The Baltimore City Heritage Area is a region of Baltimore with a uniquely rich concentration of historical, cultural, and natural resources of national significance. The communities of the Heritage Area provide exceptional environments where for generations Baltimoreans have lived, worked, and played. These neighborhoods are also particularly appealing and rewarding to visitors who want to experience and explore Baltimore beyond the attractions of the Inner Harbor.
Tourism is Baltimore's third largest industry. The economic livelihood of tens of thousands of Baltimoreans depends upon visitor decisions to come to our wonderful city, stay longer, make return visits, and give positive reviews to friends and family. Cultural heritage tourism, travel by those seeking to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past, is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. While the average U.S. traveler spends $457 and 4.1 nights away from home per trip, visitors who included cultural heritage sites and activities spend $623 and 5.2 nights per trip (The Historic/Cultural Traveler 2003. Travel Industry Association of America, 2003).
Baltimore and cultural heritage tourism are a perfect fit. Tourism is generally a clean industry that provides an exceptionally strong boost to economic and community revitalization efforts. Visitor spending helps to diversify a neighborhood's economy while preserving the unique character of a community.
Heritage Area PlanThe Baltimore City Heritage Area Management Action Plan, a blueprint for future activities and investments in the Heritage Area, was adopted by the City of Baltimore and made part of Baltimore's Comprehensive Plan. Recommendations in the Management Action Plan capitalize on and reinforce existing collaborations and projects, and encourage strategic investments to fill unmet needs. At its core, the Plan encourages the protection of important historic, cultural and natural resources, a focus on authenticity and the quality of experience for residents and visitors, and the right balance between tourism and community. The Maryland Heritage Area Program added Baltimore to the Maryland System of Heritage Areas in 2001, making the activities and investments outlined in the Plan eligible for generous assistance from the State of Maryland. A number of other ongoing State and Federal initiatives including The Civil War Trails Initiative, Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails, the Historic National Road, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, complement the Baltimore City Heritage Area.
Inclusion within the boundary of the Baltimore City Heritage Area provides eligibility for a variety of City and State financial and technical assistance:
Refer to our matrix of funding sources for cultural heritage and tourism development for more information on these and other sources.
The boundary of the Baltimore City Heritage Area was delineated during an 18-month long planning process. It was drawn to include those portions of Baltimore with an especially dense concentration of significant historical, cultural, and natural resources. In addition, those communities included were already providing a rich visitor experience, or realistically have the capacity to provide such an experience within five years of the certification of the Baltimore City Heritage Area. To assure that we invest in and present the best that Baltimore has to offer, the Management Action Plan will be updated approximately every five years, which may result in revision of the boundary as well as priorities.
Mount VernonWithin the boundary of the Heritage Area are eleven Target Investment Zones. The Target Investment Zones are priority areas into which the Baltimore Heritage Area Association and community partners seek to attract significant private investment. The capital grants available from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund are only available for projects located within an activated Target Investment Zone. The activated Target Investment Zones are:
Target Investment Zones awaiting activation are:
For information on how to activate a Target Investment Zone contact jeffrey.buchheit@baltimorecity.gov
The Baltimore City Heritage Area is directed by a 40-member Board appointed by Mayor Dixon, the Baltimore City Heritage Area Association. The Association is co-chaired by Camay Murphy, former Executive Director of the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, and James Piper Bond, President, Living Classrooms Foundation. Its Director is Jeff Buchheit.