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Maryland Historical Trust

Statewide Preservation Plan

Ornate wooden stair brackets with a Greek key patterned molding on a weathered wall.

Heritage2031, Maryland’s statewide preservation plan (2023-2031), sets a course for preserving historic places, archaeology and cultural heritage in the state through 2031. 

This plan includes goals, objectives and strategies for nonprofits, government agencies, cultural resource professionals, and others involved in historic preservation and archaeology, in addition to the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). 

How the plan was created 

MHT is Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the National Park Service requires that each SHPO create a plan to guide efforts for historic preservation, archaeology and cultural heritage. 

To develop Heritage2031, MHT gathered input from many people and organizations through: 

  • Public meetings, focus groups, and surveys
  • Interviews with stakeholders and partners
  • Feedback received online 

Based on this feedback, MHT developed goals, objectives, and strategies to guide preservation work statewide. 

What the plan covers 

The plan sets out a vision for Maryland’s historic and cultural places: 

To protect and share Maryland’s diverse cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride, awareness, belonging, and stewardship among our communities, while promoting: 

  • Economic vitality
  • Equity and accessibility
  • Sustainability
  • Educational enrichment
  • Climate resilience 

Heritage2031 advances this vision through five goals: 

  • Goal 1: Prioritize Underrepresented Communities
  • Goal 2: Support Professionals & the Public
  • Goal 3: Enhance Climate Adaptation, Local Planning, & Economic Development
  • Goal 4: Improve Efficiency & Accessibility
  • Goal 5: Make the Case for Preservation 

Each goal includes recommended objectives and strategies and identifies the organizations responsible for carrying out the strategies. The plan also includes an updated list of preservation funding opportunities and resources.  

How MHT tracks the plan 

MHT will monitor progress by: 

  • Reporting annually to the National Park Service
  • Sharing highlights in MHT’s annual reports
  • Updating resource and funding lists on MHT’s website

Download the plan