The National Heritage Area Program was established as an alternative to the traditional National Park System — one that preserves the economic benefits of national parks while avoiding federal land ownership. National heritage areas are managed by nonprofit organizations rather than the federal government. They cannot own private property, and property owners may only partner with a heritage area through written consent. Additionally, heritage areas have no authority to impose land-use controls or interfere with hunting and fishing rights.
Freedom’s Frontier was designated as a national heritage area by Congress in 2006 to foster economic development and tourism in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. This regional, grassroots initiative covers a unique physical and cultural landscape across 41 counties and 31,000 square miles. FFNHA achieves its goals by partnering with local organizations that promote three diverse, interwoven, and nationally significant stories: frontier settlement; the Missouri-Kansas Border War and Civil War; and enduring, fundamental questions about civil rights. We seek to bring together people interested in the region’s past, present, and future and work together toward mutual goals.
The FFNHA region includes 29 Kansas counties (Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clay, Coffey, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson, Woodson, and Wyandotte) and 12 counties in western Missouri (Barton, Bates, Buchanan, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte, Ray, St. Clair, and Vernon).
While discussing a recent proposal to establish Florida Springs National Park in central and north Florida, some residents who opposed federal land ownership favored national heritage area designation instead. Haley Mooy, director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, explained, “The National Park Service doesn’t assume any ownership of the land inside a national heritage area or impose any land use controls. And, so, this is really a way for us to get our message out about protecting the aquifer and protecting our springs and ultimately our drinking water through an education campaign.”¹
FFNHA inspires respect for multiple perspectives and empowers area residents to preserve and share these stories, achieving its goals through interpretation, preservation, conservation, and education for all residents and visitors. It is one of 62 federally recognized national heritage areas across the United States.
1. Julie Garisto and Mark Harper, “A Fine idea? U.S. Rep. Fine discusses proposed Florida National Springs Park study,” Ocala StarBanner, Sept. 15, 2025. URL.
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) builds awareness of struggles for freedom in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Established by Congress in 2006, FFNHA covers a unique physical and cultural landscape across 41 counties and 31,000 square miles. It promotes three diverse, interwoven, and nationally significant stories: frontier settlement, the Missouri-Kansas Border War and Civil War, and enduring civil rights disputes. FFNHA inspires respect for multiple perspectives and empowers area residents to preserve and share these stories, achieving its goals through interpretation, preservation, conservation, and education for all residents and visitors. It is one of 62 federally recognized national heritage areas across the United States.
