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<br />Chestertown, Md. -- An 18`h-century jewel on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Chestertown was once a thriving
<br />Revolutionary-era port and today boasts a treasure trove of perfectly preserved 18`h- and 19`h-century homes,
<br />specialty stores, sidewalk cafes and scenic boating, biking and hiking along the drop-dead gorgeous Chesapeake
<br />coast.
<br />Durango, Colo. -- Nestled between red sandstone bluffs in the lush Animas River Valley, Durango, Colo., offers
<br />natural beauty and a colorful history that is today reflected in a charming Victorian downtown and some of the most
<br />spectacular and well-preserved Puebloan ruins in the United States.
<br />Ellensburg, Wash. -- Located in the heart of the beautiful Kittitas Valley and in the center of Washington State,
<br />historic Ellensburg is a wonderfully preserved Victorian town that's home to Central Washington University, a
<br />delightful downtown historic district and some of the best fly fishing in the Northwest.
<br />Hillsborough, N.C. --A picturesque and charming Southern town that played an important role in both the
<br />Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Hillsborough, N.C. boasts a lovely downtown historic district, an original, rare
<br />NASCAR speedway from the inaugural 1949 season and festivals for war re-enactors and barbeque lovers.
<br />Little Rock, Ark. --With a presidential library, scores of well preserved historic buildings, an important Native
<br />American site, a WWII era submarine, the world's longest pedestrian bridge and a site that forever changed race
<br />relations in this country, Little Rock, Ark., has it all.
<br />Mineral Point, Wis. -- A hidden gem nestled in the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin, Mineral Point -- and
<br />its Cornish rock houses, Craftsman bungalows, simple log cabins and neoclassical confections -- is an architectural
<br />treasure trove, which celebrates its mining heritage and the abundant beauty of its pastoral setting.
<br />Morgantown, W. Va. -- Nested along the Monongahela River in northern West Virginia, Morgantown, home to
<br />West Virginia University (student enrollment over 27,000), has a vibrant and active downtown, a Riverfront park
<br />with an amphitheatre and miles of paved raiUtrail for recreational activities.
<br />Providence, R.I. --The capital of one of the nation's 13 original colonies and the home of several prestigious
<br />colleges, Providence, R.I., has a colorful four-century history proudly and prominently displayed in landmark
<br />structures, aVictorian-era park and a blazing riverfront festival that has revitalized this historic city.
<br />West Hollywood, Calif. -- In a sprawling metropolis nicknamed the "City of Angels," West Hollywood, Calif.,
<br />maintains a unique identity as a quirky yet sophisticated urban village, which boasts diverse historic architecture,
<br />people watching along glittering thoroughfares, designer boutiques, hip restaurants and unique tourist attractions
<br />such as the 1922 Rudolf Schindler House.
<br />Woodstock, Ill. -- Only 45 miles from Chicago, the small, warm, Victorian village of Woodstock, Ill., which served
<br />as a stand-in for Punxsutawney, Pa., in the 1992 movie Groundhog Day, has a unique and beguiling charm with a
<br />celebrated town square and downtown historic district, a nationally renowned Mozart festival and a Victorian
<br />Christmas -- right out of Dickens.
<br />In addition, the National Trust recognized the city of New Orleans for exemplary achievement in heritage tourism.
<br />The citation reads, "New Orleans is a richly unique, authentic, historic community that is reinventing itself through
<br />preservation-based revitalization. The National Trust salutes the unflagging spirit of the people of New Orleans."
<br />This is the eighth time the National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a list of Dozen Distinctive
<br />Destinations. To date, there are 96 Dozen Distinctive Destinations located in 41 states throughout the country. To
<br />see a complete list, visit www.nationaltrust.orc. In each community, residents have taken forceful action to protect
<br />their town's character and sense of place. Whether by enacting a local preservation law to protect historic buildings
<br />against demolition, rewriting zoning codes to prevent commercial sprawl, removing regulatory barriers to downtown
<br />housing, making downtown areas more walkable, enacting design standards, or taking some other major step that
<br />demonstrates a strong commitment to their town, residents have worked hard to preserve the historic and scenic
<br />assets of their communities, with rewards that transcend town limits.
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