The city got exactly that this month with a National Trust for Historic Preservation Distinctive Destination award.

            Last fall, a handful of devoted Ellensburg residents nominated the city for the award. The detailed nomination, written by Historic Ellensburg member Fennelle Miller, along with several passionate letters, paid off. Only one other location, West Hollywood, Calif., was awarded for the Western region this year, and Ellensburg beat out seven other nominations across the West.

            The trust gives a dozen locations across the country this distinguished title each year. Necessary award criteria includes a proven dedication to historic preservation, well-managed growth, unique architecture, activities for all ages, cultural vitality, a large number of locally-owned small businesses and a pedestrian-friendly downtown.

            “Historic Ellensburg is the city’s leading historic preservation advocacy group, and we have been very involved in using our wonderful, intact historic downtown as a tool for economic development,” said Miller, past president of Historic Ellensburg and principal writer for the nomination. “We have fought hard to protect the downtown, and this seemed like a good way to show how essential these historic buildings and the businesses they house are to our community.”

            The award is an important one for the city. It not only acknowledges its historic preservation efforts and its strong heritage, but also sends a national message that Ellensburg is a great place to visit or live.

            “It puts us on the map as more than just a highway interchange,” said Ellensburg Downtown Association Director Timothy Bishop. “Those who visit Ellensburg will see there really is something great to explore here. The award is a piece of the tourism and marketing puzzle that we can really build upon and use.”

            Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce Director Ron Cridlebaugh echoed Bishop's sentiments.

            “This lends a lot of credibility to what we already have in Ellensburg,” Cridlebaugh said. “It gives Ellensburg national exposure and we're excited to be able to take this award and really market it.”

            To announce the award, those who were essential in making it possible will gather at the Clymer Museum of Art, 416 N. Pearl St., today (March 7) at 11 a.m. for a brief press conference.

            The awards have been in existence since 2000 and Ellensburg is the fourth Washington city to receive it. Other statewide cities that have won in the past include Port Townsend, Vancouver and Walla Walla.

            “Historic Ellensburg is thrilled to have been part of this process, and we fervently hope that the city of Ellensburg realizes that historic preservation can be such an important economic development tool that no effort is spared to preserve our downtown,” Miller said.

            The trust's special projects coordinator, Carrie Johnson, as well as the regional adviser who composed a writeup on Ellensburg to submit to the trust, said Ellensburg's historic downtown was what impressed them most.

            In the adviser's writeup, he said Ellensburg 'seemed idyllic,'” Johnson said.

            “Ellensburg was highly recommended. It is a small community, centrally located and stood out with its rodeo and Central Washington University,” Johnson said. The city's other events, visitor-friendly environment and historic architecture were also key in Ellensburg's selection, she added.

            The Dozen Distinctive Destinations award was started as a way to “promote large and small towns that had a commitment to historic preservation,” Johnson said. “We wanted to highlight these places in the country that stood out.”

            The trust, located in Washington D.C., was founded in 1949 and is dedicated to restoring historic locations as well as promoting heritage-rich communities.

            Other Dozen Distinctive Destination award winners for 2007 include Charlottesville, Va., Chatham, Mass., Chestertown, Md., Durango, Colo., Hillsborough, N.C., Little Rock, Ark., Mineral Point, Wis., Morgantown, W.Va., Providence, R.I., Woodstock, Ill., and New Orleans, La.

            Along with Fennelle Miller, Timothy Bishop and Ron Cridlebaugh are available for interviews. Members of the media can reach Bishop at (509) 962-6246 or at timothy@ellensburgdowntown.org. Cridlebaugh can be reached at (509) 925-2002 or at ron@ellensburg-chamber.com. Carrie Johnson with the trust is also available at (202) 588-6177 or at Carrie_Johnson@nthp.org.