The National Park Service, in partnership with the Maritime Administration, has announced the award of $2.58 million in Maritime Heritage Program grants for projects in 19 states that preserve sites and objects related to our nation’s maritime history.
“As a nation with vast coastlines and interior waterways, our maritime heritage is an integral part of the story of our economic growth and the defense of our nation,” said Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “These grants will enable our state historic preservation partners to connect local communities to their maritime heritage from sea to shining sea.”
“These iconic maritime treasures must be preserved for future generations -- ships, lighthouses, and the vast array of strategic maritime vessels that served and protected our nation at critical times in our history,” said Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen. “The Maritime Administration is committed to preserving these assets and artifacts from our past, so that future generations can fully appreciate, and be inspired by our nation’s maritime legacy.”
National Maritime Heritage Program Grant awards are made possible through a partnership between the two federal agencies that share a commitment to maritime heritage preservation and education. In accordance with the National Maritime Heritage Act of 1994, funding is provided by the Maritime Administration through the recycling of vessels from the MARAD’s National Defense Reserve Fleet. The grant program supports a broad range of maritime education and preservation projects, without expending tax dollars, while ensuring that the vessels are dismantled in an environmentally sound manner.
The Maritime Heritage Program grants are available to state, tribal, and local governments, as well as private non-profit organizations for education and preservation projects. Education projects are funded in amounts between $15,000-$50,000; preservation projects are funded in amounts between $50,000-$200,000. Education grants can be used for programs such as school curriculum, interpretive programs and web pages, and preservation grant projects can include the rehabilitation or restoration of ships and other maritime resources.
Examples of projects that will be supported by this year’s Maritime Heritage Program grants include: an educational program providing students studying state history at California Title 1 schools an overnight stay aboard historic tall ship Spirit of Dana Point; a plan to rehabilitate four offshore lighthouses to enhance public education and tourism related to Michigan's unique maritime history; and the refinishing of the steel superstructure of the Liberty Ship John W. Brown in Maryland to stabilize and preserve the ship from hull and superstructure corrosion.