WGPF: Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program

The WGPF: Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program celebrates and promotes local folklore, legends, and folklife as vital aspects of cultural heritage. Targeted at 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities across 14 US states, it aims to enhance cultural tourism by commemorating community stories. Successful applications typically focus on folktales, historical legends, and community traditions, while excluding purely literary works or personal folklore that lacks broader community significance.

This program commemorates folktales, legends and folklife as an important part of every community’s cultural heritage.
Does your community have a great piece of folklore that should be shared? Legends & Lore is designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as part of our heritage.
Generally speaking, folklore is the stories, customs, traditions, and expressive arts and crafts that are passed on from one person to another, often from generation to generation. Folklore is the knowledge that people share as members of a group or community.
Legends & Folklore Guidelines
Successful Legends & Lore marker applications typically fall within three main categories:
Folktale- Fictional stories passed down about people or events not proven to have existed. (e.g. Thirteen Curves, Champy, Headless Horseman, Tramping Ground)
Legends- Stories passed down that are popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable. (e.g. John Henry, Grancer’s Ghost, Betsy’s Ride, Natty Bumppo, “Natty Bumppo”)
Folklife- Traditions such as music, skills, crafts, and events passed along within a community. Often involving real people that can be verified with primary sources. (e.g. “Goose Day,” The Arborglyphs, Dennis McGee, Herbs & Healing, Folk Singer)
Subjects which are not successful include:

• Historical events lacking a folkloric aspectPurely literary creationsPersonal/family folklore which does not extend to the greater community

Eligibility

Legend & Lore grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and local, state and federal government entities within the United States.Please note that Legends & Lore is currently available in the following 14 states:  Alabama, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia. Check back regularly for program availability in your state.

Ineligibility

Subjects which are not successful include:Historical events lacking a folkloric aspectLegendary or famous persons lacking a folkloric aspect to the storyPurely literary creationsPersonal/family folklore which does not extend to the greater community