Fort Stanton, New Mexico

The $1 million the governor allocated for the administration building project will be combined with a $210,000 grant from the federal Save America Treasures to the Fort Stanton Historical Society, and $550,000 from previously appropriated state funding to the General Services Department, for a total $1.76 million restoration project.
 
Governor Richardson rejected a proposal that carried over from the previous administration that would have involved federal funding to establish a veterans graveyard at the fort existing graveyard but with state operating funding thereafter. Providing and maintaining proper burial grounds for the nation veterans has always been the solemn obligation of the federal government, Governor Richardson said. Washington shouldn't try to pass that responsibility off to the states. The state monument designation will transfer control of and responsibility for the historic core of the fort to the state Department of Cultural Affairs, where its continued development and preservation will be under the direction of the Museum of New Mexico Board of Regents. The Cultural Properties Review Commission Friday unanimously approved a recommendation that the state monument designation be applied. Final approval by the Museum of New Mexico Board of Regents is expected next month.    Department of Cultural Affairs control will ensure that all activity on the old fort will be done with the highest regard for historic accuracy and preservation, DCA Secretary Stuart Ashman said. We will keep the focus on preserving and enhancing the historical appeal of the fort.