Maryland Milestones, a brand established in 2012 by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc., highlights the first and unique moments which have occurred (or are occurring) in the (Maryland Certified) Anacostia Trails Heritage Area. This program brings information about these “milestones” to the public and makes connections between the history, culture, and nature of the region. Additionally, the Maryland Milestones brand emphasizes the importance travel, trade, and communication have played in the region – through turnpikes, highways, parkways, aviation, streetcars, telegraphs, and train travel. This program involves updating signage, creating information kiosks, building a heritage center, and development of interpretive heritage routes.

 

About Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA):

 

The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area is one of 13 Heritage Areas certified by the State of Maryland under the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Certified in 2001, the region encompasses over 100 square miles of Northern Prince Georges County – bordered by Washington, D.C. to the south, Montgomery County to the West, Howard and Anne Arundel County to the North and encompassing portions of Bowie, Glenn Dale, and Cheverly to the East. This eastern boundary was amended in 2017.

 

The Heritage Area is managed by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc.  ATHA Inc. is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical, artistic, cultural, and natural resources of the Certified Heritage Area. ATHA Inc. performs its work through partnerships, programs and grantmaking. Our partnerships include Federal partners (Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Greenbelt National Park, and the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge); State Partners (MHAA, Department of Tourism) Regional Partners (Prince George’s Conference and Visitors Bureau, Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Prince George’s County); and local partners, sites, and municipalities. Our participating municipalities are Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Edmonston, Berwyn Heights, Greenbelt, College Park, Mt. Rainier, Hyattsville, Brentwood, North Brentwood, Riverdale Park, University Park, the Beltsville area, Bowie, Cheverly, and unincorporated areas around Glenn Dale.

 

ATHA Inc. has a governing/advisory board made up of representatives from our partner communities to set goals and a managing board for day-to-day operations. We are a 501(c)3 organization under the IRS code. The organization originally served in an advisory capacity to the Redevelopment Authority of Prince Georges County. In 2010 the organization took full operation of the Heritage Area.

 

Staff & Board: