Preservation
Articles
National Heritage Areas
What is a National Heritage Area?
The National Heritage Area Program was established by Congress in 1984 as a program of the National Park Service. The purpose of the program is to provide non-traditional approaches to resource stewardship by supporting large-scale, community centered initiatives that connect local citizens to the preservation and planning process. National Heritage Areas are defined and managed by local communities, with the designation process directed by Congress. The National Park Service provides resources, information and advice to communities within National Heritage Areas.
What parts of National Heritage Areas are important to know?
The National Scenic Byways Program and the National Heritage Area Program have similarities in their grassroots approach to planning, resource management and tourism. Communities prepare applications for both programs and are responsible for managing resources, visitor services and planning. The National Park Service, a Federal agency partner within the National Scenic Byways Program, is the supporting agency for the National Heritage Areas, and provides education, resources and advice to designated and emerging National Heritage Areas. Another similarity is focus on community pride of its history, resources, traditions and stories. Both programs encourage citizens and communities to organize, plan and identify resources and stories for protection and interpretation.
How do National Heritage Areas affect my byway?
National Heritage Areas offer a great partnership opportunity for your byway. Several existing National Heritage Areas overlap with America’s Byways. View the map of designated National Heritage Areas at http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/VST/INDEX.HTM. Partnering with an organization that has a similar mission and goals can provide many advantages. There are opportunities for information sharing. Both programs require development of a management plan with similar criteria. The National Heritage Area must provide the plan in the context of a feasibility study, and a byway needs to develop a corridor management plan. It could be cost-effective, provide consistency and prevent community conflict and division of community support and resources by working together to develop and promote projects, such as interpretation, historic, cultural or recreational projects.
Where do I turn for help?
- For general information on National Heritage Areas: http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/
- To learn how to become a National Heritage Area: http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/become/index.htm
- For the National Heritage Area Toolbox: http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/VST/INDEX.HTM
