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Interpretive Themes in the Four Rivers Heritage Area Management Plan

Interpretive Themes in the Four Rivers Heritage Area Management Plan

Introduction: the Four Rivers’ Mini-Grant application asks this question:

How is the project consistent with the interpretive themes in the Heritage Area Management Plan? Explain.
Please refer directly to our Management Plan, especially Section 3, “Interpretive Framework.” Include section and page numbers in your reference.

The Four Rivers Interpretive Themes can be found on the Four Rivers website by clicking on Management Plan, under the “For Partners” tab. Section 3 of the Plan contains our “Interpretive Framework.” Here is a useful summary of our themes, but please be sure to visit the website and read the details for yourself! And also note: this plan was written in 2000. If your site is relevant but not specifically mentioned as a “Key Resource,” you will want to describe how your site/project also fits the interpretive theme.

Interpretive Themes:

  • Waterways
  • Living with the Past
  • America’s Roots

Waterways: The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries draw many visitors to the Four Rivers Heritage Area. The Four Rivers refers to the Severn, South, West and Rhode in Anne Arundel County. The heritage area is rich with maritime history and many sites have a connection to the waterways, either historically or presently. Whether it’s the use of the land itself, watermen making a living off of the waterways, or the many uses of water recreation the heritage area provide, Four Rivers includes a wealth of resources. Local farms and farmers also contribute to the land and water, how does your site connect with local produce or seafood? Refer to pages 9-12 in the Management Plan for a more detailed explanation.

  1.  The Ecology of the Water’s Edge: Key resources: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Annapolis Recreation and Parks, SERC, Historic London Town and Gardens, City Dock in downtown Annapolis
  2. Waterborne Commerce and Communication: Key resources: The Annapolis Historic District, Captain Avery Museum, Galesville, Deale, Shady Side, Eastport, Historic Annapolis, Historic London Town and Gardens
  3. Commerce to Recreation: Key resources: Galesville, Highland Beach, Bay Ridge, Annapolis Harbor, Eastport, Shady Side, Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Deale
  4. Life on the Water: Key resources: The Naval Academy (guided tours, Visitor’s Center, Museum), Maryland State Archives, City Dock, Historic Annapolis, Captain Avery Museum, Galesville, AAACCVB Visitor’s Center, Deale, Shady Side

Living with the Past: Four Rivers is extremely fortunate to have a high concentration of living historical landmarks within the heritage area. Many of these sites retain their original use such as the Naval Academy and the Maryland State House. Historic preservation, archaeological investigations, cultural conservation, and historical research also play into this theme along with adaptive reuse of many of the buildings in the heritage area. The heritage area also boasts a well-known artist community that dates back centuries, including Charles Willson Peale and John Shaw. Refer to pages 12-14 in the Management Plan for more information.

  1. Living Landmarks: Key resources: Historic Annapolis, historic churches within the heritage area, Maryland State House, Historic London Town and Gardens, Hammond-Harwood House, Chase-Lloyd House, Naval Academy, Maryland State Archives
  2. Preserving the Past: Key resources: the Wilson House restoration in Galesville, ongoing archaeological digs and archives, Captain Avery Museum, Charles Carroll House, Historic Annapolis, HammondHarwood House, Historic London Town and Gardens
  3. The Re-Usable Past: Key resources: Banneker-Douglass Museum, Historic Annapolis, various properties in Eastport
  4. Artists, Architects, and Artisans: Key resources: Annapolis City Plan, Historic Annapolis (William Paca House), Charles Carroll House, Chase-Lloyd House, Historic London Town and Gardens (William Brown House), National Register properties in the heritage area, Hammond-Harwood House, Naval Academy, Maryland State House

America’s Roots: The heritage area is, in many ways, a model on which America as a nation has been patterned. This is seen in our early days when European settlers came to this region and began colonization. African Americans also have an extremely rich history in the heritage area, especially in the Annapolis Historic District. Many key events in the American Revolution and the Civil War happened in this region. Refer to pages 15-16 in the Management Plan for more details.

  1. A Revolutionary Time: Key resources: Charles Carroll House, Chase-Lloyd House, Hammond Harwood House, Maryland State Archives, Maryland State House, Historic Annapolis (William Paca House), St. John’s College
  2. War and Peace: Key resources: Maryland State Archives, Maryland State House, Naval Academy, Galesville, Deale, Eastport (WWII history)
  3. African Americans in Anne Arundel: Key resources: African American Heritage in Annapolis, Annapolis Historic District, Asbury Methodist Church, Banneker-Douglass Museum, Galesville, Historic Annapolis, Charles Carroll House, Hammond-Harwood House, Highland Beach, Kunta Kinte Alex Haley Memorial Site at City Dock, Maryland State Archives, Maryland State House, Naval Academy