HIGHTSTOWN — The borough was honored recently when Michelle Obama, first lady of the United States, designated it as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities.
“Congratulations on your designation as a Preserve America Community, and thank you for all that you do to enhance our nation’s heritage,” the letter from Ms. Obama to Mayor Larry Quattrone said. “Your community holds a treasured place in the American story, and it is through your vision and dedication that our history will be upheld and our future will be renewed…”
Mayor Quattrone received the letter dated July 16 and will receive a certificate of designation signed by Ms. Obama, announcing that the Hightstown is now a Preserve America Community.
Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their accomplishments in preserving special places and telling the nation’s story.
Through the borough’s preservation efforts and heritage tourism, its destinations will be featured in “Discover Our Shared Heritage” National Register Travel Itineraries, as well as in the “Teaching with Historic Places” curricular materials created by the National Park Service.
The Preserve America program became an authorized part of the national historic preservation program when President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 on March 30, 2009. With this group of designations, 900 Preserve America Communities have been designated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories, including historic neighborhoods within large cities, and tribal communities.
Hightstown is honored to have been designated and is proud of its rich cultural and natural history, according to Mayor Quattrone, who commended the Historic Preservation Commission and its Chairman Rick Pratt and Vice Chairman Will Carney for their efforts and dedication toward Hightstown Borough’s designation as a Preserve America Community; a community engaged in preserving and celebrating its distinctive heritage to improve the quality of life for residents as well as the visitor experience for travelers. He also cordially invites everyone to visit and enjoy the history and culture that Hightstown Borough has to offer.
The Preserve America program is a federal effort to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of our communities. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation administers the Preserve America program with the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the White House and 10 other federal agencies.
To learn more about Hightstown, visit www.hightstownborough.com.
