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FOR IMMEDIATE RELAESE: April 21, 2008
CONTACT: Jay D. Vogt, (605) 773-3458, Jay.Vogt@state.sd.us
Vogt named to national historic preservation review panel
PIERRE, S.D.—State Historic Preservation Officer Jay D. Vogt of Pierre has been named to the National Historic Preservation Program Structure Review Panel.
The review panel emerged out of recommendations made from the Preserve America Summit held in October 2006 to mark the 40th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
Vogt joins nine other expert panel members from throughout the country to look at the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the National Park Service (NPS) as well as the external, non-federal programs to determine how best to manage the national program through the NHPA.
“The National Historic Preservation Act represents 40 years of accomplishment,” said Vogt. “The question before us today is what should historic preservation achieve by 2016 on the 50th anniversary of the preservation act? Is the federal government providing the type of leadership we need to realize greater effectiveness and to promote a better historic preservation ethic?”
The Preserve America Summit, held in October 2006 in New Orleans, generated a diverse set of ideas concerning how to improve historic preservation in the United States. Over two dozen key ideas emerged from the summit; however, only 13 were set forward for further development and implementation. Under providing leadership, the summit recommended exploring improvements to the program structure of the federal preservation program through an independent review panel.
“This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the discussion that will effect how the federal government oversees and encourages historic preservation,” stated Vogt. “Forty years ago the National Historic Preservation Act transformed an indifferent federal government into a steward of historic properties and an advocate of the preservation of our past.”
The appointment was made by the Preserve America Summit co-chairs, John L. Nau, III, Chairman of the ACHP; and Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior. The review panel will complete its work within a year.
Vogt is director of the South Dakota State Historical Society, headquartered at the CulturalHeritageCenter, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. He is currently president of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.
Other members of the expert panel evaluating the structure of the federal historic preservation program include: Susan Barnes of Aurora, Ill.; Philip Grone of Springfield, Va.; Daniel Jordan of Charlottesville, Va.; Frank G. Matero of Philadelphia,; Richard Moe of Washington, D.C.; David L. Morgan of Washington, D.C.; Brian Patterson of Oneida, N.Y.; Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, S.C.; and Douglas P. Wheeler of Washington, D.C.
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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.sdhistory.org for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.