Heritage tourism | Cambridge, MD

Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area

The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area leverages public and private partnerships to assist individuals, organizations and government entities protect, preserve and promote Dorchester County’s unique historic, cultural and natural resources. Its mission is to broaden and deepen the beneficial effect of heritage tourism on the local economy through advocacy, interpretation and preservation that enhances assets and people’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of those assets.

Each of Maryland’s Certified Heritage Areas is defined by its distinctive characteristics that make it different from other parts of the state. Most of Dorchester County is certified as the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area. The themes that define us are these:

Agricultural Life
Arts, Artists & Entertainment
Chesapeake Landscapes and Outdoor Adventures
Dorchester Families and Traditions
Dorchester History, Architecture & Artifacts
The Environment
Harriet Tubman and the Eastern Shore African-American History
Maritime Villages, Trades and Life
Native American Heritage

Explore

Pick up a Dorchester Heritage Guide and Passport Booklet and explore the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area at your own pace. The 12 stops on the self-guided Passport Tour highlight Dorchester County’s unique history.

Heritage Partner Spotlight

Heritage Area Resources

Heritage Area News & Announcements

Heritage Awardees Honored

Congratulations to our Heritage Awardees who were honored at a reception this week for their achievements in helping to preserve and promote Dorchester County’s local culture.

Heritage Board Nominees Sought

The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area (HCCHA) is seeking nominations for two at-large seats on the Heritage Area’s Management Board. Both terms are for three years and will begin in January 2024.

Heritage Area Award Nominations 2023

A lot of amazing people in Dorchester County work hard to preserve and promote their local history and culture. Here's your chance to nominate them for some well-deserved recognition - the 2023 Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area Awards. (Click the headline above for more info.)

Mini-Grants Awarded to Heritage Partners

The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area (HCCHA) has awarded mini-grants totaling $25,000 to 11 non-profit organizations and local municipalities to assist with projects that enrich heritage resources and events in Dorchester County.

Heritage Mini-Grant Applications Open

The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area is accepting Mini-Grant applications for projects that enrich heritage resources or events in the Dorchester County. These small, matching grants of up to $5,000 are available to local municipalities and non-profit organizations within the Heritage Area.

MHAA FY2024 Grant Round Opens

Now is the time to plan for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority FY2024 grant round! We encourage non-profits and municipalities with projects or ideas that involve historical, cultural or natural resources, sites, events or facilities to attend one of the information sessions about the grants process. (Click on the headline to read more.)