[Source: Home & Away] -- The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for its 2008 America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places list. The list is issued annually to raise awareness of historic sites at risk from neglect, poor maintenance, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. Since its founding, the list has been one of the nation’s most successful tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural and natural heritage. “America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places list has been a powerful wake-up call, alerting people to treasures in trouble and rousing efforts to save them,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “This list has helped save some very significant pieces of our nation’s heritage. (But) important historic sites are still in danger, and we must continue to protect the places that tell America’s story.” The list has brought national attention to 189 significant buildings, sites and landscapes. At times, that attention has garnered public support to rescue a treasured landmark; while in other instances, it has been the impetus of a long battle to save an important piece of our history. America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places list has been so successful in educating the public about the importance of preserving our nation’s history that more than 35 states now publish their own lists of endangered historic places. Among the many sites that have been listed are Historic Neighborhoods of New Orleans; Ellis Island in New York Harbor (pictured); the Kennecott Copper Mines in Alaska; Bethlehem Steel Plant in Bethlehem, Pa.; the World Trade Center Vesey Street Survivors’ Staircase; and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor through Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Descriptions of past listings can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.
The National Trust uses three primary criteria to determine the eleven finalists: significance, urgency and potential solutions. For more information about the application process and to download the application, click here or call (202)588-6141. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 4.
