Take Action for Historic Preservation

Wal-Mart Superstore Threatens Wilderness Battlefield

Take action against Wal-Mart's plans to build a Supercenter within sight of one of the most significant Civil War battle sites in our nation. (Photo: National Park Service) Learn More

Wal-Mart

Calling All Louisiana Residents

Now more than ever, we need your help in saving Charity Hospital and the surrounding Lower Mid-City neighborhood from neglect and demolition. Learn More

Calling

A Vision for President-Elect Barack Obama

The National Trust for Historic Preservation releases its official policy platform for President-Elect Barack Obama. Learn More

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Putting Preservation Policy on the Map

Explore our new policy map to learn about state and local preservation-related ballot initiatives from around the country. Learn More

Putting

Election 2008

  • Policy Platform: President-Elect Barack Obama will soon be at the helm of a nation facing unprecedented economic and environmental challenges. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has presented his team with a policy platform exploring how preservation – when integrated into economic, energy and climate change polices – can not only protect the places that matter most, but also lead to more livable, sustainable and economically viable communities.
  • Preservation Policy Map: Explore our new policy map to learn about interesting preservation-related ballot initiatives around the country.
  • Congressional Elections Assessment: Change is definitely coming to Washington, but not just in the form of a new presidential administration. See how the elections for hotly-contested Senate and House seats impacted some of our preservation allies in our ongoing congressional elections assessment.
  • Preservation Priorities Poll Results: Launched just hours after President-Elect Barack Obama claimed victory in one of the most historic presidential elections in American politics, our preservation priorities poll inspired over 1,000 responses (and several hundred comments) from PreservationNation readers who were asked to select which preservation issues have the biggest impact in their communities.

Federal Policy Issues & Information

  • Take Action | Learn More: You can buy a lot of things Wal-Mart, but history isn't one of them. Now is the time to speak out against "big-box" development plans that are threatening Virginia's Wilderness Battlefield. Take action today by signing our petition urging Wal-Mart executives to find an alternate location for their proposed Supercenter in Orange County.
  • Take Action | Learn More: Three hundred thousand places of landmark historical or cultural significance, including Native American sacred sites and Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields are at risk of ruin, according to the recently released report, The National Forest System: Cultural Resources at Risk.
  • Take Action | Learn More: Ask your representatives to join the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus and become an advocate for historic preservation policy in Congress.
  • Learn More: The first major amendments to the federal rehabilitation tax credit in 20 years benefitting affordable housing and leaseback of historic property and real estate.
  • Learn More: The June 2008 Midwest floods caused extensive damage to historic properties throughout Iowa and affected areas of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota. Learn about the tax relief that was enacted by 110th Congress to ameliorate the effects of the devastating floods on these states.
  • Learn More: A massive proposed oil and gas development project would cause irreparable damage to Nine Mile Canyon in Utah, home to one of the most important and extensive collections of prehistoric rock art panels in the world.  

State Policy Issues & Information 

  • Take Action: Help Save New Orleans’ Charity Hospital and the adjacent Lower Mid-City neighborhood.
  • Learn More: Proposition WW proposes major funding for East Bay Regional Parks in California.
  • Learn More: Proposition J gives San Francisco voters chance to reform planning processes for landmark buildings in the city.
  • Learn More: Help preserve historic Hangar One in California.
  • Learn More: Help pass important historic preservation incentives pending before the Pennsylvania State Legislature.
  • Learn More: San Onofre State Beach in California faces the threat of a toll road construction.
  • Learn More: California Voters are urged to Vote No on Proposition 98 on June 3rd, 2008.
  • Learn More: State Parks and Historic Sites across the state of New Jersey are threatened by proposed budget cuts.
  • Learn More: Massachusetts Voters to Decide on Adopting the Community Preservation Act.
  • Learn More: 48 California State Parks are currently at risk due to budget cut-backs. Get all the info about this issue to save these historic public places.
  • Take Action | Learn More: Arizona, urge your state legislators to get states park funding out of the budget cross-hairs.

Local Policy Issues & Information

  • Learn More: Help Protect Miami Marine Stadium: Support designating the stadium as a local landmark!
  • Learn More: Save the Historic Heart of the Presidio of San Francisco: Attend Presidio Trust Public Hearing on Monday July 14th.
  • Learn More: Read the National Trust's letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding regarding the management and stewardship of the Presidio that will benefit and preserve the historic properties located on the national park site.

News from Capitol Hill

  • President Bush signed the "Housing Recovery Act of 2008" (P.L. 110-289) into law on July 30, 2008, which contains three amendments to the federal rehabilitation tax credit affecting alternative minimum tax relief, leasing of historic properties to nonprofits, and consideration of historic properties in state Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) for use with the low-income housing tax credit.
  • Preservation Architect and National Trust Sustainability Coalition member Jean Carron, FAIA, delivered testimony on behalf of the National Trust before the Senate Rules Committee on June 18, 2008, to discuss the inherent advantages of reusing existing buildings in the context of increasing reducing the carbon footprint of the U.S. Capitol complex. Read her complete statement for the record.
  • A five-year reauthorization of farm bill programs, including historic preservation provisions, became law on June 18, 2008 after the House and Senate overrode a presidential veto for a second time. Learn more details about these important provisions affecting rural heritage.
  • The National Trust testified before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials on June 5, 2008 against an exemption being sought by the railroad industry from both Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for railroad facilities. Read this important testimony to learn more about this exemption's potential effect in undermining these important historic preservation protections.
  • National Trust President Richard Moe on testified on June 5, 2008 before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee outlining the management of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs), which have become one of the most significant and widespread threats to cultural resources on public lands.
  • Read the National Trust's letter of endorsement for a bill (HR 4199) expanding the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park (DAHNHP) to include the Wright Company Factory buildings and Hawthorn Hill — the family home of aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright.

Legislative Updates 

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