"The WPN and I set out to research the link between historic homes and wood, but we were shocked to find out so many Americans have never seen some of our most treasured national landmarks," said Joe Ruggiero, host and producer of HGTV's "Homes Across America." "Visiting these patriotic landmarks, especially around Independence Day, is a great way to rediscover our nation's history."

A Historic Study
The survey also revealed that aside from the White House, Americans ranked George Washington's Mount Vernon (50 percent) as the most patriotic home, followed by Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (19 percent), the Lincoln Heritage House (17 percent), the Betsy Ross House (11 percent) and the Paul Revere House (4 percent).

Abraham Lincoln's Historic Home

"While vastly different in design, age, size and shape, these homes all have one thing in common -- wood," Ruggiero said. "Visiting these historic sites, it's easy to see why they've stood the test of time. Our forefathers stressed durability throughout these homes - from their sturdy wood frames to their beautiful finishes."

America's Historic Cities
Additional survey statistics reveal that Americans believe Washington, D.C. (43 percent), Philadelphia (31 percent) and Boston (17 percent) as the cities that boast the most patriotic homes. Charleston, S.C. and Savannah, Ga. rounded out the top five.

A Tour of America's Historic Homes
America's patriotic homes offer a rare glimpse into U.S. history:

Mount Vernon

• George Washington's home for 45 years
• Georgian-style farmhouse located 15 miles south of Washington, D.C.
• More than 250 years old and a good example of wood post and beam construction

The Paul Revere House

• The famed member of the "Sons of Liberty" lived in this Boston, Mass. home for 30 years
• The only colonial-era home still in downtown Boston
• More than 300 years old -- most of the original wood frame remains in good condition

Colonial Williamsburg

• Located in Williamsburg, Va. and home to many of America's early settlers
• Original colonial-era community that features 500 restored and reconstructed buildings
• Tulip poplar was a common wood for home construction

Built to Last
It's no secret that these patriotic homes have had help over the years. Thankfully, like our famous landmarks, today's homes can last hundreds of years, but without nearly as much maintenance. To keep newer homes attractive for years to come, remember these simple maintenance tips:

• Practice practical preservation - For your own patriotic home, make sure you wash outdoor wood, such as decks or wood porches, once a year with soap and water or a commercial cleaner. Let it dry for a day and then spray it with a wood sealer to extend life and increase beauty.
• Take a walk for a healthy foundation - Stroll around your home at least twice a year. Check that all gutters are in good shape and that plants remain at least two feet from the foundation.
• Employ easy hardwood care - While many patriotic homes require monthly waxing of their hardwood floors, today's pre-finished hardwood floors offer decades of maintenance-free use thanks to ultra-hard factory finishes. For regular cleaning, use a broom, dust mop or vacuum. For more serious messes, use a hardwood floor cleaner, but never clean with soap, detergent or oil soap.

Thanks in part to the durability and strength of wood, many of the homes of our nation's earliest patriots still exist more than two and half centuries later," said Ruggiero. "I encourage anyone planning their next family vacation to consider a trip to a patriotic home - or even visit a historical treasure in your hometown."

For more information about the use of wood and wood products, as well as patriotic homes, call 866/ASK-WOOD.

*Impulse Research, American Patriotic Homes Survey, 2004