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

Civil War Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants
American Battlefield Protection Program Battlefield Grants
Historic Barn Preservation Program Grants
National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Grants
National Maritime Heritage Grants

Civil War Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Recipients: State and local governments
www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/grants/LWCF/LWCFAcquisitionGrants.htm

Land acquisition grants are available through the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service for the purchase of battlefield land or protective interest in such land at threatened Civil War battlefields. In FY 2008, $5 million is available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for this program. A dollar-for-dollar non-Federal match is required.

American Battlefield Protection Program Battlefield Grants
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Recipients: Federal, tribal, state, and local governments; private-sector organizations
www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/funding.htmm

The American Battlefield Protection Program also funds grants to assist in planning for, studying, and interpreting historic battlefields. Most recipients in this program contribute matching funds or in-kind services. In FY 2007, approximately $492,184 was awarded.

Historic Barn Preservation Program Grants
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Recipients: State Departments of Agriculture; State Historic Preservation Offices; national or State non-profit organizations

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, known as the "Farm Bill" and signed by President Bush on May 13, 2002, created the Historic Barn Preservation Program, in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will undertake research and disseminate information on the history and preservation needs of historic barns.

The program also includes a grant component, whereby USDA will grant funds to States and non-profit organizations to preserve and rehabilitate historic barns. To date, this program has not been funded.

National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Grants
Federal Agency: Federal Highway Administration
Recipients: State Departments of Transportation
www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/covered.htm

As part of the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program, the Federal Highway Administration undertakes research and disseminates information on the history and preservation needs of historic covered bridges. The program also includes a grant component, whereby States can apply for grants to preserve and rehabilitate these historic properties. In FY 2006, $8.613 million was allocated.

National Maritime Heritage Grants
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Recipients: State and local governments; private nonprofit organizations
www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/grants.htm

The National Park Service's Maritime Heritage Program has a grants program for maritime heritage education and preservation projects, but currently there is no grant funding available. National Maritime Heritage Grants are to be funded with 25 percent of the proceeds from scrapping vessels of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. However, problems concerning environmental and worker safety issues have led to delays in vessel disposal, resulting in no funding for the program at this time.

National Wildlife Refuge System "Preserve America" Grant Program
Federal Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service
Recipients: Nonprofit organizations (in partnership with National Wildlife Refuges)
www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Browse_All_Programs&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=8032

These grants help fund national wildlife refuge interpretive and education projects focusing on history and historic sites and how they contribute to our conservation and understanding of natural resources. Fundable projects include renovation, restoration, or conservation of historic structures, buildings, and museum collections that will contribute directly to refuge interpretive, education or other visitor programs. Other projects eligible for funding include development of interpretive materials, educational programs, and publications on refuge history and historic properties. In 2007, $126,000 was awarded to 11 projects.

Updated May 16, 2008

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