Discover the land...
Where Time & Tide Meet
Discover History
Discover historical sites and landmarks, search our fossil-laden cliffs, kayak over ghostly sunken ships, and so much more.
Explore the Sites
Immerse yourself in the history and heritage of Southern Maryland and discover the stories, sites, landmarks, parks, waterways, landscapes, and most of all, the people that have defined this region.
Plan Your Trip
Immerse yourself in stories that define our state, nation, and communities.
We are the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
In each of these counties are dozens of historical sites, cultural monuments, and parks dedicated to the preservation of Southern Maryland’s unique history. Click below to explore the rich cultural experiences each county has to offer.
What is a National Heritage Area?
We get that question a lot. Here’s one answer: it’s not a national park. Not government-owned land. It’s a lived-in landscape. A place where people still live and work. Where history, culture and nature come together to tell a story that matters to the whole country.
Some places preserve the past under glass. A heritage area carries it forward in the hands of the people who live here, which is exactly what we’re doing across Southern Maryland.
Who We Are
Find out more about our passion for celebrating culture, sharing history, and preserving thousands of miles of shoreline.
Presenting ‘Grandma’s Hands’
The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is one of 13 certified heritage areas in Maryland and one of 62 Congressionally designated national heritage areas across the country.
Working with communities, historic sites, museums and parks, SMNHA exists to:
- Preserve the places and stories that define our region
- Support recreation and heritage tourism
- Conserve natural and cultural resources
- Create educational opportunities
- Strengthen communities and local economies
Southern Maryland has always mattered to the nation. As a National Heritage Area, we’re working to ensure its full story is understood, shared, and carried forward.
