2576                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 500

Maryland from earliest times, to encourage others to do so and to
promote and develop an educational program to arouse and maintain
public interest in historic sites and areas. In order to carry
out these purposes more effectively, to prepare and adopt a
comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan, and to obtain
financial assistance, the trustees may accept and receive funds,
grants, and services from the federal government or its agencies,
from departments, agencies and instrumentalities of State or
local government, or from private civic sources.

(c)  To acquire and hold real and personal property of
historic, aesthetic or cultural significance, by gift, purchase,
devise, bequest, or by any other means, with the approval of the
Board of Public Works or its designee prior to the acquisition,
and to preserve and administer in such properties; to charge
reasonable admission fees to such properties and to determine
which of such properties are deserving of State financial aid. In
the acquisition of such properties, to acquire property adjacent
thereto deemed necessary for the proper use and administration of
historic, aesthetic or cultural property.

(d)  To accept gifts, legacies, bequests and endowments for
any purpose which falls within that of the Trust and unless
otherwise specified by the person making the gift, legacy,
bequest, or endowment, the trustees may expend both principal and
income of any such gift, bequest, legacy, or endowment of money
in furtherance of the Trust or, with the consent of the Treasurer
of the State, invest the same in whole or in part in general
obligations of the State of Maryland, or other securities, in
furtherance of the Trust.

(e)  To apply all monies, assets, property or other things
of value it may receive as an incident to its operation to the
general purpose of the Trust.

(f)  To designate historic sites and areas on the basis of
the following criteria: Historical and cultural significance;
suitability for preservation; educational value; cost of
acquisition, restoration, maintenance and repair; appraised
value; and administrative responsibility of the sponsoring group
or individual; and to prepare regulations amplifying the
foregoing criteria.

(g)  To contract for services with, cooperate with and
otherwise assist, consistent with Article 21, any agency of the
State of Maryland or any of its political subdivisions, and any
private agency or person in furtherance of the purpose of the
Trust and to encourage individual and community plans and zoning
ordinances relating to the restoration, preservation, alteration
and/or development of designated sites and areas particularly
within the provisions of Article 66B, §§ 8.01 through 8.15 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland.

(h) To take any action necessary and proper to effectuate
the powers expressly conferred by this subtitle.