Applications are now being accepted for grants from the National Trust Preservation Fund, the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns, the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors. The application deadline for all four programs is February 1, 2012. Guidelines and links to applications can be found at the website below. (Please note: the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns uses the general National Trust Preservation Fund grant application. Grants from the Hart Fund are awarded to projects in communities with populations of 5,000 or less.)
If you have questions about our grant programs, staff in our grants office will be happy to assist you. Any questions can be sent to grants@nthp.org.
http://www.preservationnation.org/forum/newsroom/applications-now-being.html
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
NEWS: 118,000 Iowa cultural resources mapped and now on-line
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
600 E. Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 21, 2011
Contact: Jeff Morgan, 515-281-3858
Aerial views, information about 118,000 cultural resources now on-line
Iowa Site Inventory features architectural properties, historic districts and cemeteries
DES MOINES – The Department of Cultural Affairs today announced information about nearly 114,000 historical and architectural properties, 280 National Register districts, and 3,500 cemeteries have been mapped and are now available on-line.
DCA has mapped and uploaded information from its Iowa Site Inventory to I-Sites Public, an online Geographic Information Systems (GIS) site co-hosted by Iowa State University’s GIS Support and Research Facility and the Office of the State Archaeologist in Iowa City. The I-Sites Public web page is at http://ags.gis.iastate.edu/IsitesPublicAccess/.
“This is important because it marks the first time the statewide inventory of Iowa’s cultural resources is available to the public in this format,” DCA Director Mary Tiffany Cownie said. “This means anybody from historic preservationists to archaeologists to the general public can visit this site on-line and research places and properties in Iowa that have historical, archaeological and architectural significance or value.”
The Iowa Site Inventory files contain information about more than 123,000 architectural, historical and National Register-listed properties around the state. Information in each property file varies in scope from a single photograph to a full National Register nomination, newspaper clippings and project reports.
Each property is given a unique site number and basic information about the property is entered into the computerized Iowa Site Inventory database. This searchable information includes location details, property names, historic and current functions, building materials, architect and builder (if known), architectural style and National Register status.
The database also cross-references properties to photographs and 1,900 architectural and historical reports in the State Historic Preservation Office collections.
More information is available by contacting SHPO’s Berry Bennett at berry.bennett@iowa.gov or 515-281-8742.
The principal activities of the Office of the State Archaeologist Geographic Information Services (GIS) include managing the Iowa Site File, which is the master inventory of archaeological sites in Iowa. GIS disseminates information from the Iowa Site File to the professional and avocational archaeological community, as well as to agencies and developers. The Iowa Site File is also used as a data source for research projects on the use of Iowa’s landscape by past cultures.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
600 E. Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 21, 2011
Contact: Jeff Morgan, 515-281-3858
Aerial views, information about 118,000 cultural resources now on-line
Iowa Site Inventory features architectural properties, historic districts and cemeteries
DES MOINES – The Department of Cultural Affairs today announced information about nearly 114,000 historical and architectural properties, 280 National Register districts, and 3,500 cemeteries have been mapped and are now available on-line.
DCA has mapped and uploaded information from its Iowa Site Inventory to I-Sites Public, an online Geographic Information Systems (GIS) site co-hosted by Iowa State University’s GIS Support and Research Facility and the Office of the State Archaeologist in Iowa City. The I-Sites Public web page is at http://ags.gis.iastate.edu/IsitesPublicAccess/.
“This is important because it marks the first time the statewide inventory of Iowa’s cultural resources is available to the public in this format,” DCA Director Mary Tiffany Cownie said. “This means anybody from historic preservationists to archaeologists to the general public can visit this site on-line and research places and properties in Iowa that have historical, archaeological and architectural significance or value.”
The Iowa Site Inventory files contain information about more than 123,000 architectural, historical and National Register-listed properties around the state. Information in each property file varies in scope from a single photograph to a full National Register nomination, newspaper clippings and project reports.
Each property is given a unique site number and basic information about the property is entered into the computerized Iowa Site Inventory database. This searchable information includes location details, property names, historic and current functions, building materials, architect and builder (if known), architectural style and National Register status.
The database also cross-references properties to photographs and 1,900 architectural and historical reports in the State Historic Preservation Office collections.
More information is available by contacting SHPO’s Berry Bennett at berry.bennett@iowa.gov or 515-281-8742.
The principal activities of the Office of the State Archaeologist Geographic Information Services (GIS) include managing the Iowa Site File, which is the master inventory of archaeological sites in Iowa. GIS disseminates information from the Iowa Site File to the professional and avocational archaeological community, as well as to agencies and developers. The Iowa Site File is also used as a data source for research projects on the use of Iowa’s landscape by past cultures.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Recap : Public Improvements Public Input Meeting
Approximately 30 downtown property owners, interested citizens of Red Oak, and community leaders attended the fifth and final public input meeting at 7:00 pm on Monday, November 7th at the Green Hills Area Education Agency Victory Conference Center in Downtown Red Oak. Daric O'Neal and Mike Thompson with Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture presented concepts and ideas related to Public Improvements in Study Area. Items discussed included on street parking, off street parking, street conditions, sidewalk conditions, downtown specific signage, utilities, lighting, site furnishings and landscape. Those in attendance had an opportunity to ask a lot of questions and engage in dialogue related to the subjects.
If you were unable to attend, the presentation can be viewed by clicking here, or it can be found in the "Downloads" section of this web site.
If you were unable to attend, the presentation can be viewed by clicking here, or it can be found in the "Downloads" section of this web site.
Overhauling Preservation
Below is an article that was originally printed in the Omaha World Herald.
Overhauling preservation
By Jeffrey Robb WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Posted: 11/09/2011 1:00 AM
Omaha and Council Bluffs need a makeover of their historic preservation efforts to overcome a weak image and baggage from the past.
That's the conclusion of a new report written by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which urged preservationists in the two cities to step into the future.
To jump-start the efforts, the Omaha By Design organization announced Tuesday that it will launch a pilot project to create a historic zoning district for an Omaha neighborhood. After surveying dozens of people involved in preservation efforts and related fields in the community, the authors found that the local movement lacks vibrancy and that people don't consider historic preservation a community priority. In Omaha, the authors say the decades-old demolition of Jobbers Canyon outside the Old Market remains an open wound for many.
The report recognizes a number of successes over the years, including the revitalization of downtown Council Bluffs' historic 100 block of West Broadway and renovation of the TipTop building in north downtown and South Omaha's Livestock Exchange Building into apartments and commercial space.
The authors recommend improving the image of historic preservation, setting up a new leadership structure and capitalizing on incentives to promote projects.
The new report already is helping focus preservationists' efforts. In addition to the pilot zoning project, two leading Omaha preservation groups - Landmarks Inc. and Restore Omaha - are working to merge their organizations into a new advocacy group.
Connie Spellman, Omaha By Design's director, said she believes attitudes in the community toward preservation are shifting. "Let the past be the past and let's continue with the trend that's already starting to emerge," she said.
Omaha By Design, which has promoted conservation and development in established parts of Omaha, brought in the National Trust to provide an outsider's perspective amid concerns about lagging membership and funding among preservation groups. The report was funded through a grant by the Iowa West Foundation.
The authors found that a large group of people still bemoan the 1988-89 Jobbers Canyon demolition as a major defeat to preservation efforts.
In a controversial decision, city leaders approved the removal of the six-block warehouse district just outside the Old Market to make way for ConAgra's downtown campus. Although more than 20 warehouses were lost, Omaha kept ConAgra, gained a new base of downtown workers and sparked riverfront development. "Jobbers Canyon was a very unfortunate outcome," said Amy Cole, one of the report's authors. "But we must move forward."
The report says designation of local landmarks has all but stopped, use of historic tax credits for rehabilitation projects has slowed and the National Trust's Main Street program for historic downtowns is not active.
To boost local efforts, the National Trust recommends developing preservation incentives and implementing new zoning protections for older neighborhoods.
The City of Omaha's urban design rules allow individual areas to seek city approval of a neighborhood conservation district. But only two neighborhoods, Dundee and South 10th Street outside of downtown, have districts in place.
Omaha By Design plans to pick a neighborhood in the coming weeks and tailor preservation and building design rules to that area by March. The City Council will need to approve the zoning district.
With a template in hand, Omaha By Design hopes other neighborhoods can replicate the zoning district for their own areas, Spellman said.
Overall, preservationists need to develop a more positive message about successful projects and benefits to the community, the report says. And local groups should reach out to neighborhood groups, young community leaders and environmentally conscious people interested in conservation.
Restore Omaha is cited as a bright spot. The group first organized a conference in 2005 to give restoration advice to owners of Omaha's older homes. In addition to the annual conference, Restore Omaha held a historic restoration tour last month in Council Bluffs.
Now, Restore Omaha and Landmarks Inc., which formed in 1965 out of a failed effort to save Omaha's historic post office, are working on a merger.
Nicole Malone, committee chairwoman for Restore Omaha, said the two organizations have a lot of the same leaders.
The new, as-yet-unnamed organization would focus on advocacy and run the Restore Omaha conference and tour, Malone said. It would use Landmarks' existing nonprofit status for fundraising.
"If you can't move forward," Malone said, "you don't survive."
In Council Bluffs, Jim Kieffer, president for Preserve Council Bluffs, said the new report has provided direction for his organization. Kieffer said he will do more to get out information on financial incentives for restoration projects. "There really are things we can do here to make a difference."
Contact the writer:
402-444-1128, jeff.robb@owh.com
twitter.com/jeffreyrobb
Overhauling preservation
By Jeffrey Robb WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Posted: 11/09/2011 1:00 AM
Omaha and Council Bluffs need a makeover of their historic preservation efforts to overcome a weak image and baggage from the past.
That's the conclusion of a new report written by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which urged preservationists in the two cities to step into the future.
To jump-start the efforts, the Omaha By Design organization announced Tuesday that it will launch a pilot project to create a historic zoning district for an Omaha neighborhood. After surveying dozens of people involved in preservation efforts and related fields in the community, the authors found that the local movement lacks vibrancy and that people don't consider historic preservation a community priority. In Omaha, the authors say the decades-old demolition of Jobbers Canyon outside the Old Market remains an open wound for many.
The report recognizes a number of successes over the years, including the revitalization of downtown Council Bluffs' historic 100 block of West Broadway and renovation of the TipTop building in north downtown and South Omaha's Livestock Exchange Building into apartments and commercial space.
The authors recommend improving the image of historic preservation, setting up a new leadership structure and capitalizing on incentives to promote projects.
The new report already is helping focus preservationists' efforts. In addition to the pilot zoning project, two leading Omaha preservation groups - Landmarks Inc. and Restore Omaha - are working to merge their organizations into a new advocacy group.
Connie Spellman, Omaha By Design's director, said she believes attitudes in the community toward preservation are shifting. "Let the past be the past and let's continue with the trend that's already starting to emerge," she said.
Omaha By Design, which has promoted conservation and development in established parts of Omaha, brought in the National Trust to provide an outsider's perspective amid concerns about lagging membership and funding among preservation groups. The report was funded through a grant by the Iowa West Foundation.
The authors found that a large group of people still bemoan the 1988-89 Jobbers Canyon demolition as a major defeat to preservation efforts.
In a controversial decision, city leaders approved the removal of the six-block warehouse district just outside the Old Market to make way for ConAgra's downtown campus. Although more than 20 warehouses were lost, Omaha kept ConAgra, gained a new base of downtown workers and sparked riverfront development. "Jobbers Canyon was a very unfortunate outcome," said Amy Cole, one of the report's authors. "But we must move forward."
The report says designation of local landmarks has all but stopped, use of historic tax credits for rehabilitation projects has slowed and the National Trust's Main Street program for historic downtowns is not active.
To boost local efforts, the National Trust recommends developing preservation incentives and implementing new zoning protections for older neighborhoods.
The City of Omaha's urban design rules allow individual areas to seek city approval of a neighborhood conservation district. But only two neighborhoods, Dundee and South 10th Street outside of downtown, have districts in place.
Omaha By Design plans to pick a neighborhood in the coming weeks and tailor preservation and building design rules to that area by March. The City Council will need to approve the zoning district.
With a template in hand, Omaha By Design hopes other neighborhoods can replicate the zoning district for their own areas, Spellman said.
Overall, preservationists need to develop a more positive message about successful projects and benefits to the community, the report says. And local groups should reach out to neighborhood groups, young community leaders and environmentally conscious people interested in conservation.
Restore Omaha is cited as a bright spot. The group first organized a conference in 2005 to give restoration advice to owners of Omaha's older homes. In addition to the annual conference, Restore Omaha held a historic restoration tour last month in Council Bluffs.
Now, Restore Omaha and Landmarks Inc., which formed in 1965 out of a failed effort to save Omaha's historic post office, are working on a merger.
Nicole Malone, committee chairwoman for Restore Omaha, said the two organizations have a lot of the same leaders.
The new, as-yet-unnamed organization would focus on advocacy and run the Restore Omaha conference and tour, Malone said. It would use Landmarks' existing nonprofit status for fundraising.
"If you can't move forward," Malone said, "you don't survive."
In Council Bluffs, Jim Kieffer, president for Preserve Council Bluffs, said the new report has provided direction for his organization. Kieffer said he will do more to get out information on financial incentives for restoration projects. "There really are things we can do here to make a difference."
Contact the writer:
402-444-1128, jeff.robb@owh.com
twitter.com/jeffreyrobb
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