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