US House Supports Local National Heritage Area

Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area to Include Medford, Neighboring Communities

Medford is one of the local historic communities that will be featured in the new national heritage area.

– Allison Goldsberry

Congressman Ed Markey (D-Malden) announced today that the House of Representatives has passed a bill to create the “Freedom’s Way” National Heritage Area in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to highlight the area’s role in the American Revolution.

The new heritage area will include Medford, Malden, and Arlington, as well as forty other communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

According to the National Heritage section of the National Park Service website, national heritage areas are geographically distinctive areas designated by Congress that tell “nationally important stories” about America through their natural, historic, and cultural resources.

National heritage areas have access to assistance and limited financial and technical support from the National Park Service. The land is locally-managed and is not owned by the National Park Service. The goal of the designation is to help communities better preserve these areas and increase cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities.

Rep. Markey has supported the legislation and helped push it through the House. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.

According to Rep. Markey’s office, Senator John Kerry has sponsored similar legislation, S. 827, which is currently being reviewed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.