Anacostia Trails Heritage Area
Bladensburg’s 1925 Peace Cross Memorializes the city’s World War I Casualties.
Since 2005, Center staff and and students have partnered with the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA), one of 23 state-designated Heritage Areas. The collaboration promotes heritage tourism in the part of Prince George’s County, along the historic Route 1 corridor, that surrounds the University of Maryland. These efforts included the ATHA interest group, historical research in the Port Towns region of ATHA, and a collaborative interpretive history project involving several center affiliates.
CHRS has hosted a series of interest group meetings for University scholars interested in pursuing research within ATHA. Plans are currently underway to develop an interdisciplinary undergraduate course cluster centered on ATHA, as well as establishing an ATHA library, currently housed in the Center. Additionally, interest group member and affiliate, Judith Freidenberg has conducted work on an Immigrant Life History Museum to be located in ATHA.
In addition, with support from the University’s Historic Preservation Department, CHRS conducted historical research in the Port Towns area in an effort create a comprehensive and accessible archive for researchers. The archive includes technical and historical documents as well as maps and ephemera. Historic Preservation graduate student Suzanne Stasiulatis prepared a 400-item database of resources related to the area. View Suzanne’s photos of the Port Towns Area.
Center for Heritage Resource Studies 