The Preservation Society of Newport County Receives a $25,000 Cash Award as the First Place Winner of the 2011 This Place Matters Community Challenge

The Wellington Ritz Theatre, Inc. and the Over-the-Rhine Foundation Also Received Prize Money in an Online Contest for Communities to Feature Places of Architectural and Cultural Significance that Matter to Them

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company are proud to announce that the 2011 Community Challenge was a success! This innovative competition gave communities all over the country the opportunity to showcase what places of historical significance matter to them – and rally their community for the cause of preservation. Over 80,000 people cast votes for 100 different organizations, ultimately crowning The Preservation Society of Newport County in Newport, RI the first prize of $25,000. Their work mobilizing community members to save the Breakers really paid off.

“Fireman’s Fund is proud to be part of this successful campaign. We are committed to helping preserve, protect, and provide superior products to the place that matter most in the local communities and our customers who take pride in their ownership, while working through our relationship with the National Trust”

Two other sites will also receive cash awards on behalf of their efforts. The Wellington Ritz Theatre, Inc. won $10,000 for their community because of the importance of the Historic Ritz Theatre in Wellington, TX. And for coming in third, the Over-the-Rhine Foundation will get $5,000 to spend for getting so many citizens in Cincinnati, OH excited about their historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The Community Challenge, made possible by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and National Trust Insurance Services, LLC, will continue to impact these communities even though the voting has ended. The energy fostered will continue to grow as the competition serves as a catalyst in many communities to make preservation a priority.

“This Place Matters and the Community Challenge exemplify what the National Trust is trying to accomplish – protecting America’s cultural heritage by promoting real places in real communities. Each of these places is a landmark that strengthens the community and the National Trust is proud to have helped increase involvement and momentum around these places,” said Terry Richey, Chief Marketing Officer at the National Trust.

“Fireman’s Fund is proud to be part of this successful campaign. We are committed to helping preserve, protect, and provide superior products to the place that matter most in the local communities and our customers who take pride in their ownership, while working through our relationship with the National Trust,” said Brian Klepchick, vice president of property in commercial insurance at Fireman’s Fund.

This year, Fireman’s Fund has donated $75,000 to the National Trust, elevating visibility for historic sites and the necessity of preservation by empowering the public to weigh in on places that they feel are significant.

In addition to the Community Challenge, support from Fireman’s Fund allows people all over the country to go to www.preservationNation.org/thisplacematters, download a “This Place Matters” sign, take a picture or video of themselves with the sign in front of a place that matters to them and then post it to the “This Place Matters” section of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Web site. Contributors can also elect to post stories without a photo on a special “This Place Matters” Google map.

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company provides specialized insurance coverage for owners of historic commercial buildings and partners with the National Trust Insurance Services, LLC (NTIS), the affiliated agency of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to provide policyholders with specialized historic property coverages, expertise, and customer service. The historic property coverage product is solely distributed through NTIS and is administered by Maury, Donnelly and Parr.

About Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company^®

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal and commercial insurance products nationwide. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group, the world’s largest provider of property and casualty insurance, based on market capitalization and total revenues as of March 1, 2011. For additional information, visit www.firemansfund.com.

National Trust Insurance Services, LLC

National Trust Insurance Services, administered by Maury, Donnelly & Parr, is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was created in 2003 to address the growing issues regarding proper insurance for historic property owners and the organizations that work to protect historic resources.

About The National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.