Preserve America News from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Contents:
President Bush Requests $10 Million for Preserve America Grants
President George W. Bush's budget request for FY 2008, which begins Oct. 1, 2007, includes $10 million for the Preserve America Grant program, up from $5 million in the 2006 enacted budget. The request also proposes $63.7 million for Historic Preservation Fund programs and increases funding levels for other existing preservation programs and initiatives. For more details of the President's FY 2008 budget regarding historic preservation, click here.
Preserve America Communities Now in 49 States
In January 2007, Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of the Preserve America initiative, sent out 31 letters notifying the latest additions to the nation's Preserve America Community program of their designations. There are now 458 designated communities in 49 states. Only Nebraska does not yet have a designated community. There also is a Preserve America Community in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Other U.S. territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico so far have no designated communities or neighborhoods. For details on how to join the ranks of designated communities and the benefits of doing so, click here.
Preserve America Summit Priority Recommendations
At its winter business meeting Feb. 22-23, 2007 in Washington, D.C., the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) agreed on a set of preliminary priority recommendations from the Preserve America Summit from October 2006 in New Orleans that are intended to advance the national historic preservation program 40 years after passage of the National Historic Preservation Act. The ACHP evaluated more than 60 ideas that emerged from the nearly 500 attendees during the Summit process. For more details, click here.
Southeastern Colorado Preserve America Grant Featured in Historic Preservation Fund Annual Report 2006
One of the 68 Preserve America Grants presented in 2006 was highlighted in the National Park Service's "40 Years: The Historic Preservation Fund Annual Report 2006." The $130,000 matching grant, secured by Colorado Preservation Inc. and the Colorado Historical Society, goes to a partnership among several counties to develop a regional heritage tourism marketing program. To see the full story as well as the entire publication, click here. (PDF)
National Park Service Travel Itineraries Now Feature Preserve America Communities
The National Park Service's (NPS) Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itineraries received honors from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in February for a new feature which encourages heritage tourists to visit Preserve America Communities.
(For more information on the award, click here.) The NPS promotes heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation in communities throughout the nation via the online Travel Itinerary series. There are now 43 itineraries on the NPS site showcasing almost 1,900 historic places. For details, click here.
Senior Policy Officials Meet to Advance Preserve America Executive Order
Senior Policy Officials (SPO) met in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Feb. 21, 2007 to discuss the findings and recommendations made in the ACHP's 2006 Section 3 report to the President. It offered the officials a chance to engage in a discussion about how the ACHP might address these recommendations. 
Section 3 of Executive Order 13287 requires real property managing agencies to submit a triennial report on their progress in identifying, protecting, and using historic properties in their ownership. To learn more, click here.
More Proof Preserve America Communities Are Distinctive
The National Trust for Historic Preservation annually highlights special places to visit by listing them on its "Dozen Distinctive Destinations." For 2007, three of the 12 places not to be missed are Preserve America Communities—Durango, Colorado; Providence, Rhode Island; and Mineral Point, Wisconsin. To learn more about the 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, click here.
Save Our History Seeks Applications for Grants
Applications are now being accepted for the History Channel's Save Our History grants programs which total $250,000. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to history organizations, historical societies, libraries, archives, and nonprofit organizations who partner with schools and/or youth groups on projects that teach students about their local history and actively engage them in its preservation. There is also a grant program for teachers aimed at history-oriented education. June 1, 2007 is the application deadline. For more information, click here.
Attention All Preserve America Communities: Send New Contact Information to the ACHP
Have there been any changes in your contact information since you first applied for your Community designation? If so, please e-mail updated information to Judy Rodenstein (jrodenstein@achp.gov). This includes new chief elected officials, an office move to a new address, new contact people, a change in e-mail addresses or phone numbers.
An independent federal agency, the ACHP promotes the educational, economic, and cultural value of historic preservation, and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy. It also influences federal activities, programs, and policies that affect historic and cultural properties. The ACHP has a key role in carrying out the Administration's Preserve America initiative. To learn more about the ACHP, visit www.achp.gov
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