Approximately 3,000 miles of Washington’s saltwater coastline could soon become a crucial element in telling the state’s story and its residents’ connection to the water.

In January, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation will work with coastal communities along Washington’s coast, from Grays Harbor County up to the Canadian border, to plan the formation of a new National Heritage Area focused entirely on Washington’s maritime heritage. 

The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area will focus on building partnerships to preserve and share the stories and history of Washington’s waters. 

There’s a local connection, obviously. And the Northwest Maritime Center, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Jefferson County Historical Museum and Port Townsend Public Library have all been listed as potential partners, according to a feasibility study for the project. 

Throughout the coming year, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation will collaborate with communities within the National Heritage Area to begin shaping what the area will entail. 

Through the first half of 2021, the public will have multiple opportunities to share ideas and opinions on the project through surveys, virtual workshops, social media, focus groups and more. 

Organizers hope to use such collaborations to form a management plan which will guide the formation of the heritage area’s mission, partnerships, programming, interpretive strategies, grant-making and more. 

The Washington Trust hopes to present a draft of the plan for public review by late fall 2021. 

For more information on the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, visit www.
preservewa.org/mwnha. 

The first public virtual info session about the area will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. 

Those who wish to participate in the event can sign up at www.preservewa.org/mwnha-events.