Maryland Milestones

Maryland Milestones, a program established in 2012 by ATHA Inc., highlight the many firsts and uniques which have occurred in the 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 program emphasizes the importance that travel, trade, and communication have played in the region – through turnpikes, highways, parkways, aviation, telegraphs, and train travel. In Spring 2012 look for the formal rollout of this program with new signage, milestone markers, and interpretive program trails.

About Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA):

The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area is one of 12 Heritage Areas certified by the State of Maryland under the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Established in 1997 and certified in 2001, the organization seeks to preserve nearly 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 Heritage Area is managed by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc.  ATHA Inc. is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical, 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. Currently, 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, Beltsville and Laurel.

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:

Aaron Marcavitch, Executive Director

Sarah Rogers, Director of Interpretation