Search is On for Communities With Character

Search is On for Communities With Character

(July 26, 2005) -- Know of any “authentic” communities that are
full of character, have dynamic downtowns, interesting
architecture,cultural diversity, an economic base of
locally owned small businesses? If so, don’t keep it a
secret any longer.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is
seeking nominations for its 2006 “Dozen Distinctive Destination”
list, which identifies communities that have preserved
their sense of place and have shown a strong commitment to
preservation and revitalization, among other things.
The list is published in spring, just in time for
the peak travel season.

Among the destinations featured on the 2005 list were the
old seafaring town of Bath, Maine; the Western mining town
of Bisbee, Ariz.;and the architecturally significant
Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Ill.

"Today’s traveler has high expectations, which is why
heritage tourism has become so popular,” Richard Moe,
president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
said in March as this year’s list was revealed.

The organization announced its call for 2006 nominations
last week, and nominations are due by Friday, Nov. 4.
Nominees should be recognizable locations, such as a
town, city, neighborhood, or region.

For more information on the program,view the
2006 Nomination Form
The trust’s Web site also includes the full
2005 Dozen Distinctive Destinations list
and a database of all previous winners
going back to the start of the program six years ago.

—REALTOR® Magazine Online

"Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine [August, 2005]
with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.”