You are here

Home » Park Service Awards $7 Million In Inaugural Semiquincentennial Grant Program

Park Service Awards $7 Million In Inaugural Semiquincentennial Grant Program

Share
By Compiled From N... - August 12th, 2022

Major Reuben Colburn House in Pittstown, Maine/Artifex Architects & Engineers

The National Park Service has awarded $7 million in the inaugural round of funding for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Created by Congress in 2020 and funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, this round of grants will support 17 cultural resource preservation projects across 12 states. 

“National parks and National Park Service programs serve to tell authentic and complete history, provide opportunities for exploring the legacies that impact us today and contribute to healing and understanding,” said Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Through the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, we are supporting projects that showcase the many places and stories that contributed to the evolution of the American experience.” 

The first round of grants from this program will support projects like: 

  • The rehabilitation of the Colburn House in Pittston, Maine. Major Colburn worked with local Indigenous leaders and colonists to map a water trail route and quickly construct small boats for Benedict Arnold’s campaign to seize Quebec in 1775.  

  • The Catoctin Furnace in Thurmont, Maryland, will receive a grant to upgrade the HVAC system in the Museum of the Ironworker, where stories and artifacts related to early industry and labor, both free and enslaved, are interpreted to the public.  

  • In Wisconsin, Lizard Mound State Park will receive a grant to remove invasive trees and reroute walking trails on a 20-acre site containing 28 ceremonial mounds constructed between 750 and 1250 AD. 

Congress appropriated funding for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program in FY2021 through the Historic Preservation Fund. The HPF uses revenue from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, assisting with a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars, with the intent to mitigate the loss of a nonrenewable resource to benefit the preservation of other irreplaceable resources.

Established in 1977, the HPF is authorized at $150 million per year through 2023 and has provided more than $2 billion in historic preservation grants to states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Administered by the NPS, HPF funds may be appropriated by Congress to support a variety of historic preservation projects to help preserve the nation’s cultural resources.

StateCityProjectsGranteeAward
ArizonaTubacRehabilitation of Tubac Presidio State Historic ParkFriends of the Tubac Presidio and Museum, Inc.$121,000
ConnecticutGuilfordRehabilitation of the Henry Whitfield HouseConnecticut Department of Economic and Community Development$500,000
KentuckyTompkinsvilleRehabilitation of the Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic SiteCommonwealth of Kentucky$180,000
MarylandAnnapolisJames Brice House Window RestorationHistoric Annapolis Foundation$500,000
MarylandThurmontStabilization of the Ironmaster's Mansion at Catoctin FurnaceCatoctin Furnace Historical Society$314,000
MarylandThurmontRehabilitation of the Museum of the Ironworker at Catoctin FurnaceCatoctin Furnace Historical Society$291,000
MainePittstonRehabilitation of the Colburn House State Historic SiteMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry$500,000
New JerseyPrincetonRehabilitation of the Mansion and Grounds of MorvenHistoric Morven, Inc.$500,000
New JerseyHaddonfieldRehabilitation of the Indian King Tavern Building EnvelopeNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection$500,000
New JerseySomervillePreservation of the Wallace House and Old Dutch ParsonageNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection$500,000
New YorkYoungstownMasonry Preservation at Old Fort Niagara State Historic SiteNew York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation$500,000
North CarolinaRaleighPreservation of Colonial Brunswick TownNorth Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources$500,000
PennsylvaniaCheyneyRehabilitation of Melrose CottageCheyney University of Pennsylvania$500,000
Rhode IslandProvidenceExterior Preservation of the Governor Stephen Hopkins HouseExecutive Office of the State of Rhode Island$424,000
VirginiaBerryvilleRehabilitation of the Main House, Smoke House, and Spring House at Clermont FarmClermont Farm Foundation$472,000
VirginiaWhite MarshRehabilitation of the Timberneck House at Machicomoco State ParkFairfield Foundation, Inc.$500,000
WisconsinMadisonLizard Mound Site EnhancementsWisconsin Department of Natural Resources$290,000

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.