The National Trust for Historic Preservation has declared May 2008 as the fourth annual National Preservation Month, and has created a number of programs in celebration. The theme of this National Preservation Month is “This Place Matters,” and people can help out by “celebrating the country’s diverse and irreplaceable heritage by participating in local events throughout the nation.” One aspect of the “This Place Matters” campaign is explained here on their blog. The National Trust is asking historians and other friends of preservation to tell the Trust about places that matter to them.  The National Trust is collecting photographs and stories about important places on their web site, and is also posting short, reader-created documentaries about important places on their YouTube channel. Sounds like a fun way to participate in remembering and preserving local history.

Other ways people can help out in National Preservation Month is to participate in the National Trust’s preservation auction, which runs from May 1 to May 31 and benefits restoration work in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, as well as the National Trust’s other local revitalization efforts. Members of the National Trust are also invited to take advantage of discount packages from historic hotels.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.