National Historic Landmark Meeting in Washington, DC-May 15

[Tim Tennant]

The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension (Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad) is scheduled for Tuesday May 15 at 3:45 pm. Co-author of the National Historic Landmark nomination Keith Hayes will make the presentation, plus John Hankey (co-author), and Christine Whitacre (Program Manager of the National Park Service Intermountain Region's Heritage Partnerships Program) will also be in attendance.

Briefly, here is the process from here forward: the Landmarks Committee makes its recommendation to the National Park System Advisory Board (meeting May 22-23 in Denver, coincidentally), which makes it's recommendation through the National Park Service Director to the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. There are no time requirements regarding the Secretary acting on the recommendation, but it typically takes anywhere from 3 to 9 months or so for him to designate a property a National Historic Landmark. So we're hoping for a designation anywhere from late summer to winter. Some time after designation, the NPS will present the owner with a bronze plaque indicating the property's national significance - this is usually done during a public event/celebration.

Our thanks to everyone who has submitted letters of support.