Historic Preservation Groups Form Disaster-Response Coalition, Make Flood Response Information Available
Disaster Response Information is Available at www.preservationnation.org
Posted June 23, 2008 | Contact pr@nthp.org or 202-588-6141
Washington, DC (June 20, 2008) — As residents of the flood-ravaged Midwest begin to return to their homes and businesses, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and its partners are making available a series of publications to help people assess and respond to damage to their property. The publications—geared toward owners of homes and businesses and available for free at www.preservationnation.org—provide a wealth of practical tools and expertise from a variety of organizations gleaned from decades of experience in a range of natural disasters—including mold remediation of historic structures, tips for working with FEMA, and practical how-to guides for preserving family photos and other cherished keepsakes.
In addition, the Midwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation has convened an Iowa Flood Response Coalition comprised of the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance, the Iowa Downtown Resource Center (Main Street Iowa), Brucemore, the National Trust Historic Site in Cedar Rapids, the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, the Iowa Cultural Coalition, and the 1000 Friends of Iowa. Working together, these groups are helping people across Iowa to preserve the numerous historic sites and cultural institutions that have been damaged by flood waters.
In 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation responded to Hurricane Katrina with a vigorous effort to help preserve the thousands of damaged properties along the Gulf Coast. Many of the lessons learned from that experience are reflected in the information now available on the National Trust's Web site.
Richard Moe, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the National Trust was committed to working with its local partners to get information out to flood victims.
"The record-breaking floods across the Midwest have not only affected the lives and livelihoods of countless people, they have also destroyed or damaged numerous cultural institutions, public buildings, rural landscapes, and historic districts," Moe said. "We know from working on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina that one of the things people need most during difficult times like this is good information. I hope that people will visit the Web site and use the information there to help them move forward with the recovery process."
Also, Brucemore, a National Trust Historic Site, is playing a pivotal role in Cedar Rapids' recovery efforts. Focusing on first assisting museums, cultural attractions, community organizations with archival materials, and owners of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Brucemore is working with the National Trust to assemble teams of curators, conservators, architects and engineers who all specialize in disaster recovery, and is making the Garden House available as a preservation headquarters for these assistance teams.
The publications available on www.preservationnation.org include:
- Treatment of Flood-Damaged Older and Historic Buildings - By: Jim Sewell, Richard Wagner, Claudette Hanks Reichel
Useful manual to help building owners reduce structural and cosmetic flood damage to older and historic buildings. Updated in 2005. (free, registration required) - Saving Your Flood Damaged Older and Historic Buildings: A Guide for Property Owners in Iowa - Two-sided tip sheet from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance with helpful information for building owners dealing with flood damage.
- Damage Assessment Tips for Storm and Flood Damaged Historic Properties in Iowa -General disaster recovery tips from the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- The Heritage Emergency National Task Force has helpful materials including Save Your Treasures The Right Way, a tip sheet to help people deal correctly with damaged family photos, documents, etc; A Guide to Navigating FEMA and SBA Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions, and a list of constantly updated damage reports and requests for assistance from across the Midwest.
- After the Flood: Rebuilding Communities Through Historic Preservation, from the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office
- Working with Contractors and Architects - From the National Trust Resource Center
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information visit www.PreservationNation.org.
