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
We invite you to join the only statewide nonprofit organization for historic preservation in Iowa. By becoming a member, you help Preservation Iowa support education, preservation, and advocacy work across the state! It's easy to join! Membership information is at www.preservationiowa.org and click on Become a Member in the upper right-hand corner. If you prefer to join by mail, you can also print out the membership form.
The round for Country School Grants is now open! For more information, go to https://history.iowa.gov/resources/grants/historical-resource-development-program
Webinar sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Leadership Forum Feb 25, 2026 01:00 PM (Central time) Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation for a briefing on the federal legislative priorities shaping historic preservation in 2026. The webinar will outline the core policy and funding issues that will define the preservation agenda in Washington and set the direction for advocacy efforts in 2026 and beyond. Led by the National Trust’s Government Relations Team, along with members from across the preservation community, this webinar will examine how we can: Support the Historic Preservation Fund Defend the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106 process Strengthen the Historic Tax Credit Protect historic places and cultural landscapes Participants will gain insights into congressional dynamics, emerging policy challenges, and how our unified preservation approach can advance meaningful legislative outcomes in the year ahead. We will also highlight key preservation advocacy opportunities throughout the year, along with how to stay involved and effective as priorities advance. To register for this free webinar, go to:
Congratulations to the Historical Society of Marshall County for the recent National Register listing of the Frederick and Mary Grumme House in Marshalltown! The Grumme House is significant as a well-preserved example of Late Victorian domestic architecture. With its brick exterior, three-story tower with mansard roof, tall, paired windows and elaborate cornice and brackets, this house combines elements of both the Italianate and Second Empire styles. The house was designed by local architect Homer Hall and constructed in 1877 for Frederick Grumme and his wife Mary Lindstrum Grumme. The house, also known as the Mowry-Irvine Mansion, is owned by the Historical Society of Marshall County which operates it as a historic house museum and research facility. This Grumme House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 6, 2026. #historicalsocietyofmarshallcounty #marshalltowniowa
Check out one of the most recent additions to the National Register! The Henry and Elizabeth Guenther House in Wheatland (Clinton County) is a distinctive example of the Queen Anne style in Wheatland, Iowa and was nominated for local significance under Criterion C. It was built in 1912, by Henry Guenther, a local banker. The Free Classic Queen Anne dwelling is two-and-a-half stories tall and dominantly front-gabled. The house has a cross gable on its east side and a gabled dormer on its west side. It is covered with an asphalt shingle roof and original wood siding. It sits on a rusticated concrete block foundation. The fenestration is mostly original, wood, sash windows, some of which have decorative, leaded upper sashes. Inside, the house retains much of its original oak woodwork, including banisters, a set of pocket doors connecting the sitting room and the dining room, baseboards, cabinetry in the butler pantry, and other features. A few interior fixtures have been replaced. A defining feature of the first floor is the elaborate main stairwell that can be accessed from the parlor and the kitchen. A 2003 addition is present on the south (rear) side of the house, which includes a greenhouse. This property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 6, 2026. Congratulations!
For Iowans interested in preserving historic places for music, here's an interesting free webinar. Wednesday, February 25 at 1 p.m. Central Preserve the Past, Build for the Future series, “Preserving America’s Historic Music Venues.” The 75-minute free webinar will feature three panelists who will examine why safeguarding historic music venues is essential to ensuring that future generations can connect with the roots of America’s musical legacy. In this webinar, we will explore the history of these iconic venues, preservation efforts underway to protect them, and the role they continue to play in fostering cultural identity and community pride. The session will include a Q&A portion, so get ready for a lively discussion! Register here (link fixed!): https://www.achp.gov/preservethepastbuildforthefuture
