Spanning 3,000 miles of Washington State’s saltwater shoreline, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area celebrates our state’s unique and diverse water-based cultures. This heritage area builds partnerships to support our coastal communities in maintaining and sharing their water-based stories and resources.
We’re here to help preserve and interpret Washington’s maritime heritage. We do that by:
Connecting you with maritime stories and experiences.
Supporting those who steward and interpret our water-based heritage.
Advocating for maritime resources, practices, and ways of life.
Women on the Waterfront: Vanessa Castle
By Vanessa Chin, Maritime Washington Storytelling Intern Image above: Standing on one end of a rotary screw trap, Vanessa Castle…
Maritime Washington National Heritage Area: Management Plan approved!
by Alex Gradwohl. In October 2022, the Management Plan for the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area was approved by the…
A Seafood Journey Through Bellingham
For all our seafood lovers, we’ve crafted this two-day game plan to explore Bellingham’s maritime heritage and revel in the…
On Native Shores
Since time immemorial, Native people have flourished—and continue to thrive—along Washington’s coastline, developing technologies, cultures, and lifeways that are deeply rooted in and shaped by this unique place. Explore our Maritime Mapper to find places where you can learn about the first people of this region directly from Tribes.
Where are we located?
The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area includes 3,000 miles of saltwater shoreline stretching north from Grays Harbor through Puget Sound to the Canadian border. Ranging from remote wilderness coasts to bustling ports and downtown skyscrapers, these dynamic shorelines connect a rich mix of communities, stories, and experiences.
