Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), co-chairs of the Historic Preservation Caucus, joined by Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15) and Congresswoman Sara Elfreth (NJ-03), introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which expired in 2023. This legislation would extend the HPF for 10 years, ensuring continued federal support for the preservation and rehabilitation of historically significant sites across the country.
“The Historic Preservation Fund has been a cornerstone of protecting America’s heritage. By reinvesting offshore drilling royalties into preserving historic sites, we ensure that future generations can experience the history of our country,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “This legislation will reauthorize the critical funding that supports the preservation of projects both here in the Miami Valley and across the nation.”
“As a little girl, my parents instilled in me the importance of understanding the pain we have endured and all that we can celebrate. It is our story, our language, our herencia. It makes us who we are,” said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández. “We must continue and expand the Historic Preservation Fund’s work so we can better tell these American stories, support rural economies, and facilitate responsible development. That’s why I am proud to support this bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund and increase its annual deposits.”
“Historic preservation is essential to preserving the culture of our nation. Reauthorization of the Historic Preservation Fund is critical for maintaining the history and character of our communities,” said Congressman Carey. “Historic preservation projects, like the South High School renovation in Columbus, are helping to alleviate housing shortages and boost economic growth. I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to preserve our history and build a better future.”
“I have the privilege of representing a district rich with American history – from George Washington's historic resignation in the Maryland State House in Annapolis to the Patapsco Female Institute pioneering education for women in Ellicott City,” said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. “Each of our districts has played a distinct and critical role in the fabric of our nation, which is why I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to ensure our communities’ stories are told for generations to come through the Historic Preservation Fund.”
Background:
In 1976, the Historic Preservation Fund first awarded funding to Historic Preservation projects across the country. Historic Preservation Fund funding comes from U.S. offshore drilling royalties. This fund serves as an umbrella fund for many federal preservation projects, including the Save America’s Treasures program, which has supported several projects in the Miami Valley over the past 25 years. Congressman Turner’s legislation would reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund ensuring that these projects continue to receive their funding.
Timeline:
1998 Save America’s Treasures (SAT) was established by President Bill Clinton through Executive Order.
About SAT: Save America's Treasures is a U.S. federal government initiative to preserve and protect historic buildings, arts, and published works. It is a public–private partnership between the U.S. National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services are also partners in the work.
1999 $13 million was awarded to 22 projects, including:
• The 1905 Wright Flyer III, Dayton, OH;
• Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Barn, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Dayton, OH.
2007 First Lady Laura Bush and Rep. Turner announced the bill to codify SAT dubbed “The Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures Act.”
https://doi.gov/sites/default/files/archive/news/archive/07_News_Releases/071031.html
2008 Rep. Turner penned an op-ed about “The Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures Act” https://turner.house.gov/2008/5/historic-preservation-important-to-communities
On July 8, “The Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures Act” passed the House 360 – 23.
2009 Legislation codifying Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures was signed by President Obama as part of an omnibus funding package in March.
2016 The National Park Service Centennial Act, which included Rep. Turner’s bill to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund through 2023, was signed into law by President Obama.
2018 Wright Company Factory added to Dayton’s National Park for Aviation Heritage, expanding the scope of the park along W. Third St, now allowing the opportunity for federal funding under the HPF.
https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/wright-company-factory-named-daytons-newest-national-park-site/
2019 Two Wright airplane factory buildings, also on W. Third St., were placed on the national historic registry, allowing them to access HPF dollars.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/dayton-gets-new-national-park-wright-factory-placed-historic-registry/hyGkA68C8Xk5U7lBMI1afN/
2022 For Fiscal Year 2023, Rep. Turner led the Historic Preservation Caucus in securing $175 million for the HPF, including $26.5 million for the Save America’s Treasures Program.
Rep. Turner secured $800k for the Dayton Art Institute. Funding comes from Save America’s Treasures Program.
https://www.wyso.org/local-and-statewide-news/2023-02-15/congressman-mike-turner-helps-secure-funding-for-dayton-art-institute
2023 Rep. Turner introduced legislation to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund for an additional 10 years.