Hampton Hotels Announces Winners of “All-American Landmarkâ€� Restorations

2008-12-05 14:19:00 -

Today in celebration of International Volunteer Day, Hampton® Hotels announced the "All-American Landmarks" that will be "saved" in 2009 by its Save-A-Landmark® volunteer program. In 18 days, communities across the country showed their American spirit by casting nearly 45,000 votes to help elect the nine landmarks that will be restored. The public voted for their favorite "All-American Landmarks" in nine states from sea to shining sea, including Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Hampton invited the public to log on to hamptonlandmarks.com on November 12 through November 30, 2008, to vote for their favorite from a list of 27 landmarks. Each landmark, originally nominated by states across the U.S., fits within Hampton"s 2009 "All-American Landmarks" theme, which will pay homage to landmarks that celebrate the diverse definitions of what it means to be American. Each site that Save-A-Landmark will refurbish next year reflects the individual personalities of the states and their residents, and signifies defining moments in our country"s past and/or the influential people that ignited these actions.
The winners of a Hampton Save-A-Landmark restoration in 2009 are:
- Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek, Knob Creek, Ky., This small cabin surrounded by the dense Kentucky woodlands is the boyhood home of All-American president, Abraham Lincoln, a champion for freedom and equality for all. February 12, 2009 will mark the bicentennial of Lincoln"s birthday.
- Portland Observatory, Portland, Maine, Since 1807, the Portland Observatory has offered spectacular views of Portland"s harbor and served as a symbol of the city"s rich maritime heritage. A National Historic Landmark, it is the only known remaining historic maritime signal tower in the United States.
- Mayowood, Rochester, Minn., The Mayowood Estate was founded between 1911 and 1938 by Dr. Charles H. Mayo, a cofounder of the internationally renowned Mayo Clinic, a worldwide leader in the research and treatment of medical illness.
- The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, Nev., A glowing witness to a colorful past, The Neon Museum in Las Vegas is dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting neon signs and associated artifacts to inspire educational and cultural enrichment, ensuring that these icons will remain for generations.
- Robert Frost Farm, Derry, N.H., Robert Frost, one of the nation's most acclaimed poets whose writings are said to be the epitome of New England, attributed many of his poems to memories from the Derry years. This farm was home to Frost and his family from 1900-1911.
- Town of Mayberry Old City Jail, Mount Airy, N.C., In the heart of Andy Griffith's hometown, Mount Airy, sits the re-creation of "The Courthouse" seen for decades on the popular television series, "The Andy Griffith Show." Once the town"s real jail, Old City Jail is surrounded by the re-creations of Mayberry's favorites.
- Rail Depot Museum, Troutdale, Ore., The growth of the city of Troutdale depended on the expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad and this depot built in 1907. Once the shipping site of many carloads of fresh vegetables, the station houses railroad artifacts from local residents.
- Washington House, Two Rivers, Wis., Sweetly American, Ed Berner"s Ice Cream Parlor and the "Birthplace of the Ice Cream Sundae," now acts as the official visitors center for the City of Two Rivers. It still features the original tin ceilings, ice cream parlor and numerous local historical exhibits.
- Historic Atlas Theater, Cheyenne, Wyo., This typical Vaudevillian Theater has been an anchor to downtown Cheyenne since 1887. The Atlas Building was converted to a theatre in 1908. Seating almost 550, the stage was sufficient for the traveling companies of the time, a soda fountain, a penny arcade and parlor.
"We are ready to roll up our sleeves and do whatever is needed " paint, reconstruct, landscape or other refurbishments the sites need " to salute these All-American landmarks," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of brand marketing for Hampton. "As demonstrated by the influx of votes we received from communities across America, every landmark we will refurbish next year is an important part of each state"s cultural heartbeat and we are thrilled to enable future generations to learn of the states" unique personalities by beautifying these nationally significant sites."
Since the program began in 2000, Hampton Hotels and Save-A-Landmark have been dedicated to preserving America"s historical, fun and cultural landmarks that reside along our country"s treasured highways. Save-A-Landmark was created after Hampton Hotels discovered that more than 90 percent of Americans believed it was important to preserve our nation"s landmarks and another 40 percent thought our country"s historical sites were in need of repair. Since then, Hampton Hotels has dedicated thousands of hours and more than $3.5 million to refurbish 41 landmarks, preserving these roadside treasures for future generations. The program aims to refurbish a landmark in each of the 50 states by the end of 2010.
For more information about the Save-A-Landmark program or to nominate additional landmarks, log on to hamptonlandmarks.com.
About Hampton Hotels
Hampton, which includes Hampton Inn®, Hampton by Hilton® and Hampton Inn & Suites® hotels, is a mid-priced leader in the lodging segment. Hampton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, a leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 74 countries and territories, with more than 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations", Homewood Suites by Hilton® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection".
Hilton Hotels Corporation is an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, which will extend through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the 2010/2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and the 2011 U.S. Pan American Team.
The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton"s philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.
For more information about Hampton Hotels, please visit www.hampton.com/pressandmedia .



Hampton Brand Communications

Sheryl Shelton

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Cohn & Wolfe

Melissa Brabender

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