(Orange County, Calif.) – Congress through the National Park Service, Department of Interior, selected OC Parks as a grant recipient to “Save America’s Treasures.” The National Park Service, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, provided $4.8 million in grants awarded to 16 projects in 12 states, supporting the preservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections throughout the country.
OC Parks will use the grant for the second-phase restoration of the Joseph Pleasants Stone Building, the oldest building on the National Historic Landmark grounds at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens in Modjeska Canyon.
The grant-funded work will include repair to the second floor of the stone building, including restoration of both interior and exterior existing, character-defining features. OC Parks made a significant investment to repair and restore the first-floor stone cellar in 2007. Restoration of the second floor will complete the Pleasants Stone Cottage project, making the structure available to the public for the first time in its history.
“With this grant, we will be able to save an intrinsic part of our rich Southern California heritage,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Third District, said. “The completion of the restoration project will provide the public with a physical connection to an important piece of history.”
The preservation work under the grant is being supported by the Save America’s Treasure program, which is funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The HPF uses revenue from federal oil leases to provide a range of preservation assistance without expending tax dollars.
For information about Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, please visit the OC Parks website at: https://ocparks.oc.prod.acquia.prometdev.com/historic-sites/arden-helena-modjeska-historic-house-and-gardens
