Maritime Washington and the 61 other National Heritage Areas across the country deserve adequate funding to continue celebrating America’s story.
For more than 40 years, National Heritage Areas have been the keepers of America’s stories. From the Motor Cities to the Mississippi Delta, the Cascades to the Catskills, America’s 62 National Heritage Areas (NHAs) offer something for nearly every American in nearly every corner of the country. NHAs use public-private partnerships to share the American story, preserve our history, stimulate significant local economic development, and empower communities to care for their important places.
In 2019, we were honored to join this system when Congress designated the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, recognizing the national significance of our state’s saltwater shores. Though one of the newest NHAs, our impact on the Washington community is already clear.
$2.6M+
in local match leveraged
1,360+
volunteer hours from local supporters
4,000+
participants in Maritime Washington events and public programs
50+
stories of maritime heritage in two years
In just two years, we have convened 58 cross-sector partners around maritime heritage, awarded $260,000 in subgrants, delivered capacity building support and education for 44 organizations, received a regional Emmy Award, and begun to pilot a collaborative storytelling and tourism promotion project with Suquamish and Squaxin Island Tribes.
Maritime Washington’s contributions to our community reflect the broader impact of NHAs nationwide.
Through partnerships with more than 7,000 organizations across the United States in Fiscal Year 2023, National Heritage Areas leveraged roughly $50 million in local contributions, nearly doubling their federal funding. These public-private partnerships led to 2.4 million visitors to National Heritage Area events in 2023.
One study found that National Heritage Areas created nearly $13 billion in economic impact for the communities they serve. We provide tremendous returns for taxpayers, businesses, and community organizations.
Adjusted for inflation, individual National Heritage Areas now receive half the funding they did 20 years ago.
Despite growing in numbers, use, popularity, and broad bipartisan support, total federal funding for National Heritage Areas has remained relatively flat. For Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas is requesting $33.5 million in annual funding for the National Heritage Area program, administered through the National Park Service. This amounts to approximately $500,000 for each National Heritage Area—level funding for current National Heritage Areas like Maritime Washington. Unfortunately, the current continuing resolution and House and Senate versions of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill fall several million dollars short of this modest request.
At this time of increased scrutiny over federal spending, we need your help to ensure that members of Congress recognize the value of our National Heritage Areas.
What you can do: contact your Senators and Representative and tell them to continue funding National Heritage Areas!
Or write your own comments explaining why the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area matters to you. Every word helps to show your support!
Not sure who your representative is? Click here to search by zip code.
- Senator Patty Murray, click here for contact form, 154 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 2051, (202) 224-2621
- Senator Maria Cantwell, click here for contact form, 511 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, (202) 224-3441
- 2nd District: Representative Rick Larsen, click here for contact form, 2163 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, (202) 225-2605
- 6th District: Representative Emily Randall, click here for contact form, 1531 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510
- 7th District: Representative Pramila Jayapal, click here for contact form, 2346 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, (202) 225-3106
- 9th District: Representative Adam Smith, click here for contact form, 2264 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, (202) 225-8901
- 10th District: Representative Marilyn Strickland, click here for contact form, 1708 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, (202) 225-9740