WASHINGTON — The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2007 list of a “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” includes the town where Monticello is located to Hillsborough, N.C., cited in part as the home of a 1949 NASCAR speedway.

The organization recognizes 12 places each year for their dedication to historic preservation and recommends them as vacation destinations.

The Distinctive Destinations list included Charlottesville, Va., home to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland, along with Hillsborough, a North Carolina town with interesting historical connections.

Also among the National Trust’s Distinctive Destinations:

• Chatham, Mass., a coastal fishing town noted for its “architecturally rich walkable downtown” and “unspoiled” beaches.

• Chestertown, Md., an 18th-century port on the Eastern Shore with numerous well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes, along with boating.

• Durango, Colo., commended for its “charming Victorian downtown,” preserved Puebloan ruins and scenic location.

• Ellensburg, Wash., a “wonderfully preserved Victorian town” that is also home to Central Washington University and a place with opportunities for great fly-fishing.

• Little Rock, Ark., home to the Clinton Presidential Library and a World War II-era submarine.

• Mineral Point, Wis., described as “an architectural treasure trove” with Cornish rock houses, Craftsman bungalows, log cabins and neoclassical homes.

• Morgantown, W. Va., cited for its vibrant downtown, Riverfront park and miles of paved rail-trail.

• Providence, R.I., home to many landmark buildings, a Victorian park and four centuries of history.

• West Hollywood, Calif., cited as a “quirky-yet-sophisticated urban village” with diverse architecture.

• Woodstock, Ill., a village known for its town square, historic district, Mozart festival and “a Victorian Christmas right out of Dickens.”

ON THE NET

www.nationaltrust.org.