The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has announced the allocation of $23 million for tribal historic preservation projects and $62.15 million for historic preservation projects across all 50 states, several territories, partnering nations, and the District of Columbia. The funding originates from the Historic Preservation Fund.
According to the NPS, state and local preservation grants necessitate a 10% passthrough from state governments to more than 2,200 certified local governments (CLGs). These passthroughs are distributed through competitive grant programs.
"The National Park Service is proud to support our state, Tribal, and local partners with annual funding that helps them preserve their significant historic and cultural places. Importantly, these grants aid communities across the country to invest in local stewardship of treasured resources," said Chuck Sams, NPS director in a news release dated May 6.
In the fiscal year 2023, Congress appropriated approximately $204.5 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which is administered by the NPS as per the HPF's 2023 annual report. Of this total sum, $62.15 million was distributed to State Historic Preservation Offices; $23 million went to Tribal Preservation Offices and Heritage Grants; African American Civil Rights organizations received $24 million; Historically Black Colleges and Universities were granted $11 million; organizations focused on History of Equal Rights received $5 million; Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Program was allocated $12.5 million; Save American Treasures received $26.5 million while underrepresented communities, Congressionally directed spending, and Semiquincentennial were allocated a total of $40.365 million.
Past disbursements from Tribal Preservation Grants have enabled initiatives such as those by the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria who used their funds to educate others on various cultural activities like "dressmaking, regalia, motherhood, basket weaving, and archery" during weekly classes focused on their culture. Similarly, another Tribal Preservation Grant enabled the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Tribal historic preservation office to work with four properties eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
