The National Trust has announced the 25 communities across the country that will participate in its 2017 THIS PLACE MATTERS crowdfunding competition. Participating project groups from coast to coast will compete for the chance to win ? and raise ? much-needed funding to take on essential projects that include restoration, accommodating new uses, or improving visitor amenities at their historic places.    
?The 150th anniversary of Confederation is a great milestone to recognize the role historic places play in telling our national story and creating meaningful spaces to live, work and play,? says Natalie Bull, Executive Director of the National Trust. ?We are thrilled to see so many communities supporting projects in THIS PLACE MATTERS, because we know that saving and renewing historic places improves quality of life and will help build sustainable and resilient communities for the next 150 years.?    The 2017 THIS PLACE MATTERS Participants are: 
Big Projects (east to west)

The Union Art Project ? Sir William Ford Coaker Heritage Foundation, Port Union (Newfoundland)
Guardian of the Gulf ? Sydney Mines Tourism Development Society, Sydney Mines (Nova Scotia)
Windows into the Future ? First United Church, Truro (Nova Scotia)
#CoolDownNotman ? OSMO Foundation, Montreal (Quebec)
Reconnecting with the Ottawa River: An Historic Boathouse Revitalization ? Ottawa New Edinburgh Club, Ottawa (Ontario)
Flushed with Success — The Diefenbunker Washroom Project ? Diefen...