Hillsville Virginia Receives Preserve America Designation
HILLSVILLE, Va. - Hillsville has been recognized inside the White House. On June 4, town officials were notified that their application to become a Preserve America Community was approved by First Lady Laura Bush, the honorary chair of the Preserve America initiative. “Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment,” Bush said in a release. “This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.” The Preserve America initiative is an Administration effort to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of communities. Hillsville’s application for membership was drawn up by New River Community Partners. Hillsville Town Manager Larry South expressed gratitude to the organization, as well as Bush for the town’s inclusion in the initiative. “We’re very appreciative of New River Community Partners in taking the lead in putting that application for the town,” South said. “The town is very thankful to the First Lady and committee to see fit to bestow the designation for us.” Others that helped Hillsville’s efforts to be included were U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, Sebert Sisson, Sen. Jim Webb, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New River Navigator, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the Hale-Wilkinson-Carter Home Foundation and the Carroll County Historical Society. Webb applauded Hillsville’s inclusion in the Preserve America initiative. “With many of my ancestors originally settling in Carroll County, I understand the important role that Hillsville has played in the history of Southwest Virginia and I am pleased the federal government has recognized this community,” Webb said in a statement. “The people of Hillsville will benefit greatly from this designation which will help to continue to preserve these historical assets for future generations.” As a Preserve America Community, Hillsville will receive a certificate of designation signed by Bush, signifying that the town’s status in the initiative. In addition, Hillsville can use the Preserve America logo on signs and apply for Preserve America grants, among other rights. In addition, South said it’s possible that Hillsville could receive a visitor from the White House, welcoming the town as a Preserve America Community. “There’s a good possibility that there will be a public ceremony from somebody from the White House or a representative,” he said. “We hope that’s the case and we look forward to it if there is.” South said the designation is something citizens of Hillsville should be proud of, and it further enhances the town’s Historic Downtown. “I think it is a plus for our locale, a plus for our citizens and it could open up some grant money,” South said. “More importantly, I think it opens up the uniqueness of Hillsville.”
– Thomas Lester, The Carroll News
