The Beach to Bay Heritage Area (BBHA) has been awarded a $40,000 Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) grant from the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) to support Phase II of its National Heritage Area (NHA) designation feasibility study.
The Rural Maryland Council brings together citizens, community-based organizations, government officials, and representatives of the nonprofit and private sectors to address the needs and opportunities of Maryland's rural communities. Through the MAERDAF grant program, RMC provides capacity-building support to rural-serving nonprofit organizations working to advance economic and community development, regional planning, agricultural and forestry education, energy initiatives, and youth engagement and leadership development.
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"National Heritage Area designation could be transformational for the Lower Eastern Shore," said Lisa Challenger, Executive Director of the Beach to Bay Heritage Area. "This investment from the Rural Maryland Council allows us to take the next important step toward understanding how we can use our extraordinary cultural, historic, and natural resources to strengthen rural communities, attract visitors, support local businesses, and leverage additional state and federal resources."

BBHA has begun the process of pursuing National Heritage Area designation in partnership with stakeholders throughout Maryland and Delaware's Eastern Shore. The effort includes a two-year feasibility study conducted in two phases to evaluate the region's eligibility, readiness, resources, partnerships, and capacity for NHA designation.

Consultants already completed Phase I, which included project initiation, development of the planning structure, orientation and listening tours, preliminary historic and cultural assessments and stakeholder engagement.

Phase II, supported in part by the $40,000 MAERDAF award, will build upon the findings of Phase I through additional resource assessment, development of a nationally significant theme, continued public and stakeholder engagement, boundary analysis, organizational capacity evaluation, and preparation of the comprehensive feasibility study report.

National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress and administered through the National Park Service. They bring together communities, nonprofit organizations, governments, businesses, and heritage partners to preserve nationally significant landscapes while supporting education, heritage tourism, economic development, and community revitalization.

For the Lower Eastern Shore, the feasibility study represents an opportunity to examine how communities can work together across county and state boundaries to preserve the region's distinctive heritage while creating new economic opportunities for rural communities.

The $40,000 RMC investment will help BBHA move closer to completing the feasibility process and determining whether National Heritage Area designation is an appropriate long-term strategy for the Eastern Shore.

The Beach to Bay Heritage Area (BBHA), in partnership with Skipjack Heritage Inc. and the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture, invites the public to An Evening of Skipjacks on Monday, August 24, at 6:00 p.m. at the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture, 218 W. Main Street, Salisbury.

This free public program celebrates the history, traditions, and enduring legacy of Maryland's iconic skipjacks, the last commercial sailing fleet in North America.

The evening will begin with an introduction to the history of the skipjack, followed by traditional maritime music and songs that have long been associated with life on the Chesapeake Bay. Guests will then enjoy a screening of the documentary Voices of the Skipjack, which captures the stories, traditions, and experiences of the men who continue to preserve this unique maritime heritage.

Following the film, attendees will hear firsthand from three well-known and respected skipjack captains: Capt. Shawn Ridgley, Capt. Wade Murphy III, and Capt. Stoney Whitelock, who will share personal stories and insights from their years working aboard Maryland's historic sailing vessels. Acclaimed historian Dr. Clara Small will also discuss the often-overlooked contributions of Black watermen to the Chesapeake Bay's maritime traditions. The program concludes with an audience question-and-answer session featuring the captains and guest speakers. 

​Throughout the evening, attendees will also have the opportunity to visit exhibitor tables, explore skipjack displays, and engage with organizations dedicated to preserving Maryland's rich heritage. These exhibits will provide additional opportunities to learn about the history, craftsmanship, and traditions of the Chesapeake Bay's iconic sailing fleet.

The event also serves as the perfect kickoff to Maryland's Skipjack Triple Crown of Racing, one of the state's most celebrated maritime traditions:

• September 7 – Deal Island Skipjack Blessing of the Fleet, featuring the Blessing of the Fleet, parade, and race beginning at 8:00 a.m.
• September 13 – Skipjack Heritage Race at Sandy Point State Park, with festivities beginning at 11:00 a.m.
• September 26 – Choptank Classic Skipjack Race in Cambridge, with parade and race activities beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.

For more information, [email protected] or visit www.beachesbayswaterways.org

 Photo Credit: Maryland Coastal Bays Program

BERLIN, MD- The Beach to Bay Heritage Area (BBHA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the unique history, culture, and natural resources of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore, has been awarded a Reinvestment and Repair Act Grant from the Worcester County Local Management Board.

BBHA will use the grant to expand recreational opportunities for at-risk and low-income residents in the 21811 area, particularly individuals and families who have had limited access to outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and paddling. The initiative is designed to reduce barriers to participation while promoting healthier lifestyles, improved mental well-being, and stronger connections to the region's natural resources.
Research consistently shows that access to outdoor recreation can help improve physical and mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while encouraging physical activity. The project is particularly focused on reaching underserved populations, including Hispanic families, who may face barriers to accessing recreational opportunities. By creating welcoming, accessible opportunities to experience nature, BBHA hopes to encourage healthier habits and strengthen community connections.

Project deliverables include the creation of multilingual brochures, trailhead signage, and short-form educational videos highlighting accessible outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Coastal Bays watershed. The materials will feature public access sites for both land and water trails, making it easier for first-time visitors to discover and enjoy the area's natural resources.

To ensure equitable access, all educational materials will be culturally relevant and available in multiple languages. The initiative is intended to foster a greater sense of belonging by connecting residents with the landscapes that surround them and encouraging lifelong participation in outdoor recreation.

In partnership with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, BBHA will also offer guided boating experiences that provide hands-on learning opportunities. Participants will explore local waterways while learning about the region's unique ecosystems, wildlife, conservation efforts, and responsible outdoor recreation practices.

"We are grateful to the Worcester County Local Management Board for investing in a project that promotes both community wellness and environmental stewardship," said Lisa Challenger, Executive Director of the Beach to Bay Heritage Area. "By making outdoor recreation more accessible, we hope to inspire new audiences to discover the incredible natural resources found right here in their own communities while improving quality of life for residents."
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The project reflects BBHA's ongoing commitment to connecting people with the history, culture, and natural landscapes of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore through education, partnerships, and community engagement.


For more information about the Beach to Bay Heritage Area and its programs, visit www.beachesbayswaterways.org

In a collaborative effort, the Germantown School, Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, and Beach to Bay Heritage Area have teamed up to plan the a joyous event to inaugurate the annual Tindley Day Celebration in Berlin. On June 22nd, the Town of Berlin proclaimed July 7th, Tindley's birthday, to be Tindley Day every year. This inaugural event will be held at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum (208 N. Main St. Berlin, MD) 5:00pm - 7:00pm and will be an evening dedicated to Dr. Rev. Charles Albert Tindley.

Dr. Rev. Charles Albert Tindley, one of Berlin's most famous native sons, rose to greatness through his own efforts. Although born free, Tindley faced many challenges in hist life. His father was an enslaved man and his mother died while Tindley was young. He also received no formal education. However, these obstacles did not deter Tindley from teaching himself how to read "from bits of newspapers and without any teacher until I could read the Bible almost without stopping to spell the words.” Through his own perseverance, Reverend Dr. Charles Albert Tindley became one of the most influential ministers and gospel composers in American history. 
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This celebration will feature guest speakers sharing the story of Tindley, performances of his famous hymns, an exhibit on Rev. Tindley on loan from the Germantown School, and a reading of the Tindley Day proclamation that established July 7th as Tindley Day. Seaside Sweets will also be on site with their ice cream truck. Everyone is invited to take part in embracing Dr. Reverend Tindley as part of Berlin, Maryland, and American history.

Heritage Award: Dr. Clara Small, professor emerita at Salisbury University, for her significant and long-lasting contributions to the community by interpreting, preserving, researching, and writing about local history and heritage.

Legacy Award: Mary Ada Marshall, coming all the way from Smith Island, for her invaluable role in preserving and bringing attention to the traditional craft of Smith Island Cakes.

Tee O'Connor Heritage Professional Award: William "Bill" Wilson for his lifelong dedication to preserving our heritage and history, spending over four decades at Pemberton Hall and various preservation groups on the lower shore.

Highlights from the Night

The Beach to Bay Heritage Area (BBHA) is partnering with our friends in Delaware to work towards a National Heritage Area (NHA) designation within the Delmarva region. The public is encouraged to take part in this exciting new initiative! ​

As part of this exciting initiative, BBHA organized three community conversations across Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore to inform the public about the process. These conversations were held in Crisfield, Salisbury, and Berlin. These gatherings gave the public a chance to share their input on how the region stands out on a national level and our region's contributions to our nation’s history and heritage. They also served as a way to learn more about National Heritage Areas and the potential funding opportunities that such a designation could bring to our local communities. 
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What Are National Heritage Areas?
National Heritage Areas are nationally significant regions where culture, nature, and history create a unified landscape. They not only elevate a region's heritage to the national stage, but also enhance a region's ability to steward the area's historical, cultural, and natural assets. While the National Park Service (NPS) provides technical assistance and funding, a local coordinating entity is appointed to ensure that the needs and wishes of the community are met. This makes National Heritage Areas a community driven partnership that has great potential to not only preserve historical and cultural resources, but develop local communities as well.

It is important to note that while National Heritage Areas collaborate with the National Park Service, they are not considered units of the National Park System and designation does not affect private property rights, water rights, or hunting and fishing rights.

Benefits of National Heritage Areas
National Heritage Areas offer several benefits to the communities they encompass. From providing funding for community projects to preserving the cultural assets that define our identity, National Heritage Area designation has the potential to make the Delmarva region shine brighter. 

​Benefits Include:

• Preservation & promotion of the cultural, historic, & natural assets that help define our cultural identity and stories.
• Fostering pride in place and in the communities we call home.
• Grant funding opportunities that support community projects such as historic preservation, programming, or community development.
• Tourism development that will bring greater attention to the region, increasing both visitation and spending at local businesses. 
• Economic & community development through the enhancement of public spaces and infrastructure, support of local arts, and projects that address community needs.
• Economic Growth with an average return of $5.50 for every dollar invested by the federal government. 
• Educational experiences, both formal and informal, that connect residents and visitors alike with the region's heritage.
• Enhanced quality of life through the introduction of amenities and improved public spaces. 

Learn more about our National Heritage Area endeavor, download useful documents and handouts, and get updates here.