PROVIDENCE, RI -- In an effort to preserve Rhode Island's history and cultural heritage, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Appropriations Committee, today announced that two Rhode Island organizations will receive over $700,000 in 2008 Save America's Treasures Grants. The grants are awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar non-federal match.

"I am pleased to have helped secure federal funding to preserve our state's history and put people to work repairing these landmarks," said Reed. "This public-private partnership brings people together to preserve and protect our state's unique cultural heritage."

Slater Mill - Pawtucket

Slater Mill, a National Historic Landmark, will receive a $300,000 to repair the Mill and reduce threats from fire, flooding, and decay. Slater Mill was the first water-powered cotton spinning mill in America and is refereed to as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Today, the Mill attracts about 40,000 visitors per year.

Channing Memorial Church - Newport

Channing Memorial Church, which is dedicated to one of America's most influential philosophers, William Ellery Channing, will receive $440,000 to repair and strengthen the steeple. Channing's writings influenced a generation of thinkers, poets, abolitionists, and civic leaders such as Emerson, Thoreau, and William Lloyd Garrison. The 130-foot American Gothic Revival style stone steeple was constructed in 1880 and is home to a rare nine-bell chime. Years of exposure to the elements and loss of mortar have caused the steeple to be in danger of collapse.

The federal Save America's Treasures program is one of the largest and most successful grant programs for the protection of our nation's endangered and irreplaceable and endangered cultural heritage. Grants are available for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and historic structures and sites.

Grants are awarded to federal, state, local, and tribal government entities, and non-profit organizations through a competitive matching-grant program, administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.