Snohomish County will be honored Tuesday evening with one of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2009 Landmark Deeds Award for Public Service.
 
The annual awards are typically presented to public figures demonstrating leadership on issues related to preserving and retaining Washington’s built heritage. This year, however, the Washington Trust is honoring county governments statewide that are actively supporting historic preservation and historical programming through direct grants.
 
Passed in 2005, HB 1386 established a permanent source of funding for historic preservation and heritage-related projects through local filing fee revenues. Under county Executive Aaron Reardon, more than $40,000 has been awarded to seven projects, including historic district walking tours, museum collections storage, archival labs and historic mapping projects.
 
“Snohomish County has such a rich and diverse history and culture that it needs to be protected for future generations,” Reardon said. “Our grant program was established to support local preservation and heritage activities.”
 
Under HB 1386, one dollar of every five dollar surcharge must be deposited into county general funds to promote historic preservation or historical programs. Snohomish County is one of a handful of counties that created an ongoing grant program to distribute this funding.
 
Eligible entities may apply on a competitive basis for funds to further their heritage-based missions.
 
The county will distribute funds again in 2010.