The hamlet of Oyster Bay has a new "feather in its cap." At the April 8 opening of the Oyster Bay Historic Walking Path based on the American Heart Association Start! Path, another marker for the hamlet was announced. Main Street Association Executive Director Isaac Kremer said that the White House named Oyster Bay as a Preserve America Community. It is the first hamlet to receive that designation. He said that makes the hamlet eligible for $250,000 in federal funds.

Preserve America is a national initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Transportation; U.S. General Services Administration; National Endowment for the Humanities; President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities; Institute of Museum and Library Services; and the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

Communities that receive the special designation as a Preserve America Community, demonstrate that the community: protects and celebrates their heritage; and uses their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization; and encourages people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.

Benefits of designation include: White House recognition: a certificate of recognition; a Preserve America Community road sign; eligibility for Preserve America grants; authorization to use the Preserve America logo on signs, flags, banners, and promotional materials; listing in a Web-based Preserve America Community directory. It offers mention in national and regional press releases; and enhanced community visibility and pride.