Stowe House moves closer to designation as national historic landmark

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.)

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in line to get $150K in federal funds

President Obama has before him legislation that would provide $150,000 in federal aid to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center.

The legislation, the 2010 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act, was approved on 72-28 vote in the Senate on Thursday, just hours after the House passed it, 247-178. The basics are reported on in Government Executive; to find the Stowe money, go to page 19 of this list of earmarks (PDF).

The House vote prompted the following news release from Congressman John B. Larson, whose district includes Hartford:

"Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed broad legislation that makes targeted investments in our nation’s natural and cultural resources. Included in the legislation was $150,000 in funding, supported by U.S. Congressman John B. Larson, to preserve the home and historical collections at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford.

"Harriet Beecher Stowe is the celebrated author of the antislavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, the 19th century bestseller. Her 1871 home and the center has over 200,000 artifacts and documents and holds the collection of materials of important themes of 19th century America including the women suffrage movement and slavery. The Center’s archives are also utilized by local and international scholars, including recent Pulitzer Prize recipients.

"'As a former history teacher, I believe it is important to ensure that future generations understand the history that came before them. Harriet Beecher Stowe was truly a remarkable woman, whose writing of social justice positively altered the very landscape of our nation.  I’m proud our state and the City of Hartford are home to a rich history, and we must continue to protect it by fostering greater access to our cultural past,' said Congressman Larson.

"The Interior Appropriations Act makes key investments in protecting the nation’s environment and supporting historical conservation. Also, the bill supports projects of excellence for the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities."