Sonoma officially ‘preserved’ by feds

Last month, Sonoma Historical Society President Patricia Cullinan stood before the microphone at the bimonthly City Council meeting, and with little warning of what was about to take place, presented something a little out-of-the-ordinary - an official commendation from the White House. To be specific, the letter was from First Lady Michelle Obama.

It was a historical moment, in more ways than one.

In the document, the City of Sonoma was named a “Preserve America Community,” a designation given out to cities and counties, including tribal communities and neighborhoods within larger cities. that take exceptional measures to preserve and protect their own unique historical heritage. The commendation, which the city applied for with the help of several members of the Historical Society, does more than give Sonoma Valley another certificate to file in a drawer.

“It entitles the city to apply for specific congressionally-funded grants,” says Cullinan, “grants intended to strengthen a community’s historical and cultural preservation efforts. Assuming the government has the money, this designation supports Sonoma getting those grants.”

The designation also comes with a detailed and descriptive entry for that community on the government’s Preserve America website (www.preserveamerica.gov).

“I wrote that,” admits Cullinan with a laugh. “I had just 500 words to squeeze in as many historic facts about Sonoma as possible. It was quite a task.”

The national initiative was established in 2003 in cooperation with several government agencies and groups, including the national Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the U.S. Departments of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and Housing and Urban Development. Since the program was instated, more than 800 communities have been awarded the designation.

Preserve America Communities have a small but distinct advantage, in that the commendation eases efforts to integrate local heritage projects and economic development goals, essentially making it a tiny bit easier for them to qualify for federal money.

The designation allows Sonoma to post signs proclaiming the city a Preserve America Community, and to use an official Preserve America logo on materials created to promote Sonoma’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its history.

To be eligible, the City of Sonoma had to demonstrate its commitment to historical preservation and to the protection and promotion of its numerous heritage sites. The City’s demonstrated commitment to repairing, preserving and expanding the Sonoma Community Center – including the addition of the Maloney Memorial Garden and the restoration of various interior facilities – was a key factor in establishing Sonoma’s commitment to its many historically significant landmarks.

“One of the qualifications is a proven public-private partnership,” Cullinan explains. “That was definitely fulfilled by the city’s support of the Community Center. The Rotary has supported the center, paying for the new kitchen. Lots of local organizations have supported the center. The Sonoma County Water Agency even worked on a project with the center. That’s a public-private relationship.”

Also required for qualification are a proven local tourism program focused on a region’s history, programs that Sonoma demonstrated through such things as it Walking Map of Historic Resources and the walking tour map of the Mountain Cemetery, located along the Sonoma Overlook Trail.

Also required for qualification are regularly scheduled “heritage observances,” such as the annual Bear Flag Revolt reenactment, and a robust number of community-supported museums, historical collections of historical and cultural books and records, and children’s programs emphasizing and encouraging an interest in local history and heritage. With such a large number of history-focused groups in Sonoma, including the Sonoma Valley Historical Society and Depot Museum, the League for Historic Preservation, and the Sonoma State Historic Parks Association, it was not hard making the case that Sonoma is a town with a strong commitment to exploring and celebrating its historic past.

“Cities are always looking for money to help with these kinds of projects,” says Cullinan. “Being named a Preserve America Community definitely helps. This could lead to all kinds of positive things.”