Help Meridian Hill Park and GALA Theatre get historic preservation grant money!

This is pretty neat: the National Trust for Historic Preservation is launching a contest called Partners in Preservation, where people can help their favorite historic sites get grant money to fund preservation activities. It's organized by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In our neighborhood, the two candidates are Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and the GALA Theatre building (that's the Tivoli.) You can see the full list here.

The campaign kicks off today, and I'll be writing blog posts about the sites in the next few weeks. In addition, you can get involved and help them win by accruing points! There are actually a ton of quick, fun and easy ways to do that, check it out. If you use Foursquare, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, there's lots of points there!

Get Involved! Here’s how:

• Learn more about the sites and vote online DAILY at partnersinpreservation.com
• Check-In to the Sites on Foursquare, Post on Facebook, Tweet and Instagram using #PreserveDMV to earn more points
• Come out to Farragut Square this Friday for Free Preservation Popsicles and to meet the sites
• Visit the sites! Open House Weekend on May 4^th and 5^th will be a great time to really interact with some of the DC’s best historic gems

There's also some fun things you can get while helping out with the contest:

§  Reward Yourself: Partners in Preservation is giving away social rewards and vacation rewards for registered users who get involved: 

o   Social Badges: Connected users can earn up to eight (8) badges by taking different social actions,  including checking in on Foursquare, sharing stories and photos, and voting every day
o   Taking History on the Road, by Marriott: Marriott, official supporter of Partners in Preservation, is hosting a sweepstakes that will award ten (10) users with $2,000 gift cards towards hotel stays at any Marriott property around the world. 

§  Tell Your Story: Users can learn from each other why these historic places are so special, and submit stories of their own. Some stories may even make it onto the Partners in Preservation Facebook and Twitter pages 

§  Find Out More: Each of the participating historic places is part of the cultural landscape of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Each needs funding for a special project that will restore, preserve or revitalize it for the future. Learn more, see photos and see where they stand among the competition.