Patapsco Valley Heritage Area

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Patapsco Valley Heritage Area

The Patapsco Valley Heritage Area- Experience its unique history and enjoy the cultural, natural and recreational assets of this river valley.
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The Patapsco Valley Heritage Area- Experience its unique history and enjoy the cultural, natural and recreational assets of Maryland's most dramatic river valley.

11/08/2024

Cast your vote for the 2024 PaSNAPsco People’s Choice Award by giving your favorite photo a "like." Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday, November 19th!

10/30/2024

Patapsco Heritage Greenway and Visit Howard County, Maryland are pleased to announce a new digital version of A Brief History of Ellicott City’s Undertakers and Funeral Homes that originally exhibited as a part of the EC250 celebration in October 2022 at the Howard County Welcome Center.

This digital exhibit explores the history of Ellicott City’s Undertakers and Funeral Homes, some of which are still serving the Howard County community today. In addition to the original content from the previous exhibit, there has been an addition of video interviews with John Slack from Slack Funeral Homes and Sherri Witzke from Harry H Witzke’s Funeral Home.

The exhibit continues its storytelling about the local funeral homes in Historic Ellicott City and Catonsville. The Howard County Welcome Center, where the exhibit first debuted, was the site of the first undertakers in Ellicott City, Hillsinger’s Undertakers. Three other buildings within walking distance of the Welcome Center that once housed undertaker businesses as well are examined in the digital exhibit as well.

Researchers from Visit Howard County and Patapsco Heritage Greenway have been working with a descendant of the Hillsingers and three funeral service businesses in Ellicott City and Baltimore to shed light on this unique industry. Harry H Witzke’s Funeral Home, Slack Funeral Home, and Sol Levinson’s Funeral Services have all contributed priceless information and insight to this exhibit’s creation.

View the exhibit at https://ow.ly/JK6H50TVMuA

10/29/2024

Wrap up the fall season with us at November’s environmental stewardship events!

RSVP at patapsco.org/events

10/28/2024

The PaSNAPsco entry deadline is this Friday, November 1st!

Learn more about the contest and submit your photos of the Patapsco Valley at patapsco.org/attraction/pasnapsco

10/25/2024

Family Day on the Trolley Trail is this weekend! Meet us on the trail for a morning of family-friendly activities including discovering and identifying stream critters, creating nature bookmarks, and participating in scavenger hunts. And we’re excited to have Backwater Books join us with a Storybook Walk activity!

RSVP at https://ow.ly/oFVo50TTiqA

10/22/2024

PaSNAPsco photos are now on display at OCA Mocha in Arbutus, featuring contest winners from 2020 to 2023!

Learn more about our annual photo contest at patapsco.org/attraction/pasnapsco

There’s still time to enter this year’s contest—submit your photos by November 1st!

We are proud to partner with Patapsco Heritage Greenway to present these award winning photographs from the annual paSNAPsco photography contest. Each was taken within the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area during the contest year and focuses on subject matter in the following categories:

Step Back captures sites that showcase the area’s unique history.

Nature Nurtures depicts the beauty of the seasons and the area’s unique natural environment.

Main Street Moments features streetscapes, festivals, shop windows, and visitors to two of the area’s Main Streets in Catonsville and Ellicott City.

Get Out shows people enjoying recreational activities across the Patapsco Valley.

A Muse captures performances, arts and culture, arts festivals, and cultural programs.

Aspiring Photographer is a special category for students in grades K-12 encompassing the subject matter listed above.

The winners also include a Patapsco Favorite and a People’s Choice; the latter is selected via social media.

We hope these images inspire you to explore the natural beauty of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area and its many outdoor activities, museums and historic sites, arts and cultural programs, and main streets and historic areas.

10/17/2024

What is a watershed? Perhaps that question peaks your curiosity or you think you can answer what seems like a basic question but may not be so simple. Whatever your circumstance, check out our new Watershed in Time short video to learn more about watersheds and what you can do to help improve watershed health in the Patapsco and beyond. We developed two short videos with funding support from the Kahlert Foundation and are looking to expand on the topics presented to produce a more comprehensive story of watersheds using the Patapsco Valley as the focus.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch an additional ending to the video and Spanish language captions: www.youtube.com/

10/15/2024

Take a look at these photos from two fantastic water quality training events with Patapsco Valley State Park last week!

Early in the week, we trained new Maryland Conservation Corps members on measuring water quality parameters for ongoing monitoring at Woodstock. Later, we worked with Senior Rangers to demonstrate how aquatic invertebrate organisms can be used to assess water quality. The weather was beautiful and the bugs were prevalent, demonstrating the diverse and healthy aquatic community that exists at Daniels Dam.

Learn more about Patapsco Heritage Greenway’s Water Quality Monitoring Program at https://ow.ly/xVzs50TK0Ze

We offer weekday water quality monitoring volunteer opportunities—no experience needed! For more info, email Mandy at [email protected].

Or, join us on the Trolley Trail in Ellicott City for Family Day on Sunday, October 27th, featuring a stream side macroinvertebrate discovery activity! Fun for all ages! RSVP at https://ow.ly/Xbbn50TK0Zb

10/10/2024

Patapsco Heritage Greenway’s Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 is now available online!

Discover last year's highlights and accomplishments as we continue to advance our mission to preserve, protect, interpret, and restore the Patapsco Valley for all.

View the report at https://ow.ly/QPAM50TJ4Ll

10/03/2024

Join Patapsco Heritage Greenway on Sunday, October 27th for Family Day! Meet us on the Trolley Trail in Ellicott City to learn about the history and environment of the Patapsco Valley through hands-on family activities!

Learn more and register for this event at https://ow.ly/6bXM50TCcYs

10/02/2024

Agroforestry integrates trees with agriculture to create environmental, economic, and social benefits. It helps mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and provide vital habitat for wildlife.

Discover how we’re partnering with Patapsco Valley State Park, local volunteers, and organizations to plant and maintain 120 trees and shrubs like Serviceberry, Hazelnut, and American Beech Plum, bringing more native species back to the Patapsco Valley.

Read more in our new blog post: www.patapsco.org/agroforestry-a-new-and-old-way-of-tree-planting/

10/01/2024

One month left until the PaSNAPsco entry deadline!

Do you have any photos taken in the Patapsco Valley?

Submit your photos for a chance to win a cash prize and be showcased in our 2025 PaSNAPsco calendar!

The entry categories are:

STEP BACK: Capture the sites and landmarks in the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA) that highlight the region’s unique history and heritage.

NATURE NURTURES: Showcase the beauty of the Patapsco Valley through its changing seasons and natural environment.

MAIN STREET MOMENTS: Explore the Main Streets of the PVHA, including Catonsville and Ellicott City, and photograph streetscapes, visitors and local charm.

GET OUT: Photograph people enjoying outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking, and fishing set against the scenic backdrop of the Patapsco Valley.

A MUSE: Snap photos that document arts and cultural events, such as performances, art and music festivals, and cultural programs.

ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER (STUDENT): This category is dedicated to students in kindergarten to 12th grade.

Learn more about the contest and submit your photos at www.patapsco.org/attraction/pasnapsco

09/26/2024

Our fall events continue into October! Join us for stream cleanups, invasive plant removals and Family Day on the Trolley Trail. We can’t wait to see you there!

Learn more and RSVP at patapsco.org/events

09/25/2024

The Maryland 250 Commission Small Grant program has launched!

More information and applications can be found at https://mdtwofifty.maryland.gov/grants-applications/

There are three grant opportunities to apply for:
* Citizen academy grants of $500 for county and municipal citizen academies for short term programs to educate and engage citizens.

* MD Two Fifty Fellows paid internship grants with mentor stipend for up to $7,500.

* Inclusive History grants for community-centered programs, projects, events, or research, up to $4,000.

Scheduled Virtual Information Sessions:
Thursday, September 26, at 1:00pm, for the MD Two Fifty Fellows grant program
Friday, September 27 at 11:00am, for the MD Two Fifty Citizen Academy grant program

Virtual information sessions for the Inclusive History grant program will take place in late October.

Unlock opportunities for your organization with MD Two Fifty grants. Discover eligibility, deadlines, and more to join the commemoration.

09/25/2024

Administered by the Maryland Center for History and Culture, the Miller History Fund grants support projects at historical organizations.

09/19/2024

Join us next Wednesday for our annual meeting featuring guest speaker Michael O’Connor, P.E., M.ASCE on “Benjamin Henry Latrobe II and the Thomas Viaduct”.

Michael has over fifty years of experience in developing civil engineering projects, mostly working in transportation or railroads. He has taught at several engineering schools and serves as a volunteer with ABET, the engineering accreditation organization. Recently, he was part of creating a railroad history non-profit, the Frederick and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Museum. He writes extensively on civil engineering and railroad history.

The meeting is open to everyone, although only members may vote on candidates for election to the PHG board.

RSVP at https://ow.ly/ZNwg50Tr2zZ

09/17/2024

Last week, PHG and Manor Hill Tavern launched the Fall Group Programs season with Under Armour’s Green Machine Team! After a stewardship event maintaining their previously planted trees, Under Armour teammates enjoyed special access to Manor Hill’s Outdoor Beer Garden, where they relaxed with cold drinks, appetizers, and brick-oven pizza!

On behalf of everyone at PHG and Manor Hill, we are so grateful to Under Armour for their participation in our program.

Interested in a Group Programs experience for your organization? Find out more at www.patapsco.org/stewardship/partner-with-phg/

09/13/2024

Join us on Sunday, September 22nd for this upcoming partnership event with Resurrection-St. Paul School Green Thumbs! Help us clean up and remove invasive plants from Plumtree Branch, a tributary of the Patapsco River, in Ellicott City!

Learn more and RSVP at https://ow.ly/SYWX50Tn6yn

Address

3748 Old Columbia Pike
Ellicott City, MD
21043

Website

http://www.patapsco.org/

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Videos

A Watershed in Time: Exploring the Patapsco's Past, Present and Future

What is a watershed? Perhaps that question peaks your curiosity or you think you can answer what seems like a basic question but may not be so simple. Whatever your circumstance, check out our new Watershed in Time short video to learn more about watersheds and what you can do to help improve watershed health in the Patapsco and beyond. We developed two short videos with funding support from the Kahlert Foundation and are looking to expand on the topics presented to produce a more comprehensive story of watersheds using the Patapsco Valley as the focus. Visit our YouTube channel to watch an additional ending to the video and Spanish language captions: www.youtube.com/@patapscoheritagegreenway

Mayflies are one of the insects we frequently encounter during our monitoring of the Patapsco River. They spend most of their lives as an aquatic nymph and then emerge to live as a winged adult for about 24 hours. Mayflies can be distinguished from other aquatic nymphs by their three distinct tails (though some have only two) and a set of gills along the abdomen. Check out this video of a Mayfly using its gills to get dissolved oxygen from the water! Mayflies are sensitive to pollution, so their absence may be a sign that the waterway is not healthy enough to support them. We are pleased to report that we have found mayflies at many of our Patapsco River monitoring sites this spring. Stay tuned for a wrap-up post about our spring 2024 biological monitoring season!

Check out this video of a Common Watersnake spotted near the Patapsco River! Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) are found throughout Maryland. They are often mistaken for two venomous snakes: the Eastern Cottonmouth and the Eastern Copperhead. Eastern Cottonmouths (also known as Water Moccasins) do not live in Maryland. Eastern Copperheads are not aquatic and have distinctive brown “Hershey Kiss shaped” markings on their bodies. Common Watersnakes vary widely in body patterns and can have similar markings to Copperheads. In the Patapsco Valley, if you see a snake in the water, it is most likely a Common Watersnake. Although nonvenomous, they will bite if threatened. It is best practice to keep your distance and do not attempt to handle any snakes you encounter. Learn more about snakes found in Maryland, here: http://ow.ly/5a5350KbJGe

Do you want to learn more about a stream in your backyard or neighborhood? Have you wondered where it goes or if there are any water quality issues? There are a few free resources that can answer your questions and help you learn more about your local waterways. “How’s My Waterway” is a resource created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help provide the public with information on the condition of local waterways. Begin by entering your zip code or location. “How’s Your Waterway” will display data that has been gathered about the waterways within your local watershed, including the condition and any identified issues. Check out this resource, here: https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/hows-my-waterway The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) “Science in Your Watershed” is a web resource that helps users find scientific information about watersheds in their region. Explore this resource, here: https://water.usgs.gov/wsc/map_index.html

Mayflies are found throughout North America. They spend most of their lives as aquatic insects and need healthy waterways to survive. Because they are sensitive to pollution, they are considered a bioindicator species and can help determine the health of the water from which they are found. In the Patapsco watershed, we've spent April and May visiting local streams sites and looking for sensitive organisms like these. Check out this short video of two different types of mayflies that we collected. In addition to a head, three sets of legs, and three tails, one key characteristic of mayflies is the gills along the abdomen. Mayflies use the gills to fan water (and dissolved oxygen) into their bodies. Look for the gills moving on the smaller of the two!