Historic Preservation Fund

Historic Preservation Fund. The Historic Preservation Fund is a federal program established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, with the goal of preserving and protecting the nation's historic and cultural resources, including those listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fund is administered by the National Park Service and provides grants to State Historic Preservation Officers and other organizations to support historic preservation efforts, such as those undertaken by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Society of Newport County. The Historic Preservation Fund has played a crucial role in preserving historic sites, including the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, and Monticello, which are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Introduction

The Historic Preservation Fund was created to provide financial assistance to historic preservation projects and initiatives across the United States, with a focus on preserving historic buildings, landscapes, and cultural resources, such as the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site. The fund supports a wide range of activities, including historic building restoration, archaeological research, and cultural resource management, as conducted by organizations like the Society for American Archaeology and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The Historic Preservation Fund has also provided funding for historic preservation projects in National Parks, such as Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park, which are managed by the National Park Service. Additionally, the fund has supported the work of Historic New England and the National Association of Historic District Commissions.

History

The Historic Preservation Fund was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act created the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and authorized the National Park Service to administer the Historic Preservation Fund, with input from the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the American Historical Association. The fund has undergone several changes and amendments since its establishment, including the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1976 and the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1992, which were signed into law by President Jimmy Carter and President George H.W. Bush, respectively. The Historic Preservation Fund has also been influenced by the work of notable preservationists, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who were instrumental in the preservation of historic sites like the White House and the Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historical Park.

Funding

The Historic Preservation Fund is funded through an annual appropriation from Congress, with the amount of funding varying from year to year, as determined by the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The fund has received support from a range of organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Preservation Action Council, and the American Institute of Architects, as well as from individuals like David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin. The Historic Preservation Fund has also partnered with other federal agencies, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, to support historic preservation projects and initiatives, including those undertaken by the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress.

Eligibility_and_Allocation

The Historic Preservation Fund provides grants to State Historic Preservation Officers and other organizations, including Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and Local Governments, to support historic preservation projects and initiatives, such as those undertaken by the National Association of County Officials and the United States Conference of Mayors. The fund also provides funding for historic preservation projects in National Parks, as well as for the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Taliesin West and the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Central Park. The allocation of funds is based on a formula that takes into account the number of historic properties in each state, as well as the state's population and economic need, as determined by the United States Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Projects_and_Initiatives

The Historic Preservation Fund has supported a wide range of historic preservation projects and initiatives, including the restoration of historic buildings, such as the White House and the United States Capitol, and the preservation of historic landscapes, such as the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The fund has also supported archaeological research and cultural resource management projects, such as those undertaken by the Society for American Archaeology and the American Cultural Resources Association. Additionally, the Historic Preservation Fund has provided funding for historic preservation education and training programs, such as those offered by the National Preservation Institute and the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, as well as for the development of historic preservation plans and policies, such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Impact_and_Outcomes

The Historic Preservation Fund has had a significant impact on the preservation of historic and cultural resources in the United States, with thousands of historic properties preserved and protected through funding provided by the program, including the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, and Monticello. The fund has also supported the development of historic preservation plans and policies, such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, which have helped to ensure the long-term preservation of historic and cultural resources, as recognized by organizations like the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works and the International Council on Monuments and Sites. The Historic Preservation Fund has also provided funding for historic preservation education and training programs, which have helped to build the capacity of historic preservation professionals and organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Society of Newport County. Overall, the Historic Preservation Fund has played a critical role in preserving the nation's historic and cultural heritage, as acknowledged by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who have been strong supporters of historic preservation efforts, including those undertaken by the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution. Category:Historic preservation