Chestertown National Historic Landmark District.

Most preservation activity takes place at the local level—for example, when a neighborhood seeks local designation to protect community character, or when a local advocacy group works with a city government and private developers to find the best solution for a beloved landmark building. The Certified Local Government program recognizes counties and municipalities that have made a special commitment to preservation. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, establishing a qualified historic preservation commission to designate and review historic properties. For information about the CLG program and certification requirements, consult the CLG procedures manual.

Maryland's CLG program is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust in partnership with the National Park Service. CLG programs exist in every state and are supported through the federal Historic Preservation Fund. MHT awards 10% of its annual allocation from the Historic Preservation Fund to CLG projects and educational opportunities each year, with applications available in February. For more information about CLG grants, consult the most recent grant guidelines.

MHT also partners with the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions (MAHDC) to provide training programs for CLGs and other local governments.