For Immediate Release  
December 5, 2006
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Two Maryland Counties Pass Resolutions Supporting Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area

Waterford, Virginia --The Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG) Partnership reports two new county Board of Commissioners in Maryland - Carroll County and Washington County- passed resolutions to become a partner of the JTHG Partnership. Specifically, the resolutions support the proposed Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area legislation currently under consideration in the United States Congress, as well as other JTHG partnership programs including educational outreach and heritage tourism initiatives.

On October 17, 2006 the Washington County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution of support to become a JTHG Partner in public session following a presentation by Cate Magennis Wyatt, president of the JTHG Partnership and Tom Riford, president of the Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The goals outlined by the JTHG partnership are a perfect fit with Washington County,” said Tom Riford. “This proposed national heritage area has the support of our historic county, as well as the support of the three-county wide state certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.”

Washington County is the home to the bloodiest battle in American history – Antietam – as well as South Mountain and other notable Civil War battlefields. In additional it is noted for its French and Indian War stone fort – Fort Frederick – and its significant transportation history including the National Road, C&O Canal, rail and aviation history.

On November 16, 2006, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution supporting The Journey Through Hallowed Ground following a public meeting on October 10, 2006. According to Daphne Daly, Planning Manager for Carroll County, it is important to the community to be an active participant in The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership. “We want Carroll County and its historic sites, such as those that are a part of Maryland’s Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, to be a part of this prestigious national effort to raise awareness of the history in the region.”

Both resolutions endorse a federal plan to designate The Journey Through Hallowed Ground a National Heritage Area. This national honorary designation functions as a federal “seal of approval” acknowledging the depth of historic assets in the corridor and its importance to American cultural heritage. In Bills sponsored by Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Senator George Allen (R-VA), both the U.S. House and Senate are considering designate the Journey as National Heritage Areas.

According the Partnership officials, The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, if approved, will become the nation’s 38th National Heritage Area and one of the nation’s most historically extensive. In addition, NHA status would help boost the local economy by promoting tourism and raising national awareness of the area’s cultural and historic riches.

Kat Imhoff, JTHG Partnership board chairman and vice president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation noted, “Passage this week of two resolutions by these governing bodies along the Journey is an incredible reflection of not only strong political leadership and civic support for the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, but also strong recognition of the tremendous heritage and economic opportunities that the Journey offers to local residents and all Americans alike.”