The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has been awarded nearly $400,000 by the National Maritime Heritage Program for educational and preservation efforts across the state. The National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), allocated $2 million for maritime heritage grants nationally, with New York’s SHPO receiving the highest combined grant in the latest round of funding.
The awarded sum will be split between preservation and education, with $150,000 allocated for physical preservation efforts, including the Barcelona Lighthouse on Lake Erie, and $242,500 for educational programs, focusing on Black and Indigenous maritime history on Long Island. Additionally, the OPRHP will launch the New York State National Maritime Heritage Subgrant Program in the fall, offering further support for local projects through two separate tracks: one for education and another for preservation.
Commissioner Erik Kulleseid emphasized New York’s rich maritime legacy and the plethora of stories awaiting promotion and safeguarding, spanning various aspects from naval history to light stations. With the anticipation of new grant opportunities, Kulleseid indicated readiness to support statewide organizations in their efforts to highlight and preserve the state’s maritime heritage. The OPRHP has detailed a structured application process for the grants, including a pre-application period from November 15 to December 15, 2023, with full applications due by February 28, 2024, and project completion by September 30, 2025. The grants require a 1:1 match of federal to non-federal funding and are open to local and tribal governments, as well as eligible nonprofits.
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