Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

In recognition of National Volunteer Month and Landscape Architecture Month, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is celebrating the many historic gardens around the nation that could not operate without their dedicated volunteers.

The ACHP declared Dunn Gardens in Seattle, Washington, a Preserve America Steward in 2016 for the core group of volunteers who help maintain and interpret the historic gardens, designed by the noted Olmsted Brothers landscaping firm for Arthur Dunn in 1915. The Olmsted Brothers’ design retained and enhanced many of the site’s natural features. Following Dunn’s death in 1945, the property was divided among family members.

The ACHP celebrates National Volunteer Month this April supporting the tireless volunteers who help keep America’s historic places open for the public to learn from and enjoy year round. One such group of volunteers works at Newark, New Jersey’s famous Essex County Branch Brook Park.

The park was named a Preserve America Steward in 2012 for the volunteer effort aimed at restoring and preserving this historic park, conceived of by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Sr. and designed by his sons. Branch Brook Park, America’s first county park dating  to 1895, provides 360 acres of green space in one of New Jersey’s most densely populated cities.

World Heritage Day, the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is being celebrated today--April 18. This year’s theme is Heritage for Generations to encourage intergenerational transfer of knowledge and celebrate youth leadership in cultural heritage.

Additionally, April is National Volunteer Month and the ACHP is honoring those who volunteer their time for historic preservation.

HistoriCorps, an organization that engages volunteers in historic preservation projects on public lands throughout the U.S., was designated as a Preserve America Steward for demonstrating a successful use of volunteer time and commitment in order to help care for the nation’s historic heritage.

April is National Volunteer Month, celebrating those who give of themselves by volunteering their time, energy, and skills to serving our communities and helping others. During this month and all year long, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation salutes the people and organizations who volunteer to support the cause of historic preservation.