News Media
Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County Press Release
March 2, 2005
Arundel Center
44 Calvert Street •
Annapolis, MD 21401-1930
410-222-1805
Heritage_Area@aacounty.org • www.fourriversheritage.org
Contact: Donna Dudley, Executive Director
National Trust for Historic Preservation and Four Rivers
Announce Annapolis “Destination” Award
Annapolis, MD –Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County is pleased to partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to announce that Annapolis has been named one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2005. Four Rivers nominated Annapolis for this national distinction in a competitive process involving more than 80 destinations in 44 states. The Trust is announcing all dozen winners today; a complete list of existing “Distinctive Destinations” can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.
The National Trust’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations program draws national attention to communities that have done extraordinary work protecting their local heritage through well-managed growth, a commitment to historic preservation, an economic base of locally-owned businesses, preserving and maintaining interesting and attractive architecture and cultural diversity, and provide for fun and meaningful activities for families and individuals from various walks of life.
Preserving our communities and landmarks not only helps tell our nation’s stories, it makes good economic sense. The Travel Industry Association of America recently released a study that found that 81% (118 million) U.S. adults who traveled in 2003 included historical or cultural activities on their trips. These travelers spend more money on average than other types of vacationers and tend to stay longer. According to the National Trust, the sheer volume of travelers interested in history and culture, as well as their spending habits, leaves no doubt that history and culture continue to be a significant and growing part of the U.S. travel experience.
Four Rivers joins the National Trust for Historic Preservation today to announce this distinction and to congratulate one of its major partners, the City of Annapolis!
Four Rivers, one of Maryland’s 12 designated heritage areas, is a partnership among the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, the town of Highland Beach, and historic sites, heritage organizations, and businesses to encourage economic development through resource preservation and heritage tourism. For more information on this heritage area and on the state heritage areas program, please visit www.fourriversheritage.org and www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net.
