Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative

Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative
Status Report

Prepared by Potomac Heritage Partnership
August 15, 2002

Background
Over the past several years, Potomac Heritage Partnership (PHP) has been leading a regional heritage tourism initiative. The Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative (PHTI) is operated in partnership with the National Park Service, Friends of the Potomac, George Washington University, and many other public, corporate and nonprofit entities within the Potomac River watershed. The National Park Service has awarded a grant for PHTI, allowing PHP to hire a part-time staff person through George Washington University. PHP staff is compiling a database of heritage tourism organizations throughout the watershed including state and local tourism agencies, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, historic battlefields, monuments, historic farms, restaurants, inns, bed and breakfasts, touring companies, and many others. PHP hosts regular PHTI conferences with its partners and is making important strides toward identifying the key participants in a future Potomac Heritage Tourism Alliance.

The goal of the Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative is to identify and promote opportunities for long term tourism-based economic development in the Potomac River watershed. The outcome of this initiative will be establishment of a self-sustaining Alliance of heritage tourism agencies and organizations throughout the watershed area.

Results to date:
Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative. Promoted the Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative throughout the watershed with a focus on how cultural and ecology-based tourism can profitably impact and positively influence issues tied to commerce, culture and conservation. Assembled the Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative Steering Advisory Committee to guide early stages of the initiative.
Funding for Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative. Funding provided by the National Park Service to provide for a graduate student intern from George Washington University Institute of Tourism to assist in early stage development of the Initiative. Coordination through Friends of the Potomac.
Potomac Heritage Tourism Survey. Conducted a 9-month study of heritage tourism within the Potomac River watershed, designed to assess the need for a consolidated heritage tourism program within the watershed. Study process included focus groups, individual leadership interviews and mail survey. Results presented at roundtable meeting in late 2000, with action plan presented for implementation in 2001-02.
Potomac Heritage Tourism Workshop. Conducted the Potomac Heritage Tourism Workshop in Lonanconing, Maryland, in cooperation with Georges Creek Promotion Council, Friends of the Potomac, National Park Service, Maryland Office of Planning, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Maryland Department of Economic Development.
“Heritage Tourism: Efforts for the Potomac River Watershed.”  Completed the 249-page study, "Heritage Tourism:  Efforts for the Potomac River Watershed, in cooperation with the National Park Service, Friends of the Potomac and George Washington University.
Potomac Heritage Tourism Conference – Communities, Trails and Historic Sites, held November 2001 - the first regional heritage-based trail and tourism conference, as requested by organizations, agencies and sites within the Potomac watershed to promote and link local efforts in heritage tourism and the planning and interpretation of community-based trails. With more than 120 participants from throughout the watershed, co-sponsored with financial assistance from US HUD-EDI and the National Park Service – RTCA. Participating partners included Charles County Office of Tourism, DC Heritage Tourism Coalition, Maryland Historical Trust, National Park Service – National Capital Region and Northeast Region, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Office of Historic Alexandria, St. Mary’s Office of Tourism, the Underground Railroad Initiative, Maryland Office of Planning, Maryland State Highway Administration (Scenic Byways), St. Mary’s College, College of Southern Maryland, among others.

Potomac Sojourn© 2001 – 6-day experiential education journey on the Potomac River, from Washington, DC to Historic St. Mary’s City, designed to highlight an itinerary for others to follow, showcasing the landscape and historic sites, helping to define a waterway trail and promoting outdoor experiences. Two small boats constructed by youth, for use by residents of Prince Georges and Charles County in further exploration of local heritage resources. Conducted in cooperation with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, the Muncaster Challenge Program (MCPS), St. Mary’s College, Historic St. Mary’s City, Accokeek Foundation, US Marine Corps Quantico, USN Dahlgren, and the Leary School. Financial assistance from US Housing and Urban Development-Economic Development Initiative and Montgomery County Public Schools.

Develop and promote the Pathfinders Guide, a compilation of maps, signage, and interpretive materials with local community groups and federal facilities that promote appreciation and use of local trails linked to the multitude of heritage-based sites in the watershed.  The first of these will be in southern Prince George's County, Maryland along the Potomac Heritage Trail corridor, highlighting both on-road and off-road trail routes. In final development for presentation on PHP’s website, www.potomacheritage.org. Individual components include, but are not limited to:

o Prince George’s County Potomac Heritage Trail Canoe-Paddling Map – Map in development by PHP in conjunction with Prince George’s County Office of Tourism, the Bicycle and Trails Group (BTAG) and Atlantic Canoe and Kayak.
o Prince George’s County Potomac Heritage Trail On-Road Map – Map prepared and distributed by PHP in conjunction with BTAG, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning, Prince George’s County Transportation Office, Southern Maryland Trail Riders of Tomorrow, Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, Southern Prince George’s Trails Coalition and PEPCO.
o Prince George’s County Potomac Heritage Off-Road Map - Map in preparation by PHP in conjunction with BTAG, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning, Prince George’s County Transportation Office, Southern Maryland Trail Riders of Tomorrow, Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, Southern Prince George’s Trails Coalition, National Capital Parks-East, Fort Washington and Fort Foote, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Potomac Trail Council.
o Charles County Civil War Map – map to highlight county-wide historic sites in preparation in conjunction with Charles County Office of Tourism and Charles County Museum Consortium.

Forest Heritage Forum – the Potomac Watershed. PHP hosted the Forest Heritage Forum, in conjunction with support from the National Park Service, National Capital Region in conjunction with the Society of American Foresters, 100th Annual Meeting.
Southern Maryland Foodways and Agri-tourism – on-going development of coordinated program by PHP in conjunction with US Dept. Of Agriculture, Thomas Stone Historic Site, St. Mary’s College, Historic St. Mary’s City, College of Southern Maryland, and Charles, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s Offices of Tourism, Anacostia Heritage Trails Area, and Maryland Historical Trust.

Potomac Heritage Trail (Prince George’s County) Public Relations Materials – development of promotional materials by PHP including identifying logo and creation of trail markers, in conjunction with BTAG members Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning, Prince George’s County Transportation Office, Southern Maryland Trail Riders of Tomorrow, Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, Southern Prince George’s Trails Coalition, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Potomac Trail Council.

Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (Monongahela National Forest) - Cooperative Agreement signed between PHP and the US Forest Service for development of projects in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network Program and other educational or interpretive programs

WV/MD Regional Agri-Rural Tourism Conference – PHP to develop and host conference, working with USDA representatives in West Virginia and Maryland to be held in October 2002

Potomac River Paddling Sojourn 2002– June 23-30, 2002; PHP joint sponsorship with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, DC Government, Va. Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, Md. Dept. of Natural Resources, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, National Park Service, Potomac Conservancy, Potomac Trail Council. PHP hosted first day of Sojourn in historic Shepherdstown, WV, June 23, 2002.

Potomac Connections quarterly newsletter – PHP publication with focus on Southern Maryland, heritage organizations and agencies within the Potomac River watershed.

Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks NRA - Grant awarded to PHP by the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network to create and install wayside signs and exhibits within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks NRA – cash match awarded from the WV Office of Tourism in conjunction with match from the US Forest Service and the WV Highway Dept.

Main Street National Trust Resource Team – Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Participated by PHP on resource team at the request of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

West Virginia Forest Heritage Area – PHP serves on the Planning Committee for a multi-county approach to development of a region-wide heritage area.

Historic Beverly, WV – development of a Strategic and Short-term Business Plan by PHP, including development of “branding” materials and public relations package.

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia Annual Conference (August 2002) - PHP working with the Preservation Alliance of WV and West Virginia University in development of their annual conference which will be on heritage tourism.

Potomac Highlands Heritage Tourism and Trails Program – PHP working with the Preservation Alliance of WV as our main partner on this project.

Matthew Henson Explorers Trail Program – PHP development of this program in conjunction with the Maryland Matthew Henson Foundation, Inc. and key educational partners such as the Phoenix I program and Mark Twain School in Montgomery County, Maryland. Announcement in August 2002 regarding the program and potential partners in Montgomery County including educational facilities and heritage sites that would participate in the program.

DC Heritage Trails Advisory Board – PHP is the regional representative in conjunction with DC Dept. of Public Works and DC Heritage Tourism Coalition – review and approve neighborhood thematic heritage trail development and production of educational materials

Anacostia Trail Heritage Area – cooperative ventures with PHP to showcase and highlight this heritage area within the Potomac River watershed in conjunction with more than 60 agencies and organizations represented in the

National Park Service Underground Railroad Initiative – PHP assists at regional ‘gatherings’ in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Assist in planning and implementation of meetings within the Potomac River watershed, working with the National Park Service regional representative to this initiative.

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum and Lane Historic District (Claude Moore Park) – development of collaborative programs with PHP in heritage tourism and education in conjunction with county-wide program to encourage rural and agri-tourism through farm tours, and other activities.

PHP Heritage Tourism Consultation – for agencies and heritage-based foundations and organizations throughout the Potomac watershed, to include:

o Camp Roosevelt CCC Legacy Foundation
o Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture
o Great Falls National Park
o Georgetown Historic District
o Office of Historic Alexandria
o Rochambeau Heritage Trail Planning Team
o Star Spangled Heritage Trail Planning Team
o Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
o Thomas Stone National Historic Site
o Canal Place Heritage Area
o Seneca Rocks Discovery Center