Save America's Treasures

Save America's Treasures
Name	Save America's Treasures
Formation	1998
Founder	Hillary Clinton, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Purpose	Preservation of historic sites and artifacts

Save America's Treasures is a public-private partnership program established in 1998 by Hillary Clinton and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve and protect historic sites, buildings, and artifacts in the United States. The program aims to recognize and support the conservation of the country's most significant cultural and historic treasures, such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Vernon, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. In collaboration with organizations like the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Library of Congress, Save America's Treasures works to safeguard the nation's rich cultural heritage, including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. The program also partners with institutions like the National Archives and Records Administration and the National Endowment for the Arts to promote historic preservation and education.

Introduction

The Save America's Treasures program was launched in response to the growing concern about the deterioration and loss of historic sites and artifacts in the United States. The program's establishment was supported by prominent figures like Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and Ted Kennedy, who recognized the importance of preserving the nation's cultural heritage. The program's goals are aligned with those of organizations like the National Historic Preservation Act, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the International Council on Monuments and Sites. Save America's Treasures also collaborates with state and local preservation organizations, such as the California State Historic Preservation Office and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, to identify and preserve historic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Alamo.

History

The Save America's Treasures program has its roots in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which established the National Register of Historic Places and provided funding for historic preservation projects. The program gained momentum in the 1990s, with the support of First Lady Hillary Clinton and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program's launch was also influenced by the White House Millennium Council, which aimed to promote historic preservation and cultural heritage conservation in the lead-up to the Millennium Celebrations. Save America's Treasures has since become a leading program in the field of historic preservation, working with organizations like the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art to preserve and promote the nation's cultural heritage.

Program Overview

The Save America's Treasures program provides grants and funding to support the preservation of historic sites, buildings, and artifacts. The program is administered by the National Park Service and the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and other organizations. The program's scope includes historic sites like the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Save America's Treasures also supports the preservation of historic artifacts, such as the Wright Brothers' Flyer and the Apollo 11 Command Module, which are housed in institutions like the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History.

Grants and Funding

The Save America's Treasures program provides grants to support historic preservation projects, such as the restoration of the Fenway Park and the Wrigley Field. The program's funding is provided by the National Park Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, and private donors like the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The program also partners with state and local governments, such as the California State Legislature and the New York City Council, to provide funding for historic preservation projects. Save America's Treasures has supported projects like the restoration of the United States Capitol and the White House, as well as the preservation of historic sites like the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Notable Projects

The Save America's Treasures program has supported a wide range of historic preservation projects, including the restoration of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. The program has also provided funding for the preservation of historic sites like the Monticello, the Mount Vernon, and the Biltmore Estate. Save America's Treasures has supported the conservation of cultural artifacts, such as the Mona Lisa and the Star-Spangled Banner, which are housed in institutions like the Louvre and the National Museum of American History. The program has also partnered with organizations like the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian to promote the preservation of diverse cultural heritage.

Impact and Legacy

The Save America's Treasures program has had a significant impact on the preservation of historic sites and artifacts in the United States. The program has provided funding for over 1,000 historic preservation projects, including the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and the Lincoln Memorial. Save America's Treasures has also raised awareness about the importance of historic preservation, partnering with organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Action Council to promote the conservation of cultural heritage. The program's legacy can be seen in the preservation of historic sites like the Grand Canyon National Park and the Yellowstone National Park, as well as the conservation of cultural artifacts like the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Save America's Treasures continues to play a vital role in promoting historic preservation and cultural heritage conservation in the United States, working with institutions like the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration to safeguard the nation's rich cultural heritage.

Category:Historic preservation in the United States