Nominations sought for endangered historic places

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for the 2006 America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list until Jan. 18.

Each year, the National Trust issues this list to identify and raise awareness of historic sites at risk from neglect, deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. Since 1988, the list has been one of the most successful tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. The 2006 list will be announced in early June.

"The America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list has been a powerful wake-up call, alerting people to treasures in trouble and rousing efforts to save them," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "This list has helped save some very significant pieces of our nation's heritage, and we're extremely proud of that fact - but past successes are not enough. Important historic sites are still in danger, and we must continue to protect the places that tell America's story."

The list has brought national attention to 168 significant buildings, sites and landscapes. At times, that attention has garnered public support to quickly rescue a treasured landmark; while in other instances, it has been the impetus of a long battle to save an important piece of our history. The America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list has been so successful in educating the public about the importance of preserving our nation's history that more than 20 states and many communities now publish their own lists of endangered historic places.

Among the many sites that have been listed are Vieux Carré in New Orleans; Ellis Island in New York Harbor; the Kennecott Copper Mines in Alaska; Bethlehem Steel Plant in Bethlehem, Pa.; Ennis House in Los Angeles; and "The Journey Through Hallowed Ground" Corridor in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Each represents preservation challenges facing thousands of communities.

To ensure that the most threatened sites are chosen, the National Trust uses three primary criteria to determine the 11 finalists: significance, urgency, and potential solutions. For information about the application process and to download the application, visit www.nationaltrust.org/11Most/nomination.html or call (202) 588-6141. Completed nominations must be postmarked by Jan. 18.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to protect the irreplaceable places that tell America's story.

Staff at the Washington, D.C., headquarters, six regional offices and 26 historic sites work with the Trust's 270,000 members and thousands of preservation groups in all 50 states. For more details, visit the Trust's Web site at www.nationaltrust.org