WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has approved the Baltimore National Heritage Area Act (S. 2604).
  This bill designates the Baltimore Heritage Area (BHA) as a National Park Service (NPS) National Heritage Area (NHA), with $10 million in federal funding over 15 years.
  Introduced in February, the bill now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.

“The Baltimore National Heritage Area presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase our rich historic and cultural heritage,” said Senator Cardin.
  “From Fort McHenry to the U.S.S. Constellation to the home of Frederick Douglass, Baltimore is one of our nation’s premier historic cities, and this federal designation will enable Marylanders and all Americans to honor and treasure our past.”

“I am proud to be from a city with such a rich heritage and culture as Baltimore.
  This bill honors our key role in American history for generations to come,” said Senator Mikulski.
  “We need a federal investment to preserve Baltimore’s national treasures and Maryland’s historical integrity.”

NHAs are Congressionally designated cultural and historical places of national significance.
  These areas receive technical and financial assistance from the NPS in order to preserve their history and increase tourism.
  The BHA will be able to use these funds to develop educational exhibits and programs, and protect and restore historic sites and buildings.

The BHA is home to 24 national historic landmarks, 53,000 buildings in National Register historic districts, 8,000 buildings in local historic districts, 12 Chesapeake Bay Gateways, five Maryland Scenic Byways and an All-American Road.
  The heritage area includes such neighborhoods as Druid Hill Park, Fells Point, Oliver, Jonestown, Little Italy, Mount Vernon, Canton, Patterson Park, Jones Falls Valley and Locust Point.