Setting the bar with the popular vote, the On Leong Merchant Association Building (Pui Tak Center) will receive a grant of $110,000 to help restore terra cotta masonry and clay roof tiles to prevent further deterioration. The On Leong Merchant Association Building, located in Chicago's world-renowned Chinatown, is a church-based community center that offers social services to new Chinese immigrants. The Pui Tak Center is housed in Chinatown's only historic landmark building, originally known as the On Leong Merchant Association Building and is recognized for its colorful and exquisite pagoda-style roof.

Following behind the On Leong Merchant Association Building, 14 additional historic sites were chosen by an Advisory committee comprised of local Chicagoland community and business leaders, as well as executives from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Factors that were considered in the selection included public voting results, the preservation needs of the site, historic significance, project completion ability, and the role the site plays in the community.

The 14 American Express Partners in Preservation award winners are:

• Bohemian National Cemetery: granted $26,000 for repairs to the wooden watering tank
• Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall: granted $55,000 for restoration of original stained glass windows
• Great Lakes Naval Station, Building 42, (The Hostess House): granted $55,000 for the nation's only museum and archives devoted to naval recruiting
• Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral: granted $75,000 for exterior decorative sheet metal repairs to protect interior from further water damage
• Homan Square Power House: granted $31,000 to create a unique school lab space for student experiments with heat, airflow and energy generation
• Humboldt Park Stables and Receptory: granted $31,000 for building restoration and conversion into the nation's only Puerto Rican art museum
• Peabody Estate at Mayslake: granted $80,000 for rehabilitation of the solarium
• Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church: granted $100,000 for fractured kitchen floor beam repairs where daycare and weekly meals are prepared
• Robie House: granted $55,000 for restoration of the Guest Bedroom
• South Side Community Art Center: granted $67,000 for renovations to safely store artwork and to provide better public access
• Spring Grove Fish Hatchery: granted $65,000 for restoration to original appearance and conversion for use as a nature center
• Unity Temple: granted $80,000 for a roof drainage system and to protect interior finishes
• Viking Ship: granted $52,000 for a new support structure and stabilization
• Von Steuben High School: granted $68,000 for exterior repairs of terra cotta lintels

In addition, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced a Recognition Award, in the amount of $5,000 each, to 10 additional sites in appreciation of their participation in the initiative and their commitment to preservation efforts.

"Helping to save resources in a city like Chicago that so strongly embraces culture and history is what the Partners in Preservation program is all about," said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation. "We are preserving history for future generations to enjoy and learn from. It is with great pleasure that we award the On Leong Merchant Association Building with the premier grant and provide preservation funding to the 14 other historical sites."

"Through Partners in Preservation, Chicagoland truly came together in support of preservation," said David J. Brown, executive vice president, National Trust for Historic Preservation. "By voting for their favorite historic places, people helped save treasures in communities from downtown to Lake County. An eclectic group of historic sites participated in the program, and their enthusiasm and dedication spurred tremendous community involvement. We are immensely grateful to our partners and to all of the people who have shown they care so much. Together we have been able to make a difference in our communities, and preserve vital cultural and architectural resources for future generations."

To help guide American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation through the winning site selection process, an Advisory committee was established of Chicagoans who have displayed deep care and knowledge for the community. Selected to serve on the committee are 20 members who come from many sectors across Chicagoland. The Advisory committee members are:

• Richard M. Daley -- 48th Mayor of the City of Chicago, Honorary Chair
• David Bahlman -- Director, Landmarks Illinois
• Lee Bey -- Executive Director, Chicago Central Area Committee
• John Bryan -- Former Chairman, Sara Lee Corporation; National Trust Council Member
• Susan Campbell -- Neighborhood Liaison, University of Chicago
• Jack Davis -- Vice President, Chicago Metropolis 2020
• Emilia Dimenco -- Executive Vice President Marketing, Harris Bank
• Barbi Donnelley -- Civic Leader and Former National Trust Trustee
• Jason Erkes -- Founder and President, Chicago Sport and Social Clubs, Inc.
• Sunny Fischer -- Executive Director, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
• Gale Gand -- Executive Pastry Chef, TRU
• Lisa Johnson -- President and CEO, Gourmet Kitchens Inc.
• Ramsey Lewis -- Artistic Director, Ravinia
• J. Peter Lynn -- General Manager, Palmer House Hotel
• William Mason -- General Director, Chicago's Lyric Opera
• Vince Michael -- Director, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Lynn Osmond -- President and CEO, Chicago Architecture Foundation
• Tim Roby -- President and CEO, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
• Ty Tabing -- Executive Director, Chicago Loop Alliance
• Antoinette Wright -- President and CEO, DuSable Museum of African American History

About Partners in Preservation
The Partners in Preservation program is a philanthropic initiative designed to increase public awareness of the importance of preserving environmental, historic and cultural landmarks for future generations to enjoy. Through the Partners in Preservation program, American Express will provide $5 million to the National Trust to be distributed over the next five years to help preserve cultural assets. Last year the San Francisco Bay Area was the first region selected to receive funding and Chicagoland was the second region to benefit from the funding grant.

American Express launched a dedicated website (www.partnersinpreservation.com) and encouraged Chicagoland residents, and others who had an affinity for the area, to go online to learn more about each site, submit personal photos and stories and cast their vote throughout the five-week period ending October 10.

More information about the American Express Partners in Preservation program and each site can be found at www.partnersinpreservation.com.

About American Express
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

Historic preservation has long been the hallmark of American Express' involvement in the community, reflecting its recognition of the contribution of sites and monuments to a sense of national and local identity and the role that their preservation can play in attracting visitors and revitalizing neighborhoods. As early as 1983, American Express launched a cause-related marketing effort that raised $1.7 million for the preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. From 1996 to 2005, American Express contributed more than $10 million to help preserve 126 historic sites in 62 countries from the World Monuments Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites. In June 2006, the company announced the American Express Partners in Preservation initiative, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as its partner in the U.S. and the World Monuments Fund as its partner internationally.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.nationaltrust.org) is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to protect the irreplaceable places that tell America's story. Staff at the Washington, D.C. headquarters, six regional offices and 28 historic sites work with the Trust's 270,000 members and thousands of preservation groups in all 50 states.

Contacts:
Joanna Lambert
212.640.9668
Joanna.G.Lambert@aexp.com