Our Vision: The Potomac Heritage Partnership seeks to inspire and foster a sense of community and integrity that promotes the preservation and protection of cultural heritage resources for the Potomac River watershed.
			As a national heritage treasure, the Nation's River deserves to be protected, and in that capacity, the Potomac Heritage Partnership seeks to: Showcase the essence of America within the Nation's River watershed; " Promote a premier national and international destination for the four watershed states (i.e. MD/PA/VA/WV) and our nation's capital, and; Foster a heritage-based regional collaboration within the Federal, State and local government and private sectors. The Partnership seeks to identify and assist those individuals and organizations at the local level within the watershed who are contributing to their community's sense of place and importance through programs tied to heritage tourism's positive impact upon commerce, culture and conservation. Program Areas Heritage Tourism is the core program of the Partnership because it utilizes historic, architectural, natural, cultural and appropriate recreational resources to positively impact an area's economic and community development while preserving its character, culture and tangible assets. Integrally related is Heritage Education, which utilizes the cultural heritage assets of a community to engage all ages, but especially young people, in the importance of the past to enhance and focus upon a SENSE OF PLACE for today and the future. The Culture of Water is an emerging subset for the Partnership as we explore, with others, what draws people to the waters of the Potomac and its tributaries for personal, artistic and/or spiritual inspiration and fulfillment. The Organization The Potomac Heritage Partnership, a charitable, non-profit organization (501(c)(3), was founded in 1995 to expand the common knowledge and enjoyment of heritage resources within the Potomac River basin - 14,670 square miles from the Fairfax Stone in West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay at Point Lookout, Maryland and Smith Point, Virginia.
			The Partnership is assisting the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area with the development of a feasibility study that will outline the future of this impressive organization. This may result in the designation of this 18-county region in West Virginia and western Maryland as a National Heritage Area. Working with our state partners, the Partnership received a $150,000 HUD Rural Housing and Economic Development grant. The grant will allow us to build state and local capacity in the state of West Virginia and to foster economic development by strengthening local businesses through rural and agritourism. We will utilize market research to determine what experiences, products and services will draw potential niche tourists while continuing to appeal to our tourist categories. From this information, we will develop a pilot training program in a test region and later expand the effort throughout the rest of the state. We will be conducting 11 heritage/rural tourism workshops in West Virginia during the first three months of 2004. These will include sessions on heritage tourism, branding and agritourism. Stay tuned for specific dates. The debut of our Pathfinder's Guide can be found on our website. Southern Maryland was selected as our initial product because of a HUD EDI grant that targeted this culturally significant area. Happy travels!
			Potomac Regional Rural and Agritourism Conference - The conference attracted more than 100 attendees and offered various sessions that focused on the growing importance of this form of tourism to communities and small business entrepreneurs. (June 2003, Shepherdstown, West Virginia) West Virginia Cultural Heritage Tourism Program - PHP has been engaged to help the state further their existing efforts in this area and to develop programs that will truly connect the area's commerce to its culture and conservation efforts. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the West Virginia Development Office area our key partners at the state level, but there are 26 others serving on the steering committee. Together with these partners, we have raised over $300,000 in funds to develop and implement cultural heritage tourism projects in West Virginia. Potomac Heritage Tourism Conference - Communities, Trails and Historic Sites - This effort was the first regional heritage-based trail and tourism conference, and grew out of the needs of 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 (November 2001, La Plata, Maryland) Pathfinder's Guide - The Pathfinder's Guide is a web-based compilation of maps, signage, and interpretive materials linked to local community groups and federal facilities that promote appreciation and use of local trails linked via the internet to the multitude of heritage-based sites in the watershed. The first phase has been completed, and features southern Maryland. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail - In cooperation with the National Park Service and local agencies and organizations led a coordinated effort to realize opportunities associated with the early stage development of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Potomac Sojourn 2001 - With the June 2nd launch of the boats in the Potomac Sojourn 2001, PHP began the first of several planned programs and projects that focus on Prince Georges County and southern Maryland. A primary goal of the Partnership is to promote access to the Potomac River corridor, its historic sites, parks and its other recreational, educational, cultural and environmental assets. Boats built specifically for Sojourn 2001 followed the route taken over 150 years ago by the schooner Pearl in the historic attempt by 77 slaves to escape to freedom in New Jersey, a free state. The boats are available by reservation for use by southern Maryland and Prince Georges County residents. 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 Partnership 1623 28th St., NW Washington, DC 20007 Phone: 202.333.4478 Fax: 202.333.6733 info@potomacheritage.org