American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Award More Than $1 Million in Grants to Five National Treasure Sites

Sites capture the American experience and connect communities to
the history of their parks

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation today
announced $1 million in funding to support the restoration and
preservation of five National Treasure sites, in or adjacent to National
Parks. National Treasures are endangered buildings, neighborhoods,
communities and landscapes that reveal the vibrancy of the American
story.

These grants complement a $5
million commitment made earlier this year by American Express to
increase volunteerism and encourage people of all backgrounds to
rediscover their parks – particularly in urban areas. These accessible
sites represent a unique perspective on the American experience.

“The parks receiving these generous grants from American Express reflect
important chapters in our nation’s rich history, from Negro League
Baseball to architectural Modernism, and the railroad boom to the Civil
Rights Era,” said Stephanie K. Meeks, president and CEO, National Trust
for Historic Preservation. “American Express’ timely support of these
preservation projects at such diverse places will give more Americans
access to appreciate these National Treasures for generations to come.”

“As the presenting partner of the National Treasures program, American
Express has pledged to save and sustain historic places that represent
our country’s rich history,” said Timothy J. McClimon, president,
American Express Foundation. “The sites we have selected to receive
funding reflect the great diversity of the American experience. By
preserving these sites, we are helping to ensure their legacy and
cultural significance for future generations.”

The National Treasures receiving grants are:

• Hinchliffe Stadium (Paterson, New Jersey): Opened in 1932, the
  cast concrete, art-deco style stadium is one of the few remaining
  sports grounds in the country associated with Negro League baseball.
  In 1997, the stadium closed because of a lack of funding and
  structural issues. This grant will preserve two original ticket booths
  at the entrance to the complex.
• Pullman Historic District (Chicago, Illinois): Built in 1880,
  the nation’s first model industrial town attracted skilled workers to
  the Pullman Palace Car Company, where the first African-American labor
  union was born. Today, the district is a National Monument, and
  showcases a revitalized historic neighborhood that honors the
  important role the town’s residents played in American history. This
  grant will restore the original multicolored, stained-glass windows at
  the Hotel Florence.
• Painted Desert Community Complex (Petrified Forest National Park,
  Arizona): Completed in 1963, the collection of steel, glass, and
  masonry buildings, designed by modernist architect Richard Neutra, are
  one of the earliest examples of modern architecture in a National
  Park. The complex is still in use today, but limited funding for
  repairs and maintenance have impaired the condition of the buildings.
  This grant will restore the glass storefront of the Oasis Building.
• Sweet Auburn Historic District (Atlanta, Georgia): Listed on
  the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the Martin
  Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, located in the district,
  commemorates the leader’s birthplace and significance within the
  American Civil Rights Movement. This grant will fund the preservation
  of five Victorian and shotgun homes on Dr. King’s childhood street.

The fifth grantee will be announced at a later date.

American Express is deeply committed to historic preservation and has
provided more than $50 million in grants to preserve more than 500
historic places globally. Since 2013, American Express has served as the
Presenting Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s
National Treasures program, which aims to save endangered cultural and
historic places across the United States of America. Through the
program, American Express has supported the preservation of National
Treasures throughout the country including: Haas-Lilienthal House (San
Francisco, California), Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 (Boston,
Massachusetts), Miami Marine Stadium (Miami, Florida) and Union Station
(Washington, D.C).

Mr. McClimon today will speak about American Express’ commitment to
preservation at PastForward,
the National Preservation Conference, in Washington, D.C.

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with
access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build
business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com
and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress,
foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express,
twitter.com/americanexpress,
and youtube.com/americanexpress.

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About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National
Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately-funded nonprofit
organization, works to save America’s historic places.

Learn more at www.savingplaces.org
and connect with us on www.facebook.com/NationalTrustforHistoricPreservation and www.twitter.com/savingplaces.

Contacts

Media:
American Express
Jocelyn Seidenfeld, 212-640-0555
jocelyn.f.seidenfeld@aexp.com
or
National
Trust for Historic Preservation
Andy Grabel, 202-588-6025
agrabel@savingplaces.org