2010 America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places® Nomination Guidelines

DEADLINE EXTENDED! All nomination materials must be submitted by January 15, 2010.

 

America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has identified more than 200 threatened one-of-a-kind historic treasures since 1988.  Whether these sites are urban districts or rural landscapes, Native American landmarks or 20th-century sports arenas, entire communities or single buildings, the list spotlights historic places across America that are threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. The designation has been a powerful tool for raising awareness and rallying resources to save endangered sites from every region of the country.  At times, that attention has garnered public support to quickly rescue a treasured landmark; while in other instances, it has been the impetus of a long battle to save an important piece of our history.

Criteria for Nominating an Endangered Site

  • Significance: The architectural, artistic, and/or historic importance of a site whithin its cultural, social, or geographical context. The places on the 11 Most list need not be famous, but they must be significant whithin their own cultural context and illustrate important issues in preservation. Some previous listings are of undisputed national significance, while others have been included for their role in a unique cultural tradition, for their rare architectural design, or as the last surving example of a style, building type, or resource.
  • Urgency: The need for immediate action to stop or reverse serious threats. Potential 11 Most listings may represent stages of physical deterioration or unfavorable conditions including a natural disaster, intentional destruction, neglect, erosion, exposure to the elements, improper planning or preservation.
  • Solutions: The actions that can be taken by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, local organizations, and/or the public to help mitigate the threats facing an endangered place in the short or long term.

BEFORE FILLING OUT THIS APPLICATION, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

Please note that if you have all of these materials ready before continuing on to the next steps, it should take approximately 1 hour to complete all components of this application.

  • The support of a Regional Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. (Please Note: Our Regional Office staff will help you determine if the 11 Most Endangered list is the best preservation action for your site or if an alternative step may be more appropriate. Your Regional Office contact will serve as the primary advisor to your site throughout the nomination process.)
  • Contact information for the nominator and/or nominating organization and the site owner's information. The site owner's approval is desirable, but not required to nominate a site. The owners information should be included in your application regardeless of whether or not the nomination is endorsed by them. 
  • Responses to the application questions.
  • Supplementary materials including:
    • 2-3 letters of support from local preservation organizations, congresspeople, state representatives, mayors, or other city officials. Letters can be addressed to Special Projects Coordinator Joelle Schatz at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 
    • 5-10 high resolution images at least 1 MB in size (with caption and credit information) that tell the story of your endangered place.  We encourage you to submit images that show the pituresque elements of the place, any deterioration, unique features, or surroundings. Show us why this site must be saved!
    • 1 video about the site - anything from amateur footage to a professional video is welcome. A video is not required, but we do encourage you to submit one if you are able. Again, show us why this site is important and why it should be saved.

All steps of the application should be completed electronically. If you have any materials that you are unable to submit in this manner, you may mail them using the information provided below. You will be given instructions for how to electronically submit letters of support, images, and video after you have completed the nomination form. You must submit these materials in order for your application to be considered.

IF SELECTED, THE ENDANGERED PLACE WILL BENEFIT BY RECEIVING:

  • Promotion through the National Trust for Historic Preservation web site, which receives over 200,000 visitors a month, and an entire web page dedicated to the endangered place.
  • Inclusion in a feature story about the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in Preservation magazine.
  • Support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in planning a local media event and reaching out to national and local press. Past events have included governors, senators, mayors, local representatives, and community members. Past coverage has included The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, Associated Press, Bloomberg, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, CNN Headline News, The Los Angeles Times, The Miami Herald, MSN City Guides, NBC News, USA Today, TIME, and dozens of local outlets.
  • Support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in developing and implementing an advocacy plan and action steps that the public can take to help save the endangered place in the coming year and beyond.  
  • A promotional toolkit and press release.  
  • Use of the 11 Most Endangered program logo on all materials.

REQUIREMENTS IF SELECTED:

  • Video footage of the endangered place that will be used on our website and pitched to media. Amateur content is welcome.
  • A local press event announcing and celebrating the listing, when appropriate. The National Trust for Historic Preservation Communications Team and our Regional Offices will provide support in helping you plan for this event.
  • Signing of a Trademark License Agreement to ensure that the 2010 11 Most Endangered Historic Place® logo is used properly.
  • A This Place Matters photo taken at the endangered place, if possible.
  • Completion of a survey following the national announcement giving feedback on your media event and experience working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Contact 11Most@nthp.org with questions about any of these requirements.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • DEADLINE EXTENDED! ALL NOMINATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY January 15, 2010
  • Applicants will be notified in mid April of 2010.
  • The National Announcement of the 2010 11 Most Endangered Historic Places will be on May 19, 2010.

Contact us with questions

Joelle Schatz

Special Projects Coordinator

National Trust for Historic Preservation.

1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 20036

202.588.6141 | 11Most@nthp.org

I have read the Nomination Guidelines above and understand that in order for my application for the 2010 11 Most Endangered Historic Places® program to be processed, I must submit the Nomination Form, letters of recommendation, images, and video by January 15, 2010 (NEW DEADLINE!). By submitting these materials, I also agree to the following terms and conditions.

 

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