The nomination of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House for national historic landmark status cleared another hurdle in Washington last week, with the National Historic Landmark Committee giving its unanimous
approval and sending the nomination on to the National Park System
Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board must now make its recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior, who has the final say.
According to the National Park Service, fewer than 2,500 places in the U.S. have historic landmark designation. It is reserved for places that "possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States." Among other things, a national historic landmark designation can open the door to grants, tax incentives, and technical preservation assistance from the federal government.
Connecticut's two senators, Joseph I. Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal, along with 1st District Congressman John B. Larson, issued statements expressing their continued support of the effort.
"Harriet Beecher Stowe left an indelible mark on American history, and through the preservation of her house in Hartford, current and future generations can come to learn and appreciate her extraordinary accomplishments and the lasting legacy they have had," Larson said.
Here's the National Park Service's nomination of the Stowe house, complete with historic and current photographs (PDF, 40 pages). Here's a two-page summary (PDF.) And here's a list of the Connecticut properties that have won designation (PDF, 3 pages.)
