Hamptons' Save-a-Landmark Program to Refurbish the Belle of Louisville

Volunteers from Local Hampton Hotels Renew the Belle in Time for Its 95th Birthday

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. October 08, 2009

OCTOBER 8, 2009 - Volunteers from Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark program will join together to help refurbish one of America's most treasured steamboats, the Belle of Louisville. The Belle is recognized as the oldest continuously operated Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world. More than twenty local Hampton Hotel volunteers will be on site to get the steamboat ready to celebrate her 95th birthday.

As a part of the Save-A-Landmark program, volunteers will complete a variety of projects in order to preserve the steamboat's historical significance. These projects include such tasks as painting, polishing, cleaning, and replacing fixtures. Additionally, Hampton Hotels will present the Belle of Louisville with a $10,000 check for future refurbishment efforts.

'Hampton Hotels is honored to be a part of the preservation effort of this historic vessel,' said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of global brand marketing for Hampton Hotels. 'The Belle of Louisville has played a significant role in America's past, and we hope that this contribution will ensure that she celebrates many more birthdays for years to come.'

As one of the oldest steamboats in the world, the Belle has traveled far and wide while constantly adapting to new roles as the times changed. Built in 1914, the Belle, originally named the Idlewild, spent her early years as a ferry between Memphis, TN and West Memphis, AR. She was made to haul cargo, but this versatile vessel could also handle excursions and traveled from state to state through the Mississippi River systems. The Belle also had a brief military career during World War II towing oil barges along the river by day and bringing fun to the troops as a floating U.S.O. club by night. The boat was sold in 1947, and the owner changed her name from the Idlewild to the Avalon, which remained for the next 13 years. In 1962, the city of Louisville bought the vessel and did major repairs to its worn exterior and donned it with the name Belle of Louisville.

The Belle was made a National Historic Landmark in 1989 and is on the National Register for Historic Places. She continues to be owned by the Louisville Metro government and is operated by the Waterfront Development Corporation. Today, the Belle spends her days taking passengers along the Ohio River. This legendary lady is one of the only remaining vessels of an era that contributed dramatically to the economic, social and cultural development of our country.

The Belle of Louisville is the eighth landmark to be refurbished in 2009. This year, Hampton is devoted to restoring sites that represent what it means to be American, just like the Belle of Louisville, who has endured nearly 95 years of American history. Each site that Save-A-Landmark will refurbish reflects the individual personalities of the states and their residents, and signifies defining moments in the country's past.

Communities across the country showed their American spirit by casting thousands of votes to help elect the nine landmarks that will be restored this year. The public voted for their favorite 'All-American Landmarks' in nine states, including Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Voting for 2010 landmarks will begin November 2nd on www.hamptonlandmarks.com, where visitors will be able to vote for the next sites Save-A-Landmark will visit and help the program reach its goal of saving one landmark in all 50 states.

Over the years, Hampton has worked to preserve 48 other historical, fun and cultural landmarks from the Carousel Gardens in New Orleans, La. to the historical National Monument of the Forefathers in Plymouth, Mass. During this time, the program has helped research landmarks in need, promoted landmark sites and their importance, facilitated tens of thousands of volunteer hours, donated several tons of supplies and worked with matching grants - all at an investment of more than $3.5 million. Uniting its hotels together in the communities they serve, Hampton employee-volunteers work hand-in-hand on the landmarks while Hampton provides the financial support to refurbish selected sites. The Save-A-Landmark program has already successfully refurbished a landmark in 39 states.