FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2009
CONTACT: Jason Haug, Jason.Haug@state.sd.us, 605-773-6296
Gov. Rounds announces historic preservation grants
PIERRE, S.D. -- Historic preservation projects at Alcester, Hermosa, Lead, Mobridge, Turton, and Vermillion have received matching grants from the South Dakota State Historical Society, Gov. Mike Rounds announced today.
“This program is designed to encourage restoration or rehabilitation of historic properties,” said Gov. Rounds. “It is one more way we can promote and protect our history and culture for future generations.”
This is the 12th year for the historic preservation grants program, the Governor said.
”We have distributed more than $144,000 this fiscal year among a dozen projects, and more than $262,000 in local investments also were made in them,” Gov. Rounds said.
The grants are awarded through the South Dakota State Historical Society’s Deadwood Fund grant program. Funding for the effort comes from Deadwood gaming revenues that are earmarked by statute for historic preservation projects throughout the state. The program is administered by the State Historic Preservation Office in Pierre.
The latest round of projects to receive grants includes:
n StarSchool, Alcester vicinity, $15,000 for window repair
n Hermosa Masonic Lodge, Hermosa, $10,000 for foundation stabilization
n Homestake Opera House, Lead, $10,000 for restoration of the women’s lounge
n Scherr-Howe Auditorium, Mobridge, $15,000 for canopy and mural repair
n First Congregational Church, Turton, $11,393 for steeple restoration
n WashingtonStreetArtsCenter, Vermillion, $10,000 for window, gutter, and bell tower repairs
For more information on the South Dakota State Historical Society’s Deadwood Fund grant program, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, S.D., 57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458; or Web site www.sdhistory.org/HP/histpres.htm
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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South DakotaCulturalHeritageCenter in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.sdhistory.org for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.