Senators Markey, Warren and Rep. Trahan Introduce Legislation to Protect the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area – Ed Markey

Washington(December 8, 2021) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senator ElizabethWarren (D-Mass.), and Representative Lori Trahan (MA-03) today introduced theFreedoms Way National Heritage Area Act of 2021, legislation that wouldeliminate the total funding cap for the Freedoms Way National Heritage Areaand extend its authorization to 2036.The Freedoms Way National HeritageArea spans 994 square miles and encompasses 45 communities in Massachusetts andNew Hampshire.

Designatedby Congress in 2009, the Freedoms Way National Heritage Area protects andeducates visitors about the region where the American Revolution began. Undercurrent law, authorization for the Freedoms Way National Heritage Area willexpire on September 30, 2024, if Congress does not act to extend Freedoms WayNational Heritage Areas ability to receive federal money.

FromMinute Man National Historical Park to theLeominster State Forest and Ralph Waldo Emerson House, the Freedoms WayNational Heritage Area preserves the regions rich history, natural beauty, andrevolutionary ideas, said Senator Markey. This legislation will ensurethat Massachusetts residents and visitors are able to explore the livinghistory in Freedoms Way National Heritage Area for years to come.

TheFreedom's Way National Heritage Area stretches across communities inMassachusetts and encompasses rich culture, history, and scenic landscapes. I'mglad to support this legislation so that our communities and future generationscan continue to enjoy the treasures of Freedom's Way National Heritage Area, saidSenator Warren.

"Somany have benefited from the Freedoms Way National Heritage Areas beauty andhistory particularly Minute Man National Historical Park, a Third Districtgem, said Congresswoman Trahan. With funding set to expirein 2024, its imperative that we act swiftly to ensure communities across theregion can continue enjoying all the Heritage Area has to offer, from the OxbowNational Wildlife Refuge to Walden Pondand beyond. Byextending itsability to receive federal funding, this legislation will protect Freedoms WayNational Heritage Area for generations to come.

Acopy of the legislation can be found HERE.

Sincethe approval of its management plan by the Secretary of the Interior in July of2015, the Freedoms Way National Heritage Area has accessed more than$1,600,000 in federal financial assistance and leveraged $1.95 of non-federalmatch for every dollar of financial assistance accessed. With this funding, theFreedoms Way Heritage Associationthe coordinating entity for the heritageareahas collaborated with nearly 1,300 partners on preservation, conservation,and educational programs and projects across the region.

Tothe Townsend Historical Society and many other small-town museums in ourregion, Freedoms Way National Heritage Area has been a truly valued partner inhistoric preservation. Their team has provided crucial support to a wide rangeof projects including the restoration of unique historic structures and fundingreenactments and other educational and entertaining events which help so muchto inspire an interest amongst our audiences in honoring and protecting thepast, said Taber Morrell, Site Administrator, Townsend Historical Society.

TheConcord Museum is honored to partner with Freedoms Way National Heritage Areato bring both iconic and previously hidden figures of the towns long historyto life. With support from Freedoms Way the museum has offered anexhibition on Paul Revere, virtual field trips for students across the HeritageArea and country, free walking tours for the public, a series of filmscreenings on the Museums front lawn, a free education program on IndigenousPeoples Day, and an exhibition on William Brewster in Concord. We lookforward to continuing to work with Freedoms Way and heartily support itsreauthorization and continued funding to support its extremely important andtransformative efforts, said Tom Putnam, Edward W. Kane ExecutiveDirector, Concord Museum.

TheFreedoms Way National Heritage Area is a region of firsts in Americaninvention, thought, and design. It is home to visionaries and experimenters whohave been at the forefront of social, intellectual, and cultural innovationsthat have shaped the way Americans view the world. The ReauthorizationLegislation assures their uniquely American stories will continue to be shared,providing inspiration for future generations, said Patrice Todisco,Executive Director, Freedoms Way National Heritage Area.

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Originally posted here:

Senators Markey, Warren and Rep. Trahan Introduce Legislation to Protect the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area - Ed Markey