The Preserve America grant program, which began in 2006, is administered by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.  The competitive matching grants fund Preserve America Communities, State Historic Preservation Offices, and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to support their preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning.

Santa Monica Beach Cultural Mapping Project
Santa Monica, California
$100,000
Capitalizing on its greatest asset – its beach, Santa Monica’s goal is to highlight people and events that shaped the history and culture of the Southern California beach that significantly influenced popular culture in America and abroad.  Stories from the days of Jim Crow relate how use of the beach was the subject of racial tensions as African-Americans fought for equal access.  Later the beach provided the backdrop for the birth of beach volleyball, the international physical fitness movement launched at Muscle Beach as well as the American Skateboarding revolution.  Funds will support an experienced historian to survey key sites, events, and individuals to create an inventory of resources and materials.  This will provide the foundation for the future development of cultural markers and interpretive plaques, walking tours, and exhibits.

More information on Preserve America, including a complete list of grant recipients, criteria and application forms for various initiative programs, can be found at http://www.PreserveAmerica.gov.

Source:  Press Release
Preserve America Grants in 25 States Announced; Deadline for 2008 Round Two Applications in June
U.S. Deptartment of the Interior
7 April 2008