Building partnerships that enhance our economic and cultural future through the preservation of Iowa's historic resources.
The future of Iowa is sustainable communities with an authentic sense of place created by their important historic structures. The rehabilitation and reuse of our historic buildings is both economically attractive and environmentally responsible; it is important to citizens and visitors to our state as well as for future generations.
Iowa Programs
Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties
Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties began in 1995 to show Iowans the special buildings and historic sites that are slowly and gradually slipping away from us. The program provides an excellent resource for media coverage and introduces endangered property owners to preservation advocates and resources that can help preserve their historic property.
Preservation at Its Best Awards
Each year Preservation Iowa seeks to honor statewide successes through the “Preservation at its Best Awards”. In doing so, we hope to inspire others to take action to preserve, protect, and promote Iowa’s historic resources. Additionally these projects highlight the work being done around the state to preserve our historic infrastructures by re-purposing them to allow reintegration into their local communities.
Property Types
Preservation Iowa focuses on providing information, raising awareness and protecting property types that hold special significance for Iowans.
Its efforts encompass a wide range of historic resources, including residential buildings, commercial and industrial structures, sacred places, schools, and movie theaters, as well as rural properties such as farmsteads and barns.
Residential
Movie Theaters
Sacred Places
Commercial & Industrial
Schools
Farmsteads & Barns
Preservation News From Across The State
See inside Iowa City's centennial building as archival library closes
Time is running out! This is a great opportunity to learn how to advocate for preservation in our nation's capital! If you are a student, young professional, or amidst a mid-career shift in the historic preservation field and you have specific interest in preservation policy or federal advocacy, apply now to become a 2026 Bruce MacDougal Advocacy Scholar! Selected participants will participate in policy briefings and trainings, join congressional office visits, and attend key networking events. The scholarship includes complimentary National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week registration and a travel stipend. https://preservationaction.org/advocacy-scholars/
Des Moines has been waiting for a very long time for the Ingersoll movie theater to be saved! Congratulations to VenuWorks/White Oak Realty, Estes Construction, AKAY Consulting, and Sequel Architecture!
"Two Generations—A Family Connection on the Iowa Interstate": A Webinar Tuesday, January 13, 2026 7:00 PM U.S. Central Time (8 pm Eastern, 6 pm Mountain, and 5 pm Pacific) Father and son, Jeremy and Christian Schrader, make railroad photography a family affair. On January 13, they will share their photographic stories from the Iowa Interstate Railroad. Jeremy and his late father spent years chasing and photographing trains together, and now Jeremy is proud to see that same passion and tradition continuing with his son, Christian. Join us on Zoom to explore the art of rail photography with a father and son who prove that one train can inspire two completely different photographic approaches! To learn more and to register for this free event, go to: https://railphoto-art.org/ Photo caption and credit: An Iowa City evening with the eastbound CBBI (Council Bluffs to Blue Island) going by the Rock Island depot in the summer of 2024. Both Jeremy and Christian rely on electronic flashes for low-light photography. Photo by Christian Schrader.
