Public Notice Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of Sustainable Preservation of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Humanities Collection
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered the Cleveland Museum of National History, in Cleveland, Ohio, a Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grant (PF-301164). The project will support the replacement of a 35-year-old HVAC air handling unit to provide a more sustainable, consistent environment for its Humanities collection, which includes cultural anthropology, fine arts, rare books, and Museum archives.
NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History building is located in a National Historic District (Wade Park District, Cleveland, Ohio (National Register of Historic Places #82001372). However, the museum is not a contributing resource to the historic district. The proposed project will not impact the significance or integrity of the surrounding historic district in a way that would alter its National Register status.
On October 30, 2024, Joy Williams, Senior Project Review Manager for the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, indicated that the project will have no adverse effect. After reviewing Section 106 documentation and SHPO finding, NEH issues a determination of no adverse effects.
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov.
The deadline for submitting comments is November 16, 2024.
