Washington Trust for Historic Preservation — Advocacy Alert: Preservation Priorities for Congress

As Congress deliberates over the next economic stimulus package to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need your help to ensure they remember the critical role that historic preservation can play in recovery efforts.

Preservation has a proven track record of bolstering our civic, social, and economic systems. Our historic places can help ground us by reminding us of where we come from and the stories our communities share. Historic places aren’t just bricks and mortar—they serve as touchstones to our memories with people we love, local businesses we care about, art that has moved us, and so much more.

Not only do historic places define our communities, they are integral to our local economies. Preserving historic places and reinvigorating our Main Streets go hand-in-hand—historic buildings need the kind of activity, creativity, and investment that local businesses excel at providing. Supporting our local economies by safeguarding historic places will be critical to weathering this crisis while keeping our communities intact.

The Washington Trust, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and advocates from across the country, has identified several critical national policies that will help activate the power of preservation to support our communities in their recovery efforts:

$420 million in funding for the Historic Preservation Fund, which will be distributed to local and statewide projects.
Support for the Restore America’s Main Street Act, which would provide a tax rebate for small businesses, many of which are struggling to survive in the current climate.
Improvements to the Historic Tax Credit that would provide more incentive for rehabilitation projects, especially in smaller and rural Main Street communities.
$9.5 billion in funding for rehabilitation of our National Parks and other public historic assets through the Great American Outdoors Act.
$100 million to fund a Main Street Community Recovery and Revitalization Program that would support Main Street Coordinating programs and provide direct support to Main Street businesses.

All of these proposals build on existing programs with proven economic benefits to our communities. We strongly believe that they will activate the power of preservation in helping our nation recover from the current crisis.

With the National Trust for Historic Preservation and other advocates, the Washington Trust has sent a joint letter to Congress in support of these changes. We’re also working with our partners across the state to advocate for these policies amongst Washington’s Congressional Delegation.

But, to really make these proposals heard, we need your help. We ask you to contact your senators and representatives and remind them of the powerful role preservation must play in this moment.

See below to find contact information for your congressional representatives and sample text to use in your email—and we encourage you to draft your own story as part of the request!

Sample Text

Dear [Senator/Representative Name],

As Congress deliberates over the next economic stimulus package to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I urge you to remember the critical role that historic preservation can play in recovery efforts.

I urge you to support the following policies as you consider the next steps towards recovery:

$420 million in supplemental funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. This includes: $120 million to State Historic/Tribal Historic Preservation Offices for survey, mapping and pass-through grants to local communities; $75 million for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program; $75 million for the Save America’s Treasures Grant Program; $75 million for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program; and $75 million for grant funds to sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement.
Support the Restore America’s Main Street Act (H.R. 6619) which would provide a tax rebate for small businesses, many of which are struggling to survive in the current climate.
Support the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (S. 2615/H.R. 2825). The HTC-GO legislation would enhance the HTC by encouraging more building reuse and further incentivizing redevelopment in all communities, including our smaller and rural Main Street communities.
Support the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422), which will provide $9.5 billion in funding for rehabilitation of our National Parks and other public historic assets through the Great American Outdoors Act.
$100 million to fund a Main Street Community Recovery and Revitalization Program, a proposal by Main Street America, that would support Main Street Coordinating programs and provide direct support to Main Street businesses.

All of these proposals build on existing programs with proven economic and cultural benefits to our communities. I urge you to support these measures to activate the power of preservation in support of recovery efforts.

Thank you,

[Your Name Here]

Contact Information for Members of Congress

Senator Maria Cantwell: email or call (202) 224-3441

Senator Patty Murray: email or call (202) 224-2621

Representative Suzan DelBene, 1^st District: email or call (202) 225-6311

Representative Rick Larsen, 2^nd: email or call (202) 225-2605

Representative Jamie Herrera Beutler, 3^rd: email or call (202) 225-3536

Representative Dan Newhouse, 4^th: email or call (202) 225-5816

Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, 5^th: email or call (202) 225-2006

Representative Derek Kilmer, 6^th: email or call (202) 225-5916

Representative Pramila Jayapal, 7^th: email or call (202) 225-3106

Representative Kim Schrier, 8^th: email or call (202) 225-7761

Representative Adam Smith, 9^th: email or call (202) 225-8901

Representative Denny Heck, 10^th: email or call (202) 225-9740

Not sure who your Representative is? Search your address here to find out.