DC-Area Historic Sites Vy for Preservation Grants

Georgetown University, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Washington National Cathedral and others are among a field of 24 DC-area historic sites vying for $1 million in grants from Partners in Preservation.

The initiative stems from a partnership between American Express Co. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The contest lets you vote online for your favorite local historic site. The site with the most “votes” online wins full funding for its preservation project.

“Washington’s historic sites reflect not only important chapters in our nation’s history, but also the diversity and unique character of our city,” Mayor Vincent Gray said in a press release. “Partners in Preservation celebrates these places by encouraging the public to support their preservation and providing grants to help ensure the sites can be enjoyed by Washingtonians and visitors to the city for generations to come.”

• The Washington National Cathedral is hoping to win $100,000 to help restore the earthquake-damaged structure. With the grants they could take down the netting that blocks stained glass windows and carvings in the nave, according to the cathedral website. 
• Dumbarton Oaks Park would use the funds to repair the garden’s first dam and built structures from the gate to the stone bridge.
• Georgetown University would restores the exterior or the Heyden Observatory, the 3rd oldest in the country.
• Abner Cloud House at the C&O Canal would use the grant to preserve a house built in 1801 that shows "the history of early agricultural economy and transportation in the DC area," according to the grant website.

Now through May 10, the community is invited to visit www.PartnersinPreservation.com to help the local sites earn points by voting online and via mobile daily, sharing with friends via Twitter, checking in on Foursquare and taking photos on Instagram.

The site receiving the highest number of points is guaranteed to receive grant funding. At the end of the program, a Partners in Preservation advisory committee comprised of Washington-area civic and preservation leaders will recommend how the remainder of the preservation grants will be awarded. Full details on voting terms and how to earn points for sites can be found at PartnersinPreservation.com.