Mission

The Evergreen Heritage Center (EHC), a 131-acre Allegany County farm established during the Revolutionary War, is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties, is part of Maryland’s Rural Legacy area for its historic and cultural significance and is protected under a conservation easement as part of its commitment to “living off the land” while preserving it for future generations. The EHC Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) public charity, was founded in 2008 to utilize this Maryland treasure to provide hands-on enrichment programs in a Maryland county where the average household income is only 56% of that of Maryland overall and 75% of its children qualify for food assistance. To pursue its mission, the Foundation and its academic, business, and public service partners offer multiple award-winning programs for the benefit of the community. These impactful enrichment programs as well as its three heritage tourism museums (farmhouse, barn, and 100-year-old coal mining camp) serve 18,500 annually.

Awards

2015 Richard A. Johnson Award for excellence in education

2015 Maryland Sustainable Growth Award for preservation and conservation

2016 Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurship Award for collaboration

2018 Citation from the Maryland House of Delegates for innovation and dedication

2019 Rural Impact Award for Outstanding Community Development

2020 Best of Maryland Stewardship Award

2020 COVID Response Award

2021 Maryland Green Center designation as a model for environmental education

2023 Outstanding Contributions to Civic Engagement

2024 AmeriCorps NCCC Southern Region New Sponsor of the Year

2024 Community Development Network of Maryland Innovation Award

A group of children playing with magnifying glasses.
A group of people standing in an enclosed area.
A group of people walking on the grass near trees.