In this Issue

	Preserve America Grant Funding Moving Through Congress
	Preserve America Grants Effectiveness Study
	Kickoff Service Learning Project a Success
	Lac du Flambeau Band Recognition
	Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit
	Preserve America at the National Trust
	Developing the Next Generation of Heritage Stewards

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Preserve America News |July  2009

Preserve America Grant Funding Moving Through Congress

Just before the Fourth of July recess, Congress took important action to move forward federal historic preservation funding for the next fiscal year. The House provided $6.175 million for the Preserve America Grant program for Fiscal Year 2010, which begins Oct. 1, 2009. The Senate took a more restrictive approach to all historic preservation funding, endorsing the President's $3.175 million recommendation for the grants.

The $3.175 million would cover the projects recommended for funding in 2009 but for which no money was available. The additional $3 million in the House version would provide additional funds for another grant round next year. Read more.

Preserve America Grants Effectiveness Study

The ACHP has released the report “Preserve America Grants: Assessment of Effectiveness” for Congress and the general public. This report was prepared in response to a request by the Committee on Appropriations after the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations did not include funding for Preserve America Grants. The report determines the Preserve America Grants program is effective in addressing many state and local heritage tourism needs, despite its short existence and a relatively small federal investment. Read background on the report and related case studies. The National Park Service grants Web site  has information about the specifics of the Preserve America Grant program.

Grafton Willard House wayfinding sign Massachusetts

Kickoff Service Learning Project a Success

Of the Student, By the Student, For the Student, a service learning project created by students of the Harpers Ferry Middle School to present the story of the John Brown Raid to other youths during the 150th anniversary of the raid, was presented to the public for the first time on June 25.

The students conceived and created six vodcasts that interpret the history of the John Brown Raid from their perspectives. These will be used by the National Park Service and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership to help educate visitors to the region to the significance of the John Brown Raid. The videos are also available on YouTube. Read more.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget in the Department of the Interior Robert Stanton speaks to the audience June 25 at the unveiling.

Lac du Flambeau Band Recognition

At a ceremony on June 19, ACHP Chairman John L. Nau, III recognized the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin as a Preserve America Community. The Lac Du Flambeau band is the third Indian tribe or band to be designated a Preserve America Community. Read more.

Lac du Flambeau Bear River Pow Wow

Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit

Colorado youth had the opportunity to directly influence policy for tourism, public lands and archaeology in early June through the 2009 Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit. The summit was sponsored by Colorado Preservation, Inc., the Colorado statewide preservation nonprofit organization. More than 100 students and teachers spent three days touring historic properties, exploring how they believe youth could be more engaged in archaeology, cultural resources and tourism.

This year, students visited sites in southwest Colorado, including Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Anasazi Heritage Center and Mesa Verde National Park. Students presented their findings at the end of the summit to officials from the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Historical Society, Colorado Tourism Office, National Park Service, United States Forest Service, and other federal, state and local officials. 

Mesa Verde National Park

Preserve America at the National Trust

Attention Preserve America Communities, Grant recipients, Stewards, and other interested parties! You are invited to share information and ideas on best practices, networking needs, and the future of the Preserve America program at a session at the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual conference Oct. 14 in Nashville, Tenn. For more information on this session contact Judy Rodenstein at the ACHP. For conference information contact the National Trust.

Developing the Next Generation of Heritage Stewards

Ever wonder how to pass on a preservation ethic to the next generation? Summertime is an excellent time for students to get to know their local historic resources and become involved in caring for them. Some Preserve America Communities have found creative ways to integrate summer youth programs with historic preservation and heritage education. Read about programs in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Oregon.

If there is an innovative summer youth program in your Preserve America Community, please share it with us. Contact Raina Regan at the ACHP.

New Harmony's Archicamp