Preserve America Stewards
Preserve America Stewards is a designation program that recognizes programs that have demonstrated a successful use of volunteer time and commitment in order to help care for our historic heritage.
Designation recognizes programs of organizations and agencies that:
- provide volunteers with opportunities to contribute in direct and tangible ways to the preservation, protection, and promotion of historic properties;
- address an otherwise unfilled need in heritage preservation through the use of volunteer efforts; and
- demonstrate innovative and creative use of volunteer assistance in areas such as youth involvement, volunteer training, public education, and public/private partnerships.
Benefits of designation include:
- a letter of designation from First Lady Michelle Obama;
- a certificate of recognition signed by the First Lady;
- authorization to use the Preserve America logo in public outreach and promotional activities;
- listing in a Web-based Preserve America Stewards directory;
- publicity in the Preserve America e-newsletter.
Non-profit organizations, government entities (federal, state, local, or tribal), and businesses are eligible to seek designation for their programs. Four application and designation cycles occur each year, with application deadlines on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. To apply, submit the Preserve America Stewards Application (pdf) (doc).
Twenty-one Preserve America Stewards have been officially designated and recognized for their exemplary volunteer efforts to care for historic resources around the country since the program was announced in 2008. They are the following:
Arizona
Kaibab Vermilion Cliffs Heritage Alliance
Alaska
Alutiiq Museum
California
Monterey State Historic Park
Colorado
Chimney Rock Interpretive Association
San Juan Mountains Association
Hawaii
The Friends of 'Iolani Palace
Illinois
Pleasant Home Foundation
Indiana
Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County
Kansas
Glasco Community Foundation
Maine
Maine Maritime Museum
Maryland
United States Lighthouse Society
Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fell's Point
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Sandy Spring Lodge #6430
Massachusetts
Thacher Island Association
Michigan
DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society
Nationwide
Passport in Time (PIT) Program
Nevada
Southern Nevada Agency Partnership & Public Lands Institute, UNLV
New Jersey
InfoAge Science-History Center
New Mexico
Cornerstones Community Partnerships
New Mexico SiteWatch
Valles Caldera National Preserve
New York
Bateaux Below, Inc.
Museum at Eldridge Street
Ohio
Oberlin Heritage Center
Olmsted Historical Society
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
Independence National Historical Park
Texas
Texas Historical Commission
Virginia
Fairfield Foundation
Updated August 15, 2010