National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2007 Dozen Distinctive Destinations

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its 2007 "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" this week.

From a charming Colorado mining town nestled among spectacular red sandstone bluffs where Puebloan ruins abound, to a Southern city that's home to a presidential library and linked forever to a defining moment in American history, to an 18th-century drop-dead gorgeous Chesapeake jewel of a town, America offers a wealth of alternative vacation destinations that symbolize an increasing dedication to historic preservation.

The list of 12 destinations was selected from a total of 63 destinations in 27 states nominated by individuals, preservation organizations and communities. It includes Charlottesville, Virginia; Chatham, Massachusetts; Chestertown, Maryland; Durango, Colorado; Ellensburg, Washington; Hillsborough, North Carolina; Little Rock, Arkansas; Mineral Point, Wisconsin; Providence, Rhode Island; West Hollywood, California; Woodstock, Illinois; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

This is the eighth time the National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a list of Dozen Distinctive Destinations. To date, there are 96 Dozen Distinctive Destinations located in 41 states throughout the country. In each community, residents have taken forceful action to protect their town's character and sense of place. Whether by enacting a local preservation law to protect historic buildings against demolition, rewriting zoning codes to prevent commercial sprawl, removing regulatory barriers to downtown housing, making downtown areas more walkable, enacting design standards, or taking some other major step that demonstrates a strong commitment to their town, residents have worked hard to preserve the historic and scenic assets of their communities, with rewards that transcend town limits.

As of this year, four New York State communities have been identified by the National Trust as a "Distinctive Destination," including Cooperstown (2000), New Paltz (2004), Saranac Lake (2006), and Saratoga Springs (2002).

The list is a great starting point for discovering new historic places and planning trips.