Home News Mrs. Laura Bush Designates Corinth, Mississippi, a Preserve America Community

July 24, 2004—Corinth, Mississippi, today was honored when Mrs. Laura Bush designated it among the Nation's newest Preserve America communities.

"Preserve America communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America's heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment," Mrs. Bush said.

"This new community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Presidential Awards and Federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources," she continued. "I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our Nation's historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children."

Mayor Jerry W. Latch, Siege and Battle of Corinth Committee Chair Rosemary Williams, and Certified Local Government Coordinator Stephanie Sandy received the certificate of designation signed by Mrs. Bush.

The Preserve America initiative is a new White House effort to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America's priceless cultural and natural heritage.

The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the Nation's past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets; and, support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts. Other benefits include appropriate use of the Preserve America logo on signs and promotional materials; notification to media, state tourism offices, and visitor bureaus; and listing on a Web-based directory to showcase preservation efforts and highlight heritage tourism destinations.

The Bush Administration's fiscal year 2005 budget contains a request for $10 million in grant funds for which communities meeting the Preserve America criteria will be eligible to apply. These matching fund grants of $50,000 to $250,000 would go on a competitive basis to projects that preserve and use important historic resources for promotion of heritage tourism and other economic revitalization projects.

John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), said, "There are significant economic, educational, and cultural benefits that historic preservation, through efforts such as heritage tourism, bring to a community.

"Sustainable preservation is not a cost for maintaining the past, it is an investment in building the future. You have shown that your community is a national leader in this trend and have created a powerful positive example for others."

Nau presented the certificate of designation during ceremonies celebrating the opening of the new Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation partners with the Department of the Interior, Department of Commerce, and Department of Agriculture to administer the Preserve America Community program on behalf of the Office of the First Lady.

For more information on Preserve America, including the community designation program and a summary of the Corinth, Mississippi, Preserve America Community, visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov/communities.html.

An independent Federal agency, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) promotes historic preservation nationally by providing a forum for influencing Federal activities, programs, and policies that impact historic properties, advising the President and Congress, advocating preservation policy, improving Federal preservation programs, protecting historic properties, and educating stakeholders and the public. For more information, visit the ACHP's Web site at www.achp.gov, or contact Bruce Milhans at 202-606-8513 or bmilhans@achp.gov.

Learn more about ACHP

Updated September 9, 2004

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