Nonprofit awards $7,500 grant for enhancement of ancient sun calendar

Canton, Mass. (March 29, 2010) – Tourism Cares, the tourism industry’s premier charitable organization for preservation, conservation, restoration and education in tourism, awarded $7,500 to the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society of Collinsville, IL as part of the winter 2010 Worldwide Grant Program.  The organization is among six global recipients this season to receive one of the prestigious grants, which are presented to worthy tourism-related nonprofits in need of support.

The Cahokia Mounds Museum Society has a mission “to promote, for the public benefit, the educational and scientific aspects of Cahokia Mounds Historic Site and associated archaeological sphere, and to support the preservation and interpretation of the site.” Cahokia Mounds preserves the remnants of the largest, most sophisticated prehistoric civilization north of Central Mexico. The site, situated about 8 miles from St. Louis, is designated one of only 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States. Telling the story of one of the most significant ancient structures in North America, Cahokia Mounds receives more than 330,000 visitors annually.

“The grant from Tourism Cares will greatly benefit not only Cahokia Mounds but also the visitors to our State Historic Site–people of all ages and backgrounds, especially the numerous school groups that come to our site and Interpretive Center to learn about the ancient Mississippian culture and its accomplishments,” said Bill Iseminger, Assistant Site Manager, Cahokia Mounds Historic Site.

The Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant funding will support the design, construction and installation of a new permanent multimedia interpretive exhibit of Woodhenge, the ancient sun calendar that was an astronomical observatory.

“As part of its mission, Tourism Cares champions the conservation, preservation, and restoration of significant natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide” said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director, Tourism Cares. “The worthy recipients of the Tourism Cares Worldwide Grants are in the forefront of these efforts in their respective areas.”

Tourism Cares winter Worldwide Grants have been awarded to six global recipients including the Green Mountain Club, Inc. in Vermont for the Ukraine, Caribbean Conservation Corporation in Florida for Costa Rica, Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs in California for Tierra Nativa, Mexico, Kona Historical Society in Hawai’i, and The Women’s Exchange for the Hermann-Grima and Gallier Historic Houses in New Orleans.

Tourism Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic and professional development scholarships to  students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer restoration efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org.