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ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko today announced the awarding of $731,104 in federal funding to support the humanities in the Capital Region through two local heritage organizations. In this round of competitive Challenge Grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Albany County Historical Association (ACHA) will receive $481,104 to construct a new Education Center through the restoration of two buildings at the historic Ten Broeck Mansion site, and the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region (URHP) will receive $250,000 to fund three components of its new 13,000 square foot Interpretive Center, accommodating increased demand for programming at both organizations.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been a strong proponent of efforts to preserve and celebrate the rich history and cultural heritage of our Capital Region and our nation,” Congressman Tonko said. “Through measures like my National Heritage Area Act, I’ve worked hard to secure a stable foundation of federal support for sites and organizations that provide important educational resources for our communities. Now, I’m thrilled to celebrate these grant awards that will further expand our Capital Region’s cultural offerings, promoting humanities education for residents and visitors to New York’s 20^th congressional district. I extend my congratulations to the ACHA and the URHP for securing these highly competitive grants, and I look forward to seeing the results of these crucial federal investments!”

Congressman Tonko has long made it a top priority to protect treasured cultural heritage sites in the Capital Region and across the nation, promoting local cultural engagement and keeping these sites viable and accessible for local communities. By authoring legislation like the National Heritage Area Act and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission Reauthorization Act, Tonko has worked consistently to secure federal funding and resources to preserve these centers of cultural education.

Congressman Tonko has been a particularly strong supporter of efforts to highlight the Capital Region’s history as an important stop on the Underground Railroad, visiting the URHP’s Underground Railroad Education Center at the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence on numerous occasions and partnering with state and federal agencies to promote tourism initiatives dedicated to interpreting the stories of those who risked so much in the name of freedom and equality.

Funding for the Albany County Historical Association’s Education Center project will allow the ACHA to construct a long-lasting, adaptable, ADA-accessible programming space to meet rising demand for family education programs at the Ten Broeck Mansion site in Albany’s historic Arbor Hill neighborhood. Through the reconstruction of an 18^th-century carriage barn and a 19^th-century greenhouse, the ACHA will gain needed space to fully interpret the rich and diverse history of Albany County through interactive exhibits.

The grant for the Underground Railroad History Project will fund three components of its new Interpretive Center: the elevator system, geothermal system, and installation of a historic Dutch Barn timber frame that will serve as the focal point of the building’s entryway. This new facility will include space for a library, a children’s center, larger spaces for indoor programs and exhibits, and a media screening room, as well as needed space for storage and preservation of collections.

You can read more about these grant awards at the NEH’s website HERE.

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