National Heritage Area Information

In 1996 the United States Congress established the 14 counties of the SC National Heritage Corridor and designated it as a National Heritage Area. The SCNHC has the honor of being the first of the Southeastern states to receive this special designation and is one of the largest Heritage Areas. 

What is a National Heritage Area?

A National Heritage Area is a region that has been recognized by Congress for its unique qualities and natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources that combine to shape a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape. 

In these areas local communities and leaders cooperate on efforts to preserve those resources. The partnership approach to heritage development involves collaborative planning around a theme, industry and/ or geographical feature that influenced the region's culture and history. This planning strategy encourages residents, government agencies, non-profit groups and private partners to prioritize programs and projects that recognize, preserve and celebrate many of America's defining landscapes. There are currently 27 designated National Heritage Areas. More information on National Heritage Areas 

What is the Alliance of National Heritage Areas?

The Alliance of National Heritage Areas is a membership organization of 24 National Heritage Areas, as well as organizations, partners and individuals that support and participate in heritage development initiatives. The ANHA's activities enhance the efforts of individual congressionally designated areas and promote the heritage development movement in America. Go to the Alliance of National Heritage Areas Webpage 

 

National Heritage Areas

State/s

Date Authorized

Illinois & Michigan National Heritage Corridor

IL

Aug 24, 1984

John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

MA, RI

Nov 10, 1986

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

PA

Nov 18, 1988

Path of Progress Heritage Tour Route

PA

Nov 19, 1988

Cane River National Heritage Area

LA

Nov 2, 1994

Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor

CT, MA

Nov 2, 1994

Cache La Poudre River Corridor

CO

Oct 19, 1996

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area

GA

Nov 12, 1996

Essex National Heritage Area

MA

Nov 12, 1996

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

NY

Nov 12, 1996

National Coal Heritage Area

WV

Nov 12, 1996

Ohio & Erie National Heritage CanalWay

OH

Nov 12, 1996

Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area

PA

Nov 12, 1996

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District

VA

Nov 12, 1996

Silos & Smokestacks

IA

Nov 12, 1996

South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

SC

Nov 12, 1996

Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area

TN

Nov 12, 1996

Wheeling National Heritage Area

WV

Oct 11, 2000

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

AZ

Oct 19, 2000

Lackawanna Heritage Valley 

PA

Nov 6, 2000

MotorCities National Heritage Area

MI

Nov 6, 2000

Schuylkill River National Heritage Area

PA

Nov 6, 2000

Erie Canalway National Corridor

NY

Dec 21, 2000

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

NC

Nov 10, 2003

Mississippi Gulf National Heritage Area

MS

Dec 8, 2004

National Aviation Heritage Area

OH

Dec 8, 2004

Oil Region National Heritage AreaOil Region National Heritage Area

PA

Dec 8, 2004