Tulsa Designated as ‘Preserve America Community’
First Lady Laura Bush, honorary chair of the Preserve America initiative, recently honored Tulsa by designating it as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities. Mayor Kathy Taylor will receive an official announcement certificate signed by Mrs. Bush.
“Becoming a Preserve America Community confirms what Tulsans have known for many years – that our community has a rich collection of historic resources that are of interest to heritage tourists,” Mayor Taylor said. “We are especially excited about achieving this designation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference coming to Tulsa in October 2008.”
Tulsa’s designation for this honor comes through the efforts of the City Planning Department working with the Tulsa Preservation Commission. The Preservation Commission is a 15-member board that identifies and nominates properties to the National Register of Historic Places, administers local Historic Preservation Zoning, and produces educational material describing Tulsa’s historic resources. More information is available online.
Preserve America Communities receive national recognition and certain benefits. These include use of the Preserve America logo on signs and promotional materials, eligibility for Preserve America grants, notification to state tourism offices, and listing in a Web-based directory that showcases Tulsa’s preservation efforts and heritage tourism destinations. Preserve America Communities also are featured in National Register Travel Itineraries and in “Teaching With Historic Places” curricular materials created by the National Park Service.