Vote for Colvin Run Mill in Historic Preservation Grant Contest

Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls is a finalist competing for part of a $1 million grant the park would use to restore some of its 18th century machinery. 

Partners in Preservation, a joint venture of American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is letting the public vote on which projects should receive funding for a project.

Voting started this week and continues through May 10.

You can learn more and earn points for Colvin Run Mill here (and also see a list of all projects that could receive grant money—there are two dozen in the DC area). Points are calculated based on online polls, Foursquare check-ins, Instagram photos and tweets. 

"Most sites will get at least a small percentage of the $1 million award, but only one will receive all of what it requested once the 17 days of voting are completed," Washington Business Journal reported. Sites had to prove they had historic importance, and a need that would benefit the community. 

According to the Fairfax County Park Authority, "For the past four decades, only the basement and first floor of the Fairfax County mill have been open to the public. Colvin Run Mill would use the prize money to fully restore the second and third levels, complete with functioning equipment to dry and sift flour and meal the old-fashioned way. Then visitors can see how the mill works from top to bottom."