professionals, and give back to the field. Committee members receive free conference registration and hotel stay.

Are you looking forward to Maryland Day Weekend 2023?

It is shaping up to be another great collaborative event, featuring numerous partners across the heritage area offering activities for ONE DOLLAR OR FREE that are all family-friendly! The dates for 2023 are March 31-April 2. (We choose these dates so as not to compete with the popular Annapolis Film Festival.) Thanks to the Chesapeake Children’s Museum for once again taking the event management role! And please be patient while the Maryland Day event website is continually updated as partners old and new share their event plans.

See the Participating Partners and Sites for Maryland Day Weekend 2023

Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area | 410-222-1805 | heritage_area@aacounty.org | chesapeakecrossroads.org