Mike Turner Historic Preservation Legislation Hawthorn Hill Wright Company Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park
Rep. Turner’s Historic Preservation Legislation Up for Vote Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mike Turner (OH-03) has authored two pieces of legislation that will be voted on tomorrow by the House of Representatives. The two bills under consideration are H.R. 4199, which will add Hawthorn Hill and the Wright Company factory buildings to the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, and H.R. 3981, the Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures Act.
“The legislation under consideration today will benefit historic preservation on a local and national level,” Congressman Turner said. “Bringing the entire story of the Wright family together will have a significant impact on the Miami Valley. Our efforts to preserve our history will also benefit from Saving America’s Treasures and Preserve America becoming permanent programs.”
H.R. 4199 was authored by Congressman Turner and H.R.3981 was written in cooperation with Rep. Turner’s Historic Preservation Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC). In 2007, both Congressman Turner and Congressman Miller appeared with First Lady Laura Bush and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) at an event to announce the legislation.
The Wright Company Factory buildings in West Dayton are the first American facilities specifically designed and built for the manufacture of airplanes. Hawthorn Hill was designed by Wilbur and Orville Wright and was the home of the Wright family until 1948.
In addition to including the two local land marks as part of the Dayton Aviation heritage National Historic Park, Congressman Turner’s bill, H.R. 4199, authorizes grants for local community organizations such as Dayton History to help with operating costs. Addition of these sites to the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park is supported by the Wright family.
Saving America’s Treasures was created in 1998 and provides “bricks and mortar” support to preserve historic structures. Preserve America was started in 2001 to be used in collaboration with Saving America’s Treasures to help increase heritage tourism. Because both programs currently depend on executive orders for their continued existence, they could expire in a new presidential administration. H.R. 3981 will make both programs permanent once it is signed into law.
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