Sam Waterston to Help Preserve the National Monument Lincoln’s Cottage (Press Release)

Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark Program and Actor Sam Waterston to Help Preserve the National Monument Lincoln’s Cottage

Hampton Celebrates 10 Years of Save-A-Landmark

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After ten years of preserving America’s cultural, fun and historical landmarks, the award-winning Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark community program celebrated its 10 year anniversary milestone by helping to preserve President Lincoln’s Cottage, a National Monument and National Trust Historic Site, located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in northwest Washington, D.C. Legendary actor, Sam Waterston, who has portrayed the 16th President on stage and screen, joined local Hampton hotel volunteers to help preserve the site, which many consider to be one of the most significant historic sites directly associated with Lincoln’s presidency, after the White House.

“Throughout the last decade our program has donated more than $2.5 million and more than 8,000 volunteer hours toward the research, attention and preservation of roadside landmarks.”

“Save-A-Landmark is thrilled to officially celebrate its 10th year of preserving landmarks during today’s volunteer event at President Lincoln’s Cottage and with the support of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Save America’s Treasures,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, global brand marketing, Hampton Hotels. “Throughout the last decade our program has donated more than $2.5 million and more than 8,000 volunteer hours toward the research, attention and preservation of roadside landmarks.”

President Lincoln’s Cottage is the 55th Save-A-Landmark site to be preserved from across 45 states and three countries and marks the program’s first visit to the nation’s capital. More than 50 Hampton hotel team members volunteered their time to help preserve this iconic piece of American history, contributing to the total of nearly 1,500 team members in the program’s history to have taken part in preserving landmarks in the United States, Canada and Mexico for future generations to enjoy. These efforts have been recognized with several distinctive awards over the past ten years, such as in 2006, when Save-A-Landmark was honored with the 2006 Preserve America Presidential Award – the first hotel brand ever recognized by the U.S. President for its preservation efforts.

During today’s event, Save-A-Landmark donated $100,000 in support of the day’s work, as well as to help fund ongoing preservation efforts at President Lincoln’s Cottage. Today’s preservation projects included, conserving natural wood flooring, resurfacing cast iron balustrades and repairing the stucco exterior of the Cottage. President Lincoln’s Cottage is the fifth and final landmark to be refurbished in 2010 by Hampton Hotels under this year’s theme of “All-American Landmarks.”

“We’re honored that President Lincoln’s Cottage was chosen by Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark program to celebrate its significant 10 year anniversary milestone, and we’re grateful for its support of our ongoing preservation needs,” said Erin Carlson-Mast, executive director, President Lincoln’s Cottage. “For over a quarter of his Presidency, Lincoln chose to make this his family’s seasonal home. Here he worked on the Emancipation Proclamation and critical decisions that shaped the Civil War. The Cottage is the only place in the country where the public can experience the history of Lincoln’s presidential work and private life where it unfolded.”

President Lincoln commuted three miles daily by horseback or coach from the White House to the Cottage where he first drafted the Emancipation Proclamation 148 years ago this month. He last visited the Cottage the day before his assassination. The Cottage opened to the public for the first time in 2008, and today offers intimate, guided tours providing an in-depth, media-enhanced experience highlighting Lincoln’s ideas and actions through historical images and voices. The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center, adjacent to the Cottage, houses thematic galleries and changing exhibitions providing visitors of all ages opportunities for in-depth exploration of Lincoln's life and times.

“On the 10th anniversary of the Save-A-Landmark program, Save America’s Treasures at the National Trust congratulates Hampton Hotels as a model corporate partner, and applauds its leadership in helping to maintain and spotlight the preservation of our national heritage,” said Bobbie Greene McCarthy, director of Save America's Treasures at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Through important initiatives like its Save-A-Landmark program, Hampton Hotels is helping to ensure a brighter future for our past.”

To learn more about Save-A-Landmark or to nominate a site for restoration, visit hamptonlandmarks.com. For more information on President Lincoln’s Cottage, please visit lincolncottage.org.


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