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, telegraphs, and train travel. This program will include updated signage, information kiosks, a heritage center, and interpretive program trails.

 

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 84 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 roughly the Baltimore/Washington Parkway to the East. The eastern boundary will be amended to include Bowie, Glenn Dale, and Cheverly 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 Heritage Area. ATHA Inc. performs its work through partnerships, programs and grants. 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 Georges Convention and Visitors Bureau, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince Georges 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, and the Beltsville area. In 2017, the City of Bowie, Town of Cheverly, and unincorporated areas around Glenn Dale were brought into the Heritage Area.

 

ATHA Inc. has a governing 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: