West Virginia's Claymont Court Mansion has been selected to receive $150,000 from the federal Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant program, thanks to an appropriations request by Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. The West Virginia representative acted on behalf of a request by the National Park Trust (NPT), which has partnered with the Claymont Society to preserve the Washington Family Claymont Court Mansion located outside Charles Town, WV. Claymont Court was one of 52 SAT grant recipients included in the FY2010 Interior Appropriations bill signed into law by President Obama. An additional 41 historic preservation project received funding through the SAT competitive grant process announced December 9, 2009.

"The Save America's Treasures grant is the premiere historic preservation grant in the nation and to receive funds is a great honor and recognition of the historic significance of the Claymont Court Mansion. We are grateful to Congresswoman Capito for recognizing how important this project is for the Washington Family Legacy in Jefferson County, WV and for recognizing that heritage tourism can bring significant economic benefits to the area," says William Brownell, Chair of the National Park Trust. "Save America's Treasures invests in our nation's irreplaceable legacy of buildings, documents, collections and artistic works," said First Lady Michelle Obama, Honorary Chairman of the
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. "These awards empower communities all over the country to rescue and restore this priceless heritage, and ensure that future generations continue to learn from the voices, ideas, events and people represented by these projects."

As with most federal grants, the federal funds require a 50/50 match, as such the grant amount will total $300,000. The National Park Trust has received a preservation grant from the 1772 Foundation, which provides grants to restore American historical treasures; however, fundraising efforts will begin in earnest to successfully match the remainder of the federal funds.

Claymont Court is considered the crown jewel of the eight remaining Washington Family Homes in Jefferson County. At 16,000 square feet, it is the largest of the Washington Homes, and it is listed as nationally significant on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mansion is particularly unique in that it provides visitors unaltered viewsheds and a glimpse into the history of the members of George Washington's Family, which virtually dominated Jefferson County, WV in the 19th century.

Four years ago, the National Park Trust, a nonprofit land trust, partnered with The Claymont Society, owners of the Claymont Court Mansion, to determine ways to preserve the mansion and the 345 acres surrounding the property. The success in receiving the SAT grant is a big step toward achieving that preservation goal. NPT is also working with the Society to place the property into a conservation easement, protecting the property from development in perpetuity and to create Washington's Way West National Heritage Area, which would celebrate the area’s rich Washington Family Legacy.

About National Park Trust
National Park Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of our nation's critical parklands and reconnecting our youth to nature, especially those that are underserved. www.ParkTrust.org

About The Claymont Society for Continuing Education
The Claymont Society is 501c3 nonprofit organization which has owned and helped restore the Claymont Court Mansion since 1975. It operates as a year-round educational retreat center and a community supported agriculture program. www.claymont.org

About Save America's Treasures
The National Park Service administers the SAT funds in a public/private partnership with its nonprofit partner, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The SAT program is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of America's priceless historic legacy. http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/treasures/index.htm

National Park Trust

National Park Trust

The National Park Trust is a nonprofit 501c3 organization. NPT is the nation’s only organization dedicated to the completion, and the full appreciation, of the American system of National and State Parks through the identification of key land acquisition needs and opportunities, the convening of potential funders to acquire these lands, as well increasing efforts to ensure that future generations appreciate and experience this national heritage.

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