National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation magazine.

Its mission statement states:

"The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Save America’s Treasures office is now closed. Congress did not fund the Save America’s Treasures program in 2011 and has no plans to fund it in the future.[1]

Contents

History

In 1947, a meeting convened by David E. Finley, Jr. culminated in the creation of the National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings. This group was able to obtain the congressional charter for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which President Harry S. Truman signed on October 26, 1949. Finley served as the National Trust's first chairman of the board, remaining in the position for 12 years.[2]

National Trust Historic Sites

Twenty-nine sites are designated as National Trust Historic Sites. Most are owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and operated by other non-profit organizations (e.g., Farnsworth House); some are not owned by the Trust but are still operated by the Trust (e.g., President Lincoln's Cottage); some are owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (e.g., Drayton Hall); and some are owned and operated by other non-profit organizations and hold a long-term cooperative agreement with the National Trust for Historic Preservation (e.g., Lower East Side Tenement Museum). These sites currently include:

National Trust Main Street Center

The National Trust Main Street Center leads a coast-to-coast movement of 1,200 state, regional, and local programs, linked through a preservation-based strategy for rebuilding downtown areas. The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a community-driven, comprehensive strategy used to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts throughout the United States.

Historic Hotels of America

The National Trust has also compiled a list of hotels registered as "Historic Hotels of America" [1] because they are at least 50 years old and have faithfully maintained their historic character and ambiance.

National Trust Community Investment Corporation

National Trust Community Investment Corporation better known as "NTCIC", the for-profit subsidiary of the National Trust, makes equity investments in real estate projects that qualify for federal historic tax credits and when available, state historic and New Markets Tax Credits.

"America's 11 Most Endangered Places"

Each year since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has compiled a list of "America's 11 Most Endangered Places" in an effort to protect America's architectural, cultural, and natural heritage.

2010 Places

In April 2010, the trust announced its list of 11 most endangered places to be:

2009 Places

In 2009 the 11 most endangered places were:[3] [4] [5]

Previous endangered places

In recent, previous years, this list has included:

See also

References

  1. ^ Save America’s Treasures website
  2. ^ Young, Dwight (November/December 2006). "Finley Was There: Recalling an arts leader". Preservaton: pp. 64 
  3. ^ Deb Krajnak (April 28, 2009). "11 sites make new list of 'endangered historic places'". CNN.com /US. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/28/endangered.places/. 
  4. ^ Steve Vogel (April 28, 2009). "Preservation Group Lists 11 Sites in Need". Wall Street Journal. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/27/AR2009042703566.html?hpid=moreheadlines. 
  5. ^ Robin Pogrebin (April 27, 2009). "Preservation Group Lists Most Endangered Places". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/arts/design/28enda.html. 

External links