American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that nine New Orleans historic sites have been selected to participate in the New Orleans Partners in Preservation program as part of American Express’ $400,000 commitment to preservation efforts in New Orleans. The American Express Partners in Preservation program in New Orleans was created to help preserve historic sites that reflect the city’s rich cultural history, 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 American Express Partners in Preservation participating sites are:
Franz Building
New Orleans Healing Center
St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church
St. Augustine Parish Hall
St. Alphonsus Art & Cultural Center
Eagle Saloon
Odyssey House Louisiana
Passebon Cottage
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Your support is still needed to recover, protect and preserve New Orleans’ unique and diverse cultural heritage. We invite you to become involved in efforts to preserve the nine Partners in Preservation sites and other historic locations that enrich community life in New Orleans. Your participation in the grant selection process – via stories and photos posted to the Web site – will ensure that this remains a community-centered initiative.
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 through this website. 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, to 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, 13, 2008.
Additionally, consider volunteering at one of the sites, making a donation of your own or taking a tour of your favorite site is open to the public. Your ongoing participation helps to ensure the continuing vitality of New Orleans through the preservation of the places that matter to us all.
For more information, visit the Partners in Preservation website.
