NEW "100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS" PROGRAM ANNOUNCED TO HELP RESTORE &
PRESERVE LOCAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIALS ACROSS THE U.S.
MATCHING GRANT CHALLENGE IS LED BY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, THE PRITZKER
MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY, AND SUPPORTED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION & WORLD
WAR I MEMORIAL INVENTORY PROJECT
WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library have announced a new program to
help people across the country restore and preserve local World War I
memorials.
"100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS" is a fund-matching program, where groups or
individuals can A) identify local sites in their area, B) create a
simple plan for helping to restore the site, C) submit their plan for
consideration for matching grant funds, D) restore the site, with
communication help & possible matching funds.
The details of the program, including guidelines and online application
form, can be found on the website www.ww1cc.org/100Memorials
The program is designed to foster a sense of heritage in local
communities, to recognize local stories & people who were involved in
the war, and create a way for community members to participate in the
national World War I Centennial.
Kenneth Clarke, President and CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum &
Library stated, "The words 'Lest We Forget' appear on World War I
memorials across the nation. Sadly, however, many of these memorials are
in need of repair and restoration, in this, their centennial year."
The 100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS program is particularly well-suited for
community-service projects hosted by school groups, scout troops,
veteran group posts, historical/cultural organizations, church groups,
local sports teams, and others.
Dan Dayton, Executive Director of the Centennial Commission, commented
"Doughboys came from every town and village in the US. This program
gives the Commission a way to say thank you in a very tangible way."
The sponsor organizations have teamed with the World War I Memorial
Inventory Project, a nationwide database of sites across the country, to
help identify where monuments are located, and what condition they are
in.
Some of the 100 CITIES/100 MEMORIALS program specifics include the
following:
- All submitted projects are given communication resources, to help
participants to publicize their work, post imagery to social media, and
to tell their own stories.
- There will also be webinars & videos provided on the website to help
with 'How To Properly Provide Restoration", and "How To Create a Project
Plan".
- All sizes and scope of projects can be considered for this program's
matching funds. However, the amount of matching funds available per
project is currently limited to $2,000.
- In November, 2016, one hundred of the submitted projects will be
jury-selected to receive matching funds.
- To qualify for a matching grant, a project needs to be submitted by
November 11, 2016. It needs to be located in the 50 states and US
territories, and it either should have been completed since January 1,
2014 or will be completed by November 11, 1918.
This fund-matching program has been adopted by The American Legion by
Resolution of the National Executive Committee. The Centennial
Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library welcome additional
supporting organizations as well as additional sponsors to expand the
funds available to the awardees.
Information on the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission can be found
here:
www.ww1cc.org
Information about the Pritzker Military Museum and Library can be found
here:
www.pritzkermilitary.org/WW1
Information about the World War I Memorial Inventory Project can be
found here:
https://www.facebook.com/wwiinventory/?fref=ts
