ALBANY – The Preservation League of New York State will use its endangered properties program, Seven to Save, to support and enhance the year-long commemoration of the voyages of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton and Samuel de Champlain next year.

"New York State is especially rich in maritime resources and waterfront communities," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. "The region from the Canadian border to New York Harbor is celebrated for its beauty, and boasts a strong tradition of settlement by Native Americans followed by French, Dutch, English and others who made important contributions reflected in the area's buildings and landscapes. We are looking forward to providing strategic attention, extra effort, and new tools to secure the future of these endangered resources for generations to come."

The Preservation League is seeking nominations of endangered places that reflect the Quadricentennial themes of exploration, settlement and commerce, and the use and development of the waterways of the Hudson and Champlain Valleys. These can include but need not be limited to commercial and industrial buildings, homes and farmsteads, underwater archeological sites, vessels, lighthouses, bridges and transportation corridors.

"We depend on local and regional preservation agencies, organizations and individuals to let us know about endangered properties around the state," said Erin Tobin, the Preservation League's eastern regional director for technical and grant programs. "We are delighted to report that through the community involvement and preservation strategies we have created together with local advocates, many significant properties have been saved."

The Preservation League will provide targeted support for these seven threatened historic resources throughout 2009, and will work with local groups to develop solutions for protecting them. According to DiLorenzo, "We are committed to helping the Seven to Save designees through statewide publicity, and by giving them priority for League technical services, legal assistance and grant programs."
The postmark deadline for nominations is September 26, 2008.