Home2006 Preserve America Summit Preservation Ethic Panel Seeks Public Comment
Tell Us How You Would Build a Preservation Ethic and Public Appreciation for History What is a preservation ethic anyway? Read on. On May 31, 2006, Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of the Preserve America program, announced that, in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), she will lead a national Preserve America Summit in October 2006 to mark the 40th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). Many of the people who will be participating in the New Orleans summit have been placed on a number of expert panels to review the major components of the national historic preservation program in advance of the summit, and make recommendations designed to improve the nation’s historic preservation programs and policy. A panel of experts representing historic preservation, education, history and related fields met in Detroit, Michigan, on August 8, 2006, to begin consideration of the issue: “Building a Preservation Ethic and Public Appreciation for History.” While the NHPA grew out of a grassroots desire to preserve tangible existing places of historic significance, it may be true that, beyond today's historic preservation and history education communities, the public at large has an insufficient appreciation of their value and importance to society. The task of this Preserve America Summit panel is to examine this issue. Please tell us: How can the significance and value of our authentic heritage resources and appreciation for the importance of knowing and understanding history be more broadly integrated into our national consciousness? Or, is the present situation in regard to historic preservation and broad public appreciation of the importance of history education already sufficient in America?" The e-mail address for comments is: presethiccomments@achp.gov The co-chairs of the panel are the following: The other members of the panel include the following: Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our 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. For more information please see www.preserveamerica.gov or www.achp.gov.
Posted August 25, 2006 |