Have you heard of the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area (Maritime Washington)? It’s possible you have not, but you have certainly enjoyed its scenic shorelines. And, you’ve probably seen the results of projects they have collaborated on to enhance the beauty of Puget Sound and celebrate its history, like the current Tugboat Parthia preservation with South Sound Maritime Heritage Association and the Port of Olympia.
In 2019, a bill passed in Congress that created the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. “The efforts that led to that designation took over a decade of work from a lot of different people and organizations throughout the region,” shares Carson Meacham, communications specialist for the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. “A few entities who were involved in the original planning efforts include: 4Culture, the Association of King County Historic Organizations, the National Park Service Pacific West Region, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the Pacific Northwest Maritime Heritage Council. But these are just a few of the dozens of entities and hundreds of individuals who helped create this National Heritage Area.”
In 2022, after 20 years of advocacy work at the local, state and federal levels, which resulted in the passing of the 2019 bill, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area was publicly declared. The area covers 3,000 miles of Washington saltwater shoreline: from the Canadian border, through the Puget Sound and its islands, around our Olympic Peninsula down to the southern edge of Grays Harbor.
“We were designated because people want to preserve and connect with the stories, experiences, resources, and cultures of Washington’s extensive maritime heritage,” shares Meacham.
Maritime Washington is a program of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and part of the Nation Park Service as a National Heritage Area. However, Maritime Washington is also non-regulatory, meaning they do not make any rules or tell people what they can or can’t do with their land, explains Meacham.
Dedicated People Work Together to Preserve and Protect Washington Shorelines
The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is about preserving history while protecting the area for future generations. Projects like the Tugboat Parthia preservation showcase the history of the area whereas its advocacy work helps make sure the shoreline and areas around it are preserved for decades to come. “We’ve helped local organizations access national resources and recognitions, such as our work last year to support Port Hadlock’s Ajax Café in receiving a 2024 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” shares Meacham. “We also advocate for the preservation of historic properties by working with local officials to find solutions and raise community support for threatened maritime sites, such as the Coupeville Wharf.”
In 2024, they launched their grant program and awarded more than $260,000 to maritime heritage projects in the region. Funding went to a wide range of projects from documentaries and museum exhibits to interpretive sites and nomination for the National Register of Historic Places.
“We focus on building public-private partnerships, supporting maritime heritage efforts, and advocating for greater protection of maritime heritage resources,” says Meacham.
Partnerships Keep the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Strong
The key to its success is the many partnerships with other organizations and entities in the South Sound area. The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area has many official and unofficial partners, which the organization works with to carry out its mission, as well as the other groups’ missions.
“One of the primary ways that we support those partners is by helping connect people with their sites and programs,” explains Meacham. “We also help connect partners with each other, with technical assistance, and with funding. We are lucky to live in a place with so many different groups who care about maritime heritage and have so many different projects going.” The idea to help, not hinder, whatever that group is already working on.
The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area encompasses the lands of 21, federally-recognized Native American Tribes. The Tribal Working Group is a meaningful partnership that helps the group as they work around the Tribal lands. “We work with the representatives on the Working Group to establish new relationships, guide current projects, and ensure that we’re doing our due diligence in respecting the people and stories that have existed here since time immemorial,” explains Meacham.
The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is always working on several projects at once. The best way to keep up-to-date is to check out the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area website, where you can sign up for their newsletter, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. Those who want to get involved can DM them to speak directly with Meacham. “I’m super friendly, and I’m happy to chat with folks who are interested in the heritage area,” he adds. You can also email him at carson@preservewa.org, or call at 206.735.4406.
