Summer 2006
Tourism News

Partners in Tourism: Culture and Commerce is a coalition of cultural service organizations, the travel industry, and federal agencies that provides a forum for collaborative research, education, promotion and advocacy with the common goal of advancing the role of culture and heritage in the travel and tourism industry.

8th Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance Conference Set
November 8-11, 2006

Culture is the Spark is the theme of the 8th Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance Conference set for November 8-11 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Click Here for more information.

Cultural Heritage Tourism News is published by

© 2005 Partners in Tourism: Culture and Commerce

Editor: Carolyn Brackett

Assistant Editors: Kimber Craine, Verna Romero & Amy Webb

GOT NEWS? Send program updates, new initiatives and case studies to cht@nthp.org

Update on Preserve America Grants

On March 9th, First Lady Laura Bush announced the first round of Preserve America Grants, totaling nearly $3.5 million, in a ceremony held on Capitol Hill. The event was hosted by the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus co-chairs Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio and Rep. Brad Miller of North Carolina. Then Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and John L. Nau, III, Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and Co-Chair of the Preserve America Steering Committee, accompanied Mrs. Bush at the event.

The first round of Preserve America grants provided $3.5 million for 45 projects in 28 states representing all regions of the country. This new program provides funds on a matching basis to assist Preserve America communities with marketing, planning, and educational efforts associated with protection and appropriate use of community heritage. A full list of funded projects is available at http://www.preserveamerica.gov/list-0309.html.

Nearly 80 applications were submitted by the May 19 deadline for the second round of FY2006 Preserve America grant funding. These applications are currently under review. A total of $1.5 million will be awarded later this summer.

Preserve America grants offer a new type of competitive historic preservation funding focused on encouraging States, Indian tribes, and communities to realize the potential of their heritage resources as both educational and economic assets that can benefit the American public. In particular, these grants support community efforts to demonstrate sustainable uses of historic and cultural sites, and help communities take advantage of economic and educational opportunities related to heritage tourism.  As Americans and international visitors travel, they seek authentic experiences allowing them to personally connect with our nation’s rich history and diverse culture. The Preserve America grants help communities meet this growing demand for heritage tourism while enhancing the quality of life for local residents.

Preserve America grants complement and enhance “bricks and mortar” rehabilitation or restoration grants by encouraging a comprehensive approach to historic preservation. Using Preserve America funding, communities can plan for  “bricks and mortar” projects, bring them greater recognition, and integrate them as part of an overall heritage program.

Research, planning, marketing programs, training, and interpretive/educational initiatives are the types of activities encouraged by these grants. Some examples of projects that can be funded include: a feasibility study for reuse of an historic building as a tourist information center; a statewide or local heritage tourism development plan; development of an annual cultural heritage celebration; start-up support and a destination marketing program for a summer living-history camp at an historic site; development of interpretive materials such as signage, brochures and itineraries; or creation of curricula or other educational materials focused on local historic sites.

These grants are available to designated Preserve America communities, Certified Local Governments that are applying for Preserve America Community designation, and State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. Targeting funds to Preserve America Communities enhances the effective use of the funds, since designation demonstrates the presence of important historic resources in the community, solid potential for their reuse, and community commitment to historic preservation. Preserve America grants are administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Administration’s primary partners in Preserve America. President Bush’s FY 2007 budget proposes $10 million to help local economies find self-sustaining ways to manage historic properties and promote heritage tourism through Preserve America grants. Application deadlines will be announced and forms made available once Congress makes a decision about next year’s appropriation.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local par­ticipation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

More information on all aspects of Preserve America can be found at www.PreserveAmerica.gov. Grant information is also available at www.cr.nps.gov/hps/hpg/preserveamerica.