Resources

INDEX:

American Treasures
Educational Resources and Opportunities
Government Resources
Preservation Organizations, Services and Grant Programs

American Treasures

America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places: Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation issues an annual list of America's 11 Most Endangered Places to call attention to significant segments of our national heritage at risk.

American Treasures of the Library of Congress: American Treasures is an unprecedented permanent exhibition of more than 250 of the rarest, most interesting or significant items relating to America's past, drawn from the Library of Congress. This Web version of the exhibition allows you to see many of the same "Treasures" and read about their significance.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that preserves our nation's history and defines us as a people by overseeing the management of all federal records. Enshrined for posterity in the original building in Washington, DC, are the cornerstone documents of our government: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United states, and the Bill of Rights.

National Historic Landmarks (NHL): National Historic Landmarks are properties of national significance that illustrate the history of the United States. Learn how National Historic Landmarks are designated, locate landmarks in a database of over 2,200 NHL properties, and obtain information on NHL technical assistance to aid in their preservation.

National Museum of American History (NMAH): The National Museum of American History, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution, collects, cares for, and preserves over 17 million artifacts that document our national heritage in technology, industrial development, military history, transportation, textiles, costume, domestic life, sports, the arts, and community life. Items on display include the Star-Spangled Banner, Ford's 1913 Model-T and Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

National Register of Historic Places: Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is the Nation's official list of nearly 70,000 historically significant places worthy of preservation. The Web site includes a searchable database of National Register sites. The site's Travel Itineraries section can help you plan your trip to state and local historic properties.

Parks With National Significance: The National Park System comprises 378 units or areas of historic, cultural, natural, scenic and scientific importance. These resources are of such national significance as to justify special protection and recognition by various acts of the United States Congress. "Categories of National Significance" range from agriculture and architecture to ethnic heritage and presidents. This Web site provides historical, geographical, and visitor information for most of the parks identified as having national significance.

Smithsonian Institution: The Smithsonian Institution is as an independent trust instrumentality of the United States holding some 140 million artifacts and specimens in its trust for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." It is composed of sixteen museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities in the United States and abroad. The Smithsonian is also a center for research dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and history.

Educational Resources and Opportunities

EDSITEment: Produced by National Endowment for the Humanities and the Council of the Great City Schools, EDSITEment is a gateway for teachers, students, and parents searching for high-quality material on the Internet in the subject areas of literature and language arts, foreign languages, art and culture, and history and social studies. The EDSITEment experience includes links to 72 of the top humanities sites and online lesson plans, which bring EDSITEment to life for teachers, students, and their families.

The History Channel: This Web site provides teacher resources and educational tie-ins to History Channel shows, as well as historical information ranging from "Great Speeches" (in audio) to facts about "This Day in History."

Links to the Past (National Park Service): If you are interested in becoming actively involved in archeology, ethnography, historic preservation, and/or museum management, you will want to explore the tours, events, internships, volunteer programs, study guides, glossaries, curricula and other educational tools and opportunities available on this Web site. The site's History in the Parks section lists parks based on their cultural and historic significance (e.g., African American heritage, Women's history, Civil War).

National Building Museum: Created by an act of Congress, the National Building Museum is America’s premier cultural institution dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. Through engaging exhibitions and education programs — including innovative curricula for school and stimulating programs for adults — the Museum is an important forum for exchanging ideas and information about preserving landmarks and revitalizing urban centers.

Government Resources

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP): An independent federal agency, ACHP is the major policy advisor to the government in the field of historic preservation. The Council is composed of 20 members who are private citizens and experts in the field appointed by the President, along with Federal agency heads and representatives of state, local, and tribal government.

National Park Service (NPS): This Web site provides maps, data, background and visitor information for all of our National Parks. A truly outstanding resource for those planning a vacation or those who simply want to learn more about our Nation’s geography, natural resources, rich cultural heritage and traditions.

Preservation Organizations, Services and Grant Programs

American Institute for Conservation of Historic Artistic Works (AIC): The national membership organization of conservation professionals, AIC is dedicated to preserving the art and historic artifacts of our cultural heritage for future generations.

The Great American Station Foundation: The Great American Station Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes community economic development by preserving railroad stations and transforming them into improved centers of transportation and commerce. The foundation forms financial and technical partnerships with communities to help them rebuild and revive the nation's railway stations into prosperous centers for economic activity and vital intermodal transportation hubs.

Heritage Preservation: Heritage Preservation is a leading advocate for the preservation of America’s heritage. Their programs and publications provide advice and guidance on the proper care and maintenance of works of art, family heirlooms, books and archives, documents and photographs, architecture and monuments, and natural science specimens.

Heritage Preservation Services (National Park Service): Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) helps our nation's citizens and communities identify, evaluate, protect and preserve historic properties for future generations of Americans. Includes information on special National Park Service grants and tax credits related to historic preservation.

HPS Bookstore: Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) offers nationally recognized standards with helpful guidelines, popular "hands-on" bulletins dealing with repair and replacement issues, and generously illustrated source books on landscape research and building conservation. Many FREE publications are available including The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

HPS National Historic Landmarks Assistance Initiative: Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) has identified over 100 federal and non-federal programs of national scope that can be used to promote historic preservation. Includes information on grants and training, as well as professional organizations and technical assistance.

The League of Historic American Theatres: The League of Historic American Theatres is an international not-for-profit membership association for people who appreciate the cultural and architectural heritage of historic theatres and who work locally to rehabilitate and operate their theatres in communities throughout North America. Members collaborate with one another, share their experience and expertise, and provide inspiration, information, and a broad perspective to those working in the field of historic theatre rehabilitation and operation.

National Center for Technology and Preservation and Technology Training (NCPTT): An office of the National Park Service, NCPTT promotes and enhances the preservation and conservation of prehistoric and historic resources in the United States through the advancement and dissemination of preservation technology and training. Includes information on the NCPTT Grants Program, which is devoted to training, technology and basic research.

National Park Foundation (NPF): The National Park Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Its mission is to help conserve, preserve and enhance our National Parks for the benefit of the American People. NPF raises support from corporations, foundations, and individuals.

National Trust for Historic Preservation: The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization, chartered by Congress in 1949. It is this country’s leading preservation organization, dedicated to protecting irreplaceable historic buildings and the neighborhoods and landscapes they anchor through education and advocacy. As a White House Millennium Partner in Save America’s Treasures, the National Trust is coordinating a public education campaign and working with other preservation partners to increase public recognition and secure long-term support for projects. To learn about local preservation projects, you may contact the National Trust regional or field office in your geographic area.

Preservation Frontline Resources: A comprehensive center for preservation related-resources compiled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Here you'll find Internet links, contact information for regional and state preservation organizations, and a guide to the National Trust's organizational resources.

Save Outdoor Sculpture! (SOS!): SOS! is a private/public initiative to document all monuments and outdoor sculpture in the United States and to help communities and local groups of all ages and interests preserve their sculptural legacy for the next century.

Worlds Monument Fund (WMF): The World Monuments Fund is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by individuals concerned about the accelerating destruction of important artistic and architectural treasures throughout the world. Acting as a catalyst, WMF brings together public and private support to safeguard monuments and works of art whose loss or destruction would impoverish mankind.