Red Wing, Minnesota Named One of A Dozen Distinctive Destinations® by National Trust for Historic Preservation®

Red Wing, MN has been selected as one of the 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The award was presented to to city and tourism officials at a celebratory event held at the historic St. James Hotel on February 7. Selected communities are recognized for their vibrant downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture and strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization. The Dozen Distinctive Destination program is in its ninth year, and Red Wing is the first Minnesota city that has made the list. Past honorees include popular tourism destinations such as Asheville, NC, Boudler, CO, Cooperstown, NY, Mackinack Island, MI and Coronodo, CA.

Red Wing was cited for the historic preservation of privately owned homes in addition to treasured landmarks including the 1875 St. James Hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America, and the beautifully restored century-old Sheldon Theatre. It also was acknowledged for its environmental sensitivity, its strong economic base of locally owned small businesses and walking access for residents and visitors. This is yet another in a series of national awards Red Wing has earned in the past few years. The accolades are stacking up and city tourism officials couldn't be happier.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be named a Dozen Distinctive Destination city by the National Trust for Historic Preservation," said Kathy Silverthorn, executive director of the Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau. "We have always known that Red Wing's historic nature and idealic location on the Mississippi River make it extremely appealing as a visitor destination, but this prestigious award validates all the hard work on behalf of our community to grow vibrant businesses and visitor attractions while preserving the historic character and natural beauty of our town."

In 2007, Red Wing received an America in Bloom award for its dedication to landscape and garden efforts. It also received a Garden's Alive! Environmental Awareness award for its green space and wildlife habitat preservation efforts through work done by the city's Environmental Learning Center.

Red Wing also made the list of a best selling 2007 travel book, "1000 Places to See in the U.S. and Canada Before You Die" by Patricia Schultz, who cited the city's spectacular setting along the bluffs of the upper Mississippi, its historic architecture and the town's abundance of arts and festival offerings as reasons to visit Red Wing. She also touts the importance of locally produced products such as Red Wing Stoneware, Red Wing Pottery and the Red Wing Shoe Company, which also supports much of the town's development.

In 2005, the city was chosen as one of 24 Preserve America communities, an honor bestowed by the White House on cities which have demonstrated outstanding historic preservation efforts. Although Red Wing invests a great deal in beautification efforts, it has Mother Nature to thank for its gorgeous location along the bluffs of the Mississippi, nestled along one of the most dramatic bends in the river, surrounded by a canopy of desiduous trees including oaks, maples and birches. This colorful palette provides Red Wing with breathtaking beauty during the autumn months, so it's no surprise that the city has been named one of the top ten fall colors destinations in the country by citysearch.com for the past four years.

Red Wing is located on the Mississippi River along U.S. Highway 61, about an hour from Rochester and the Saint Paul Minneapolis metro area. For more information or to request a free visitors guide please call 800-498-3444 or email vistorscenter@redwing.org.