Partners in Preservation Announces Local and National Supporters

Eight organizations join American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help raise awareness about landmarks in the Twin Cities

Posted September 9, 2011 | Contact pr@savingplaces.org or 202-588-6141

MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL – September 8, 2011 – American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are pleased to recognize eight organizations that have come on as official partners for Partners in Preservation, a community awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness about historic preservation that will ultimately distribute $1 million in preservation grants to local historic places. Partners include national brands such as Delta Air Lines and Valspar, and local organizations including the Minnesota Historical Society and many others.

Leading Partners:

Delta Air Lines.  Delta Air Lines has provided critical resources that have aided in marketing Partners in Preservation in the Twin Cities. In addition, Delta is supporting the effort on its social media channels, in its Delta Sky Magazine, and among its nearly 13,000 Minnesota employees and its nearly 80,000 employees worldwide.  For more information on Delta Airlines, visit delta.com.

Valspar Corporation.  Valspar has donated up to 100 gallons of paint for each of the 25 historic places participating in Partners in Preservation to aid in their restoration needs.  It will also be promoting Partners in Preservation on its social media assets and to its 500 Minneapolis employees. For more information on Valspar, visit valsparpaint.com.

Minnesota Historical Society.  The Minnesota Historical Society is providing a vast network of volunteers and staff to assist with spreading the word about Partners in Preservation at local events, including the Minnesota State Fair, and through its communication channels, such as History Matters magazine and its newsletters. For more information on the Minnesota Historical Society, visit mnhs.org.

City of Minneapolis. In addition to Mayor R. T. Rybak serving as the co-chair of the Advisory Committee and supporting the effort through his social media channels, the City of Minneapolis will be communicating the program across its many online properties including websites and social media. For more information on the City of Minneapolis, visit minneapolismn.gov.

City of Saint Paul.  The City of Saint Paul will be promoting Partners in Preservation on its website, on its social media networks, and through the placement of downtown street banners.  Mayor Chris Coleman is also serving as the co-chair of the Advisory Committee and will be lending his support throughout the program. For more information on the City of Saint Paul, visit stpaul.gov.

Additional Partners:

Minnesota Public Radio.  The partnership with Minnesota Public Radio includes underwriting to promote Partners in Preservation, online communications and sponsorship of MPR Day at the Minnesota State Fair to promote the Partners in Preservation program. For more information on Minnesota Public Radio, visit minnesota.publicradio.org.

Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.  The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota will promote Partners in Preservation through its extensive network of contacts and organizations in addition to featuring information about Partners in Preservation on its website and social media assets.  For more information on the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, visit mnpreservation.org.

Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.  The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota has teamed up with Partners in Preservation to promote the program and the participating historic places through a preservation bike event.  The group will also promote the program to its members and in bike shops around the metro region. For more information on the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, visit bikemn.org.

Minnesota Zoo.  Partners in Preservation and the Minnesota Zoo have partnered on a promotion aimed at building the Partners in Preservation Facebook community in advance of the voting period beginning Sept. 20. Between Aug. 29, 2011 and Oct. 12, 2011, American Express will donate $1 to the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, up to $10,000, for every individual who “Likes” the Partners in Preservation page on Facebook. In exchange, the Minnesota Zoo will be promoting Partners in Preservation across its many communications channels. For more about the Minnesota Zoo, visit mnzoo.org

To learn more about Partners in Preservation and these organizations, please visit Facebook.com/PartnersinPreservation or PartnersinPreservation.org.

About Partners in Preservation
Launched in 2006, Partners in Preservation is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has awarded $5.5 million over a five-year period toward preserving 56 historic places throughout the United States. American Express renewed its commitment to Partners in Preservation in 2010 by pledging $10 million toward the program over the next five years. Through this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America’s historic and cultural places. The program also seeks to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic sites at the heart of their communities.   

On Aug. 2, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that the Twin Cities region will be the sixth market to participate in Partners in Preservation. Local residents are encouraged to participate in the program by voting for their favorite historic place from a diverse group of 25 sites on Facebook.com/PartnersinPreservation beginning on September 20.  For more information, visit Facebook.com/PartnersinPreservation, PartnersInPreservation.com or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/PartnersinPres.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Historic preservation has long been the hallmark of American Express’s involvement in the community, reflecting the company’s recognition of the importance of cultural sites and monuments as symbols of national and local identity, and the role that their preservation can play in attracting visitors and revitalizing neighborhoods. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.