Santa Maria Sun / Art

Solvang preserves the country

BY SHELLY CONE

The city of Solvang recently celebrated its official, federally recognized “Preserve America Community” designation from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Solvang Convention and Visitors Bureau started the process to become a “Preserve America Community” nearly two years ago.

A group of community organizations and their members, called Preserve Solvang Visionary Leaders, formed to collaborate on a cultural assets inventory and share input to preserve and promote Solvang’s cultural heritage. In October, First Lady Michelle Obama sent the official letter of designation to Mayor Jim Richardson, and the citizens of Solvang acknowledging the honor. An official road sign designation plaque was installed on the city limits near Mission Drive and Highway 246 this month.

Solvang is one of only 30 communities in California and 814 throughout the United States to have received this honor since the program’s inception in 2003. The honor includes a variety of benefits, such as eligibility to apply for Preserve America grants, Preserve America Community signage, and listing in a Web-based Preserve America Community directory, as well as features in National Register Travel Itineraries and in “Teaching with Historic Places” curricular material created by the National Park Service. m

Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts Editor Shelly Cone. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.