Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn Mount Auburn as a Community Resource | Page 10

Partners in Preservation–
an amazing experience for
Mount Auburn
by Bree D. Harvey,
Director of Education and Visitor Services
8 | Sweet Auburn
During April and May, Mount Auburn
participated in the 2009 Partners in Preservation
initiative—a high-tech twist on historic preser-
vation. Partners in Preservation—a collaboration
between American Express and the National
Trust for Historic Preservation—invited 25 historic sites and cultural
institutions from greater Boston to compete for $1 million in preservation
funding by participating in an online voting contest. Before determining
what sites received funding, Partners in Preservation turned to the general
public with a simple question: What site matters to you?
The Cemetery submitted an application for $100,000 to preserve
and rehabilitate its iconic Egyptian Revival Gatehouse (photo top-left)
built in the 1840s. From the many applications (over 150) submitted for
funding, only 25 were selected for the final, public phase of the initiative.
During a press conference in Faneuil Hall on April 14, Mount Auburn
was announced as one of the participants in the Partners in Preservation
initiative.
Immediately, we began making “our case” and the public began their
voting for their choices on the Partners in Preservation website. Between
April 14 and May 17, Mount Auburn staff spoke with thousands of visi-
tors about our ongoing preservation efforts and the need for funding to
preserve one of the Cemetery’s most significant structures. We expanded
our internet presence with videos on YouTube, photos on Flickr, and a
page on Facebook.
On May 2 and 3, the Cemetery and each of the other finalists hosted
a Preservation Open House. More than 750 people attended the event
at Mount Auburn that weekend. Trolley rides, scavenger hunts, hands-on
activities, demonstrations, and free tours all highlighted the Cemetery’s
preservation efforts. Visitors also enjoyed songs from the Victorian era,
sung by the trio Vintage Voices in period dress. The Open House, a happy
success, is one we hope to make an annual tradition.
On May 17 the internet public voting phase of Partners in Preservation
ended—with the Paragon Carousel in Hull gleaning the most votes and
a guarantee to receive funding. On June 16th, the remaining funds were
distributed to 11 other participating sites. While Mount Auburn was not
one of the sites selected for major funding, we were happily surprised to
receive a grant of $5,000 for participating in the initiative. This gift will
be used towards the preservation and rehabilitation of the Gatehouse.
We are honored that American Express and the National Trust presented
us with the opportunity to introduce the Cemetery to a larger audience
and grateful for the support from our members and the community. All
of the votes cast for Mount Auburn, the testimonials shared on the Part-
ners in Preservation website, and the encouragement we heard from our
“fans” reminds us about how important Mount Auburn is in the hearts
of many. We are proud to protect and preserve this community treasure.