horizontal banner with Preserve America logo and images of a historic downtown, farm, courthouse, and mountain

Preserve America is a national initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Transportation; U.S. General Services Administration; National Endowment for the Humanities; President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities; Institute of Museum and Library Services; and the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

The seal of the President of the United StatesAdvisory Council on Historic Preservation logoU.S. Department of Agriculture logoU.S. Department of Commerce seal
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development logoU.S. Department of the Interior seal

GSA IMLS

 

Preserve America Stewards

Preserve America Stewards is a designation program that recognizes programs that have demonstrated a successful use of volunteer time and commitment in order to help care for our historic heritage.

Designation recognizes programs of organizations and agencies that:

  • provide volunteers with opportunities to contribute in direct and tangible ways to the preservation, protection, and promotion of historic properties;
  • address an otherwise unfilled need in heritage preservation through the use of volunteer efforts; and
  • demonstrate innovative and creative use of volunteer assistance in areas such as youth involvement, volunteer training, public education, and public/private partnerships.

Benefits of designation include:

  • a letter of designation from First Lady Michelle Obama;
  • a certificate of recognition signed by the First Lady;
  • authorization to use the Preserve America logo in public outreach and promotional activities;
  • listing in a Web-based Preserve America Stewards directory;
  • publicity in the Preserve America e-newsletter.

Non-profit organizations, government entities (federal, state, local, or tribal), and businesses are eligible to seek designation for their programs. Four application and designation cycles occur each year, with application deadlines on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. To apply, submit the Preserve America Stewards Application(pdf) (doc).

The following Preserve America Stewards have been officially designated and recognized for their exemplary volunteer efforts to care for historic resources around the country:

Arizona
Kaibab Vermilion Cliffs Heritage Alliance

Alaska
Alutiiq Museum

California
Glendale Historical Society
Monterey State Historic Park

Colorado
Amache Preservation Society
Chimney Rock Interpretive Association

Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
San Juan Mountains Association

Connecticut
Weir Farm National Historic Site

Florida
City of St. Augustine Archaeology Program
Diving With a Purpose

Hawaii
The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

Illinois
Effingham County Museum
Pleasant Home Foundation

Iowa
Cascade Community Enhancement Corporation

Indiana
Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County

Kansas
Glasco Community Foundation

Kentucky
Jack Jouett House Historic Site

Maine
Maine Maritime Museum

Maryland
Friends of Jerusalem Mill
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Sandy Spring Lodge #6430
Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fell's Point
United States Lighthouse Society

Massachusetts
New Bedford Historical Society
Friends of Burial Hill, Inc.

Michigan
DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society
Historical Society of Saginaw County

Nationwide
HistoriCorps
Passport in Time (PIT) Program

Nebraska
Douglas County Historical Society

Nevada
Southern Nevada Agency Partnership & Public Lands Institute, UNLV

New Jersey
Branch Brook Park Alliance
InfoAge Science-History Center
Monmouth County Historical Association

New Mexico
Cornerstones Community Partnerships
Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
New Mexico SiteWatch
Valles Caldera National Preserve

New York
Bateaux Below, Inc.
Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery
Museum at Eldridge Street

North Carolina
Friends of Oberlin Village

Ohio
Oberlin Heritage Center
Olmsted Historical Society

Pennsylvania
Moravian Historical Society
Independence National Historical Park
Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust

South Carolina
Historic Columbia

Texas
German Texan Heritage Society
Texas Archeological Society
Texas Historical Commission – RIP Guardian Program
Texas Historical Commission - Texas Archeological Stewardship Network
Gault School of Archaeological Research

Virginia
Fairfield Foundation

Washington
Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of Lakewold
Dunn Gardens

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