VOTING BEGINS IN THE PARTNERS FOR PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM

PARTNERS IN PRESERVATION UNVEILS 25 HISTORIC SITES Historic places in the Seattle-Puget Sound area to compete for $1 million in restoration grants WHEN:           Thursday, April 15 | 10 a.m. WHERE:        Daniels Recital Hall (formerly the First United Methodist Church of Seattle), 811 Fifth Avenue North, Seattle WHAT:           Partners in Preservation, a program sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express, will unveil 25 historic places in Seattle and the Puget Sound region that will be eligible for $1 million in preservation grants. WHO:             County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, First Gentleman Mike Gregoire, and representatives from all 25 historic sites, the National Trust and American Express are confirmed to attend. WHY:              These sites are asking for the public’s vote at www.partnersinpreservation.com until May 12. Winners of the voting contest will be guaranteed funding for critical preservation projects. Partners in Preservation is a program of American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation designed to help preserve historic places in the Seattle area, engage the community in preservation, drive tourism and stimulate economic development. The program also seeks to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic places at the heart of their communities.    About the Partners in Preservation Program Launched in 2006, Partners in Preservation is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, pledged $5.5 million over a five-year period toward preserving historic places throughout the United States.  American Express has already allocated $2.4 million in preservation grants, which has allowed recipients to make significant progress in achieving their preservation goals.  In this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America’s historic and cultural landmarks. The program also seeks to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic places at the heart of their communities.  

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.  Historic preservation has long been a hallmark of American Express’ involvement in the community, reflecting its recognition of the contribution of sites and monuments to a sense of national and local identity and the role that their preservation can play in attracting visitors and revitalizing neighborhoods. As early as 1983, American Express launched a cause-related marketing effort that raised $1.7 million for the preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. From 1996 to 2005, American Express contributed more than $10 million to help preserve 126 historic sites in 62 countries from the World Monuments Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites. In June 2006, the company announced the American Express Partners in Preservation initiative, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as its partner in the U.S. and the World Monuments Fund as its partner internationally. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress. About the National Trust for Historic Preservation The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices—including the Northeast Office in Boston—29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.