Take Action: Tell Congress to Restore Preservation Funding
Background Information
In early February, President Obama released his FY 2011 budget request that would eliminate funding for Save America's Treasures and Preserve America, and cut funding for National Heritage Areas by 50%. These critical historic preservation programs matter now more than ever – not only because they protect our national heritage, but because they serve as economic development engines and job creators in the thousands of communities they serve. For example, Save America's Treasures alone has been responsible for more than 16,000 jobs since it was created just ten years ago.
We're asking you to act now and use our easy online form to send a message to your members of Congress asking them to support restoration of funding for Save America's Treasures and other preservation programs as the House and Senate work on their respective budget bills. Simply enter your zip code. It's easy and takes a few minutes. We have provided a sample letter, but we encourage you to personalize it.
What You Can Do
- Contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support restoration of funding to Save America's Treasures and other preservation programs.
- Forward this message to at least five of your friends and colleagues asking them to send a message as well.
- Share this information on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks using this link: http://bit.ly/savepresfunding.
Learn More About Our Campaign
The time to act is now. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has launched an aggressive campaign to save this funding that now hangs in the balance. Over the coming weeks and months, we'll look to you for support in making that happen. Please visit our campaign page and stay tuned for more action alerts.
Submitted by larken at: August 12, 2010
The us National Parks are our greatest treasure. This summer in Death Valley americans were the minority visitors when we were there. Our parks are our greatest resource for both their beauty and source of travel for our worldwide neighbors. We need to maintain and capitalize on these wonderful treasures!
Submitted by Isa Cann at: July 16, 2010
What a shame to not only dismiss the level of care to our sites to any degree, but to increase the number of unemployed in USA at the same time! Please fund preservation for our valuable assets!
Submitted by angeleyes188R at: July 16, 2010
I am TIRED of seeing National Treasures tampered with when it ruins the environment. I don't want to get too wordy, but I'm TIRED of this!
Submitted by twina at: July 15, 2010
If they cut the military budget by just getting rid of the pork (corrupt and unnecessary spending) and mercenary ops contracts (Black Water et al. and the entire industry of military "support" corporations), health, education and welfare would be fully funded . Obama, Wall St. and the banks, (including all his Treasury appointees, Geitner, Bernanke, and now another new WS insider), and the oil companies are doing well - and pretending they are "reforming" things while they are robbing this country blind and destroying the quality of life for everyone.
Submitted by Rebecca R at: July 14, 2010
Such a tiny fraction of a $3,500Billion budget. Please keep the funding to preserve the touchstones of American culture
Submitted by JS Fordham at: July 12, 2010
This is unbelievable considering all the pork that went into much of the recovery act and all the bailout money for those who took advantage of the system. Why can't government leadership recognize the win-win aspects of Save America's Treasures as a viable engine to produce quality jobs, invest in people and community,, create public private parternerships, fuel economic growth and create sustainable communities? Save America's Treasures is really more than just a preservation funding tool, it is reinvesting in ourselves to secure our future. Why should that be cut?
Submitted by mimjo at: July 10, 2010
The Juana Briones House is #6 on NT's list of America's eleven most endangered historic places. In addition to it being the rare adobe house belonging to a large estate created by a woman in 1844, it housed a lively art colony in mid-tewntieth century whose history is itself worth preserving.
Submitted by mimjo at: July 10, 2010
Historic preservation isn't a cost, it is a net economic benefit that promotes tourism and puts people to work long after the restoration is complete.
Submitted by PWE at: July 1, 2010
What would America be without its national treasures? Children don't learn from simply reading but visiting, touching, seeing, and hearing the story of our country makes it come to life for them. We are charged by our forefathers to hold on to the principals and ideals they started and part of that responsibility is preserving the historical landmarks that served as mute witnesses to the events.
Submitted by EaglePride at: June 30, 2010
Preservation of our historical buildings and sites is very important. People travel to Europe to visit the castle ruins, etc., but yet they overlook the ones we have in the U.S.A. Please restore the funding to save our heritage.
Submitted by CJ at: June 28, 2010
Please save funding for preservation!
Submitted by JJ at: June 27, 2010
Not just history, but jobs and stronger communities are at the heart of Save America's Treasures. Whether individuals recognize it consiously, they feel 'rooted' when their communities include structures and places that are part of their story. Please vote to fund this important program.
Submitted by jane Hope at: June 25, 2010
Please fund this important program.....create more jobs!!
Submitted by Nae at: June 23, 2010
Please continue to fund this very worthwhile program!
Submitted by hankoppe at: June 16, 2010
National Treasures must be preserved to allow our children and their children to better understand the history of our country. Too many buildings in urban areas have been destroyed in the interest of economic development. This trend must stop and restoration of funding for this program can help this effort.
Submitted by LeoStringer at: May 10, 2010
I just don't see how a country which makes no effort to preserve & celebrate its past achievements can have any real hope of future glory.
Submitted by kate at: May 4, 2010
please save orchard house. Louisa may Alcott is a national treasure
Submitted by Adia at: May 3, 2010
Please save this program. I was devastated to learn that it has been cut out of this year's budget. Please reinstate it as soon as possible. Part of what makes any country great is its celebration of historic accomplishments, both tangible and intangible. Let's help to keep more of the tanglible.
Submitted by outlaw1_1990 at: April 21, 2010
Protect our national heritage.
Submitted by ohgirl99 at: April 20, 2010
Preserving old buildings not only helps Americans have pride in our heritage, it is better for the environment. Re-use of old-growth lumber and other sturdy pieces that can't be replicated with modern methods means less material in landfills.