National Historic Preservation Week, (or, um, month, that is)

 

National Historic Preservation Week has become so popular, the National Historic Trust has decided to spread it out a month. (According to this press release.) So, I know that during the month of Edgy, we all will want to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month.

So, if you want to know how to celebrate Historic Preservation without actually actually going out and lying in front of a bulldozer, or doing hours of research to find out what is the correct color to paint your 100 year old wall, I will tell you. Today, HGTV's Restore America announced their grant recipients, and as such, the historic sites that will be highlighted in the 2006-2007 season of Restore America.

"HGTV has donated $1 million for the 2006-2007 campaign of HGTV’s Restore America to fund community revitalization grants. More than 100 grant applications were received from nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the country to complete residential projects.

'Since 2003, this campaign has provided $3 million to fund 36 restoration projects across the country and has elevated the importance of preservation through on-air and online efforts,' said HGTV President Judy Girard. 'The work of the National Trust is a natural fit with our goal at HGTV to reflect the rich and varied fabric of American life through our programming. We look forward to continuing to build on the foundation that has been laid and to see this important initiative become part of how America views our homes, neighborhoods, and towns.'" (HGTV Restore America Sites for 2006-2007)

If you live near any of these areas you can walk by one of these projects and see historic preservation in progress. How cool is that! One might be closer to you than you think! HGTV is working with the National Historic Trust to promote these preservation projects, as well as many others around the country.

• Chicago: Historic Pullman Landmark

The Neighborhood Housing Services Redevelopment Corporation will use the $50,000 grant to convert 10461-10463 South Corliss into six affordable housing condominium units. The organization anticipates that this project will serve as a catalyst to spark new interest and investment in the North Pullman community.

• Cleveland: Heritage Lane Historic Homes

The Famicos Foundation was awarded a $75,000 grant to rehabilitate three homes built between 1910 and 1915 in Cleveland's National Glenville neighborhood as part of a larger project to renovate 13 homes in the city’s National Register Historic District.

• Miles City, Mont.: Old Holy Rosary Hospital

The Housing Authority of the City of Miles City will use a $50,000 grant to aid in converting the original hospital building into 21 apartment units which will be made available to low-income families.

• Provo, Utah: Maeser School

The Provo Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation was awarded a $50,000 grant to restore the school for use as 31 apartments for low-income seniors.

• Philadelphia: Winston Commons

Mt. Airy USA was awarded a $50,000 grant to restore four buildings on Germantown Avenue to create a commercial development with six upper-floor residential units.

• Norwich, Conn.: The Wauregan Hotel

The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation will use a $50,000 grant to restore the hotel and create 70 units of affordable housing and four retail storefronts. Once open, the building will also host events in its restored ballroom.

• Buffalo, NY: Buffalo Electric Vehicle Company

Minneapolis-based Artspace Projects, Inc. was awarded a $50,000 grant to restore the old automobile factory and create 60 affordable units for artists to use as residences and studios.

• New Orleans: Holy Cross Recovery Project

The Preservation Alliance of New Orleans received a $100,000 grant to aid in the rebuilding of the Holy Cross District in New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward. Grant funds will be used renovate one house that sustained hurricane damage and reconstruct one house that collapsed during Hurricane Katrina.

• Knoxville, Tenn: Barber Houses

Knox Heritage was awarded a $50,000 grant to restore two homes on Washington Ave. in Knoxville’s Historic Parkridge Neighborhood. The houses, built in 1887 and 1913, were both designed by George Barber, who led one of the top mail-order architectural firms in the country.

• Little Rock, Ark: Hot Springs High School

The ARC Arkansas received a $50,000 grant to restore the high school and auditorium into 32 loft-style apartments. President Bill Clinton graduated from the former school, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Seventy percent of the apartment units will be set aside for low income individuals.

• Austin, Texas: Juniper-Olive District Historic Homes

The Austin Revitalization Authority was granted $50,000 to rehabilitate five homes in the Juniper-Olive District and create affordable housing units. The Juniper-Olive District is located in Austin’s East End, was once home to a vibrant African American community and is an important piece of Austin’s history.
(HGTV Restore America Sites for 2006-2007)