Vote for the National Trust!

Many of you may know that the Tenement Museum is affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This organization provides funds and advocacy for historic sites across America, from mid-century drive-in movie theaters to Civil War cemeteries to historic houses. They also help preservationists, historians, and communities protect the places that matter to them.

Right now, the Trust is vying to win $20,000 from American Express. If they win, the funds will support the This Place Matters campaign. View their Flickr slideshow to see the multitude of places nationwide who are part of this project. You'll see just how many people care about their communities, and about the buildings, businesses, parks, homes, forts, theaters, courthouses, museums, grain silos, and other places that make up the towns and cities they call home. Who knew that the Sacramento downtown railyards were important to somebody? Or the Molly Brown House Museum in Colorado? It's pretty inspiring to see all the people around the country who are fighting to protect and share the places that are important to them.

So, if you have a moment this week, vote for the National Trust! They are close to winning and every vote counts.