Dear Friend,

As we get closer to the end of 2020, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about all the events and ordeals that shaped this incredibly challenging year.

Thankfully, the goals we pursue together as supporters of the National Trust make an important contribution to our individual and collective spirits. History has the ability to connect us to one another across distance and divides. The enduring presence of historic places that have stood the test of time reminds us that generations of Americans have endured pain, fear, isolation, and uncertainty, while always—always—emerging stronger than before.

The past is always there to inform and guide us for the future that unfolds every day. And right now, you have an opportunity to strengthen history’s connections and make an important difference for the buildings, neighborhoods, landmarks, and other places that embody our national stories in all their diverse complexity.

I’m writing to you today to ask you to honor America’s historically significant places by joining the National Trust. Every dollar you give to historic preservation will be matched, up to $100,000, doubling your impact on these cherished places.

Your generosity today is vital to preserve the places and stories that make up our shared American history. Just imagine some of the iconic American places you’ll help preserve…

• Our beloved National Mall Tidal Basin where iconic cherry blossoms frame monuments to Thomas Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Your gift today helps save this breathtaking site from daily flooding, crumbling infrastructure, and damage to the cherry trees’ roots.
• Virginia’s James River, that flows through a collection of nationally recognized cultural, historic, and natural resources, including the first permanent English colony in America at Jamestown. Your gift today helps advocate for the removal of unlawful transmission towers that mar this historic viewshed.
• Nashville’s world-famous Music Row, the heart of Nashville’s legendary music scene, where the biggest stars from Dolly Parton to B.B. King have recorded. Your gift today encourages and supports responsible development that incorporates historic preservation.

Help us save these and other places across America by joining the National Trust with a holiday gift of $100, $250, or more today. Every gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000—only through December 31.

Thank you for supporting historic places and the connections they provide to our communities, and our country. I’m looking forward to reviving my own connections with the historic places I cherish once the COVID-19 pandemic passes. I can’t wait to walk along the pathways of historic sites, press my hands against the bricks of old buildings, and feel the power of history’s perseverance. Your support helps make that possible.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bruns Director of Member Engagement