New Englanders asked to rally around Newport

By Ben Austin, Globe Correspondent

We practically invented the idea of historical landmarks and now we're going to get beat by Cincinnati?

The Newport mansions, a regional landmark for decades, is reaching out and asking for the support of fellow New Englanders. The mansions are currently neck-and-neck in a race with Cincinnati's Over The Rhine neighborhood in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "This place matters" campaign. Designed to make sure that America's favorite landmarks get their due, the campaign has a grand prize of $25,000. As of this morning, our friends on New Engalnd's southern boarder were trailing by a mere 200 votes.

In other words, New England pride is at stake! The rest of America knows we can get behind our sports teams, but can we get behind one of our favorite landmarks? Here's the chance to prove we can. To vote for The Breakers, email word "yes" to info@newportmansions.org. Don't forget to include your local zip code as well. The deadline for voting is today, June 30, at 4:59 pm.

And just in case you feel like showing just how much New England price you have, Trudy Coxe, CEO of Newport mansions, has made a list of the other ways to show support, such as telling friends and family to vote, sending out text messages, and posting the campaign information on your Facebook page. Whatever you do, don't forget to send your vote. It's time to show that New England pride is on the rise.