This week a group of nine Senators, led by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), sent a letter to President Biden urging him to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to establish a Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Monument. The letter specifically lists three sites for potential inclusion in a National Monument, the San Domingo Rosenwald School in Maryland; Julius Rosenwald's boyhood home in Springfield, IL; and an easement on the Nicholas Tower in the former Sears, Roebuck and Company merchandising plant in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. Members of the House are expected to send a similar letter in support of the National Monument, led by Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).

The proposed monument would recognize the life and legacy of American businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and his work with Booker T. Washington to establish Rosenwald schools throughout the segregated South. In 2021 Congress passed legislation authorizing the National Park Service to complete a special resource study to consider the establishment of a Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald School National Park. The National Park Service is expected to conclude that study this spring. Advocates, led by the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Park Campaign, hope to establish a National Monument and then work with Congress on passing legislation to create a larger, more encompassing National Park.

The Antiquities Act has been used more 100 times by Democrat and Republican Presidents to establish National Monuments from federal lands to preserve and protect places of natural, cultural, and historic significance.

Registration is open for the 2024 National Historic Preservation Easements Summit, which will take place from April 30th through May 1st, 2024, in Cleveland, OH. The gathering will serve as a forum to discuss best practices in managing easement programs as well as starting a program. Hosted by Heritage Ohio, Downtown Cleveland, Inc, the Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation, and the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, attendees will have the opportunity to meet their peers and exchange ideas.

Substantive discussions will be accompanied by exclusive tours of preservation success stories in Downtown Cleveland as well as networking events. Preservation Action is excited to be a partnering organization of this important event. A full agenda, registration, and more information is available here.

Space is limited, register today!

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting applications and public nominations for $2.5 million in grants through their Backing Historic Small Restaurants Program, up from $1 million in grants in previous installments. These grants are funded by American Express and have helped historic and culturally significant restaurants across the country to improve infrastructure, make essential repairs and upgrades, and improve accessibility. This year, 50 small restaurants will receive $50,000 in grants each. Since launching in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Backing Historic Small Restaurant program has provided $3 million in grants to 75 historic restaurants across the country.

To be eligible, independent small restaurants must operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods, contribute to their neighborhood’s history and identity, and have a heritage story about cuisine and community in America. Applications and public nominations are due by March 25, 2024.

Apply or nominate a historic restaurant today!

On behalf of Preservation Action and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, thanks to all of our attendees, speakers, sponsors and everyone for helping to make National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week a huge success! We welcomed over 160 attendees, from 44 states and territories, and conducted more than 200 congressional office visits.

Complete Your Hill Report Forms and Follow-up!

For Advocacy Week attendees, now is the time for the important follow-up from your congressional office visits. As we heard from several panelists this year, following up on your visits is critical in continuing your advocacy and creating a relationship with your members. Be sure to thank offices and to follow-up with any promised information or materials.

Additionally,  please complete a hill report form online for each of your meetings. Knowing who you met with and how those meetings went is essential for our continued advocacy. The reports only take a few minutes and can be easily completed online. Hill report forms are due by March 31st.

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: "ACHP Members Approve Groundbreaking Policy Statement on Indigenous Knowledge and Historic Preservation"

Colorado: "Colo Panel OKs Expanding Historic Structure Tax Credit"

Minnesota: "Minneapolis Receives Funds to Document Black History and List Historic Places"