MAY IS

NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH "Making Preservation Work!"

Citizens in Saint Joseph will join thousands of individuals around the country as part of a nationwide celebration of 2007 National Preservation Month in May 2007. “Making Preservation Work!" is the theme of the month-long celebration, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In Saint Joseph, Preservation Month 2007 will be observed by Heritage Action’s annual Reception for Historic Preservation Month.  Heritage Action has taken the national theme and morphed it into a more fitting local theme – “MAKING PRESERVATION A PRIORITY!”  Heritage Action is working diligently to encourage this concept.

While there are many ways to make preservation a priority, one particular concept will be the focus at this year’s reception:  CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM and how DOWNTOWNS play a vital role in that effort. 

KAREN GRAVES, a local authority on Cultural Heritage Tourism will kick off the evening speaking on the subject.  The keynote speaker planned for the THURSDAY MAY 24th event will be Saint Joseph native former Mayor KAY BARNES of Kansas City, MO; she will discuss the revitalization of Downtown Kansas City.  The event will be held at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art beginning at 5:30 pm with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.  The speakers will take the stage around 6:15.

In addition, Photographer Megan Wyeth, along with some of the writers, will be on hand with copies of their recent book Mount Mora 1851.  The limited-issue books will be on-hand for $30 each, 100% of the proceeds going towards the general fund for the historic cemetery (a cultural heritage tourist site).

The subject matter of this event is timely as the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) Team begins their endeavor to revitalize Downtown Saint Joseph.  Coupled with the recent presentation by Angelos Angelou, an Austin, TX economic development consultant who is suggesting ‘downtown needs its own strategy in order to be more appealing to young workers and technology companies.’  Mayor Barnes has first-hand experience with a large downtown revitalization planning as Kansas City is well on its way with its Power & Light District. 

Moreover, the tourism season is about here and with Saint Joseph continuing to receive more national attention, as well as the pending release of Brad Pitt’s “The Assassination of Jesse James,” we, as a city, have a unique opportunity to pull together to preserve our history and promote our city in a manner everyone can be proud of. 

For more information about National Preservation Month visit http://www.nationaltrust.org/preservationmonth/

posted May 1, 2007 pk

updated May 15, 2007 pk