H.R. 965, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Redesignation Act

Floor Situation

On Monday, October 2, 2017, the House will consider H.R. 965, the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Redesignation Act, under suspension of the rules.  The bill was introduced on February 7, 2017, by Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) and was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, which ordered the bill reported by unanimous consent on July 26, 2017.

Summary

H.R. 965 would redesignate the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, as the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park. This redesignation will not change the management of the site by the National Park Service (NPS), but recognizes that the site is larger and contains multiple structures, unlike most historic sites.

Background

The Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site is a 190-acre site that encompasses the summer home, studio, and gardens of American sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens.[1] Augustus Saint-Gaudens was influencial in the creation of the Cornish Artist Colony in Cornish, New Hampshire and the American Renaissance artistic movement in the last 1800s and early 1900s.[2]

The house and surrounding gardens were originally designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and converted into a National Historic Site in 1964.[3]The site expanded its boundaries in 2000 and 2010, when NPS acquired adjacent farms.[4]The current property contains 21 buildings, a variety of contributing structures and sculptures, and two hiking trails .[5]National historical parks generally have greater physical extent and complexity than national historic sites, which primarily contain a single building.[6].

Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing the bill would have insignificant costs, subject to appropriation. Enacting H.R. 965 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.

 Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Dominique Yantko with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 3-1555.