Home Return to Table of Contents: Sources of Financial Assistance for Historic Preservation Projects Federal Financial Assistance Specifically for Historic Preservation—Regional

National Heritage Areas Grants
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Recipients: Congressionally designated National Heritage Areas
www.cr.nps.gov/heritageareas/

Since 1984, Congress has created 37 national heritage areas. Heritage area designation recognizes the distinct history and geography of a region and the desire of residents to collaborate in preserving their cultural and natural resources and capitalizing on them to promote economic development, particularly through heritage tourism.

A few examples include the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area in Arizona, the Automobile National Heritage Area in Detroit, and the Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area. Each heritage area has a local management entity which works regionally to promote and coordinate historic preservation, heritage tourism, economic development, recreation, and public education initiatives.

As directed by Congress, the National Park Service (NPS) provides technical assistance and matching grant funds for the development and implementation of a management plan for each designated area. Such grants are funded through the Heritage Partnership Program in the NPS National Recreation and Preservation account. In FY 2008, $15.258 million is available.

Updated May 16, 2008

Return to Table of Contents: Sources of Financial Assistance for Historic Preservation Projects

Return to Top