America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places: A Look Back ( Part I)

Since Mount Vernon was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the view from this historic site has faced threats from new development that could have compromised the rolling hills and lush forests visible from the estate.  

This view, designed by George Washington himself—was ultimately protected as part of Piscataway National Park. In 2018, this viewshed was endangered once again when Dominion Power proposed construction of a compressor station 40 feet away from Piscataway National Park.

The Chicano/a/x community murals located throughout Colorado illuminate the nationwide Chicano/a/x Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s that integrated political activism with cultural education through the arts. 

Today, the powerful artworks are threatened in a range of ways, including a lack of legal protections, gentrification, and Colorado’s harsh climate.  

Director, Chicano/a/x Murals of Colorado Project

The impact of the 11 Most designation has helped the Chicano, Chicana, Chicanx murals of Colorado project amplify our voice to advocate for the urgency in protecting and preserving the Chicano community murals in Colorado.

"The listing has generated many important conversations describing the fragile relationship between the murals and buildings on which they are painted, that place them at immediate and ongoing risk of erasure due to gentrification." 

"In addition, the listing has helped to bring attention to the inadequacies of preservation that have failed to recognize the importance of protecting the artistic and cultural expressions of diverse communities across the nation."

The Chicano/a/x Murals of Colorado Project seeks support for ongoing efforts to survey, designate, protect, and preserve these important cultural treasures. 

Since their inclusion on the Endangered Historic Places list, the murals have received widespread attention from around the country, however much work remains to document and preserve these places.