Texarkana Mayor Allen Brown Declares May as Preservation Month
Texarkana Mayor Allen L. Brown has declared May as Preservation Month. “At the Department of Arkansas Heritage, we focus on preservation year-round,” said Stacy Hurst, state historic preservation officer and director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. “But during the month of May, we highlight the richness of our state’s historic sites and structures, especially those listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We encourage the citizens of our state to join with us in celebrating Preservation Month this May.”
A list of National Register properties can be found at http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/Historic-Properties/National-Register/search-national-register-listings
The proclamation states, according to a press release, that historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability; and that historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, walks of life and ethnic backgrounds.
According to the National Park Service website which oversees the National Register of Historic Places, “During the month of May many events are planned to promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, promoting heritage tourism, and showing the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. Thousands of people participate annually in Preservation Month celebrations.” The National Trust for Historic Preservation established the proclamation program in 1973, to encourage awareness of preservation across the country. The event is traditionally co-sponsored by preservation groups, such as Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and the Department of Arkansas Heritage, as well as state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country.
Citizens are encouraged to visit historic places near them, include historic places in lesson plans, seek out preservation programs, and more. You can find local events through your county historical societies and state-wide programs at http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/News-and-Events/event-list.
The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is the Department of Arkansas Heritage division responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving the state’s cultural resources. Other divisions are the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Arkansas State Archives.