Frequently Asked Questions

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How was the American World War II Heritage City Program established?

The program was established under Section 9007 of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019. (Public Law 116-9)

What are the benefits of being designated as an American World War II Heritage City?

Designation is an honorific that recognizes the importance of the U.S. home front during World War II. It's one way to nationally recognize a community as having made significant and important contributions to America's war effort. 

A designated jurisdiction receives an official letter informing them of their designation. They're then eligible to apply for permission to use the official program logo.

The National Park Service (NPS) also shares the stories of the designated jurisdictions on its American World War II Heritage City Program website. The place-based web pages include histories, photos, information about visiting designated jurisdictions, and links to other related NPS websites. This helps tie the jurisdictions into the larger story of the WWII home front and helps people appreciate the efforts Americans and their communities made to support the war effort and each other.

Are only cities allowed to apply for the designation?

No.

Any local government jurisdiction of any type that's recognized by a U.S. state or territory is eligible to be considered for designation as an American World War II Heritage City. These include, but aren't limited to, counties, parishes, municipalities, cities, townships, boroughs, towns, and villages.

In addition, a nomination doesn't have to be for a single jurisdiction only. The program accepts joint jurisdiction nominations as long as the jurisdictions share a contiguous border or overlap geographically.

Can a state or territory have more than one designated American World War II Heritage City?

No.

Section 9007 (a) of the Dingell Act allows only one designation per U.S. state or territory. If a state or territory already has a designated American World War II Heritage City, then no further nominations will be accepted for that state or territory.

Are there any Financial Requirements?

No. The American World War II Heritage City designation is an honorific.  There are no financial requirements either when a jurisdiction is applying for designation or after a jurisdiction is designated as a World War II Heritage City.

What's the nomination and review process?

In order to nominate a jurisdiction it first has to meet the Criteria for Designation.

If a jurisdiction meets the criteria its highest locally elected official can submit a nomination to the National Park Service during the designated nomination period. When the nomination period is open, an announcement will appear on the American World War II Heritage City Program website homepage.

Once the nomination period has ended, the American World War II Heritage City Program will acknowledge receipt of complete nominations and review them within three (3) months.

The Program will then submit reviewed nominations with recommendations to the Director of the NPS. The Director will forward the nominations and recommendations to the Department of the Interior for consideration and designation by the Secretary of the Interior.

Can more than one jurisdiction in a state or territory submit a nomination together?

Yes. Two or more jurisdictions can apply together in a joint application, as long as:

1. The jurisdictions are contiguous and/or overlap. Note: Joint applications with either discontiguous jurisdictions or ones that do not overlap will not be accepted. 
2. The nomination is endorsed by each jurisdiction's highest locally elected official.  

See current joint application designations at World War II Heritage Cities.

What are the Criteria for designating a jurisdiction?

Applicants must meet both criterian 1 and 2 in order to be considered for designation. While a nomination must meet both criterion, it does not have to meet all of the subcategories.

The criteria are spelled out in Section 9007 (c) of the Dingell Act. 

Criterian 1: Contributions by a city and its environs to the World War II home-front war effort, including contributions related to:

• Defense manufacturing, such as ships, aircraft, uniforms, and equipment
• Production of foodstuffs and consumer items for Armed Forces and home consumption
• War bond drives
• Adaptations to wartime survival
• Volunteer participation
• Civil defense preparedness
• Personnel serving in the Armed Forces, their achievements, and facilities for their rest and recreation, or
• The presence of Armed Forces camps, bases, airfields, harbors, repair facilities, and other installations within or in its environs

Criterian 2: Achievements by a city and its environs to preserve the heritage and legacy of the city’s contributions to the war effort and to preserve World War II history, including:

• The identification, preservation, restoration, and interpretation of World War II-related structures, facilities and sites
• Establishment of museums, parks, and markers
• Establishment of memorials to area men who lost their lives in service
• Organizing groups of veterans and home-front workers and their recognition
• Presentation of cultural events such as dances, plays, and lectures
• Public relations outreach through the print and electronic media, and books; and
• Recognition and ceremonies remembering wartime event anniversaries.

To explore the criteria in depth see the American World War II Home Front Heritage City Criteria Essays. 

Is there any grant money or financial assistance for designated jurisdictions?

No.

The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 didn't appropriate any funding for the American World War II Heritage City Program, so there's no grant money or financial assistance from the program for designated jurisdictions. Jusrisdictions may, however, apply for other grants administed by the National Park Service.

How do I request permission to use the American World War II Heritage City logo?

All uses of the Logo require permission in writing from the American World War II Heritage City Program. Any designated American World War II Heritage City may request permission to use the Logo. 

The Logo may be used only in association with properties, programs, or facilities that are located within a designated American World War II Heritage City. Note: The logo cannot be licensed for commercial use or non-profit fundraising.

Please see our Logo Request and Usage Guidelines (Adobe PDF) for more information on how to request the logo, where to send the request, and logo useage guidance.

How can I contact the American World War II Heritage City Program office?

Anyone who would like to contact the Program office can send an email to [e-mail]