Slate of Nine New Orleans Historic Sites Are Eligible for Grants; People
Invited to Share Stories About the Sites at http://www.partnersinpreservation.com
NEW ORLEANS, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- American Express and the National
Trust for Historic Preservation today launched a community-based historic
preservation initiative supporting New Orleans as part of the American
Express Partners in Preservation program. American Express is committing
$400,000 in preservation grants to New Orleans. There are nine historic
sites in neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Katrina eligible for the grant
monies. Each has played a crucial role in bringing the New Orleans
community together. People who live in the local communities and across the
country are invited to participate in the initiative by sharing stories,
photos and comments about their favorite historic places in New Orleans and
the nine historic sites that are competing for grant funding at
http://www.partnersinpreservation.com.
The American Express Partners in Preservation program in New Orleans
was created to help preserve historic sites that serve as community
gathering spaces, and that reflect New Orleans' rich cultural history,
architecture and landscape, while also engaging the community in
preservation, driving tourism and stimulating economic development.
Additionally, American Express and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation developed the slate of nine sites in an effort to raise
awareness of some of the region's most important, but often not widely
recognized "hidden gems." The public's participation in the grant selection
process-via stories posted to the Web site-will ensure that this remains a
community-centered initiative.
"Following Hurricane Katrina, American Express responded by providing
disaster relief to the communities and people of New Orleans and then
supported the National Trust in its efforts to help rebuild the city. With
the Partners in Preservation program, we have the opportunity to make an
additional sustainable contribution in New Orleans that will help preserve
the city's historic legacy and provide gathering places for the people of
New Orleans," said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express
Foundation. "We invite people living in New Orleans and across the country
to show their support by sharing their stories online."
"Anyone who has visited New Orleans knows how the city's diverse
collection of historic buildings contributes to its unique charm," said
Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
"New Orleans is struggling to maintain its authenticity in the aftermath of
Katrina, and a top priority for the National Trust for Historic
Preservation is helping to preserve its rich cultural heritage. We are
proud to join with American Express' Partners in Preservation program to
help ensure that historic places are preserved for the benefit and
enjoyment of future generations."
Launched in 2006, the Partners in Preservation program is a
philanthropic initiative in which American Express, in partnership with the
National Trust for Historic Preservation, has pledged $5.5 million over a
five-year period toward preserving historic sites in the United States. In
September 2006, American Express allocated preservation grants to sites in
the San Francisco Bay Area. And in 2007, Chicagoland historic sites were
the focus of the Partners in Preservation program.
Historic New Orleans Sites on the Slate
The nine New Orleans sites reflect the diversity of New Orleans'
heritage, encompassing churches, Creole Cottages, cemeteries, and the
building known as the "Birthplace of Jazz." The scope of the preservation
needs at these sites ranges from fixing leaking roofs, stabilizing
foundations, removal of false wall coverings to reveal original exteriors,
to adapting buildings for further use as assets in the community.
American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation used
specific criteria to select the nine sites on the slate including their
historic, architectural and cultural significance, demonstrated community
support for the sites, role as community gathering spaces, damage from
Hurricane Katrina, and the ability to complete a preservation project
within one year. The nine selected sites are as follows:
-- Eagle Saloon (Central Business District)
-- Franz Building (Central City)
-- Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (Garden District)
-- New Orleans Healing Center (Faubourg Marigny)
-- Odyssey House Louisiana (Esplanade Ridge)
-- Passebon Cottage (Treme)
-- St. Alphonsus Art & Cultural Center (Lower Garden District)
-- St. Augustine Parish Hall (Treme)
-- St. James A.M.E. Church (Mid-City National Register District)
More information about each of these sites can be found at
http://www.partnersinpreservation.com.
Share Your Story, Show Your Support
American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation
encourage all New Orleans residents, and people who care about the city, to
start sharing their stories on April 15th via a dedicated website,
http://www.partnersinpreservation.com. American Express, the National Trust for
Historic Preservation and a special Advisory Committee comprised of local
New Orleans dignitaries will review the public's stories about the nine
historic sites, along with each site's story, background, and monetary
needs, and determine how the $400,000 in preservation grants will be
awarded. The sites being awarded American Express Partners in Preservation
grants will be announced to the public on May 13th 2008.
About American Express
American Express Company (http://www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global
payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
Historic preservation has long been the hallmark of American Express'
involvement in the community, reflecting its recognition of the
contribution of sites and monuments to a sense of national and local
identity and the role that their preservation can play in attracting
visitors and revitalizing neighborhoods. As early as 1983, American Express
launched a cause-related marketing effort that raised $1.7 million for the
preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. From 1996 to 2005,
American Express contributed more than $10 million to help preserve 126
historic sites in 62 countries from the World Monuments Watch List of the
100 Most Endangered Sites. In June 2006, the company announced the American
Express Partners in Preservation initiative, with the National Trust for
Historic Preservation as its partner in the U.S. and the World Monuments
Fund as its partner internationally.
About the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership
organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the
places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from
history -- and the important moments of everyday life -- took place, the
National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and
communities, spark economic development and promote environmental
sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and
field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50
states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership,
education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people,
organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting
us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories.
For more information visit http://www.PreservationNation.org.
SOURCE American Express
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Related links:
http://www.partnersinpreservation.com
http://www.americanexpress.com
http://www.PreservationNation.org
CONTACT:
Kajal Jhaveri of American Express,
+1-212-640-4110, kajal.a.jhaveri@aexp.com; Virgil McDill of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation, +1-202-588-6218,
virgil_mcdill@nthp.org; or Chris Heuwetter of M. Silver
Associates, +1-954-765-3636, Chrish@msilver-pr.com, for American
Express
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