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
Eight Rural Iowa Historic Properties Receive Preservation Grants The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s State Historic Preservation Office has awarded $750,000 in Iowa Rural Heritage Revitalization Grants to support the rehabilitation of eight historic properties in Atlantic, Beaconsfield, Bentonsport, Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Harcourt, Lime Springs and Wapello. Two of these properties were listed on Preservation Iowa's Most Endangered List in the past. Funded through the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program, the grants will help preserve historic properties in rural Iowa. The funding marks Iowa’s first award through the competitive federal program since 2020. “Historic buildings help tell the story of a community, but they’re also part of its future,” said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority. “By investing in their preservation, we’re helping communities create opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors while keeping these places active and relevant for future generations.” Grants of up to $150,000 were awarded for preservation work at properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The State Historic Preservation Office received 13 applications requesting more than $1.4 million, nearly twice the funding available. This year’s grant recipients are: Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Depot, Atlantic Former Beaconsfield Supply Store, Beaconsfield Presbyterian Church, Bentonsport Bonnifield Log Cabin, Fairfield Former Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fort Dodge Harcourt Community Center, Harcourt Lidtke Mill Complex, Lime Springs Fairview Church, Wapello The Iowa Rural Heritage Revitalization Grant supports preservation projects in communities with fewer than 50,000 residents and outside urbanized areas. Eligible applicants included nonprofit organizations, local and county governments and federally recognized tribal councils in Iowa. Projects are required to provide a 30% cash match, comply with federal historic preservation requirements and follow The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation.
There's an excellent 30-minute video recording that explains the proposed changes to the Section 106 regulations and what is at risk here: https://culturalheritagepartners.com/war-room-for-threats-to-section-106/ Preservation Iowa will continue to post information about this rewrite and how you can voice your opinions. Stay tuned for updates!
Could this be the end of Section 106 as we know it? A proposed rewrite of 36 C.F.R. Part 800 could fundamentally reshape how the federal government identifies, evaluates, and resolves effects on historic properties. NCSHPOs initial summary outlines the proposal's potential implications for historic preservation and more specifically, for the Section 106 consultation framework established by the National Historic Preservation Act and potential impacts on SHPOs, Tribes, and local communities. ncshpo.org/2026/07/20/the-end-of-section-106-as-we-know-it/
The National Fund for Sacred Places (National Fund), a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust, gave a $70,000 grant to the Amana Church Society. They were able to raise $347,742 in matching funds in order to complete urgent repairs on two of its buildings: the Amana meeting house (1864) and the kinderschule (c. 1880), which became the new home of its community-serving food pantry.
From our friends at Preservation Action This week Rep. Dina Titus and Rep. Lloyd Doggett introduced the PRESERVE Act, which would establish a procedure to ensure that publicly commissioned art is protected and preserved during the federal building disposal process. Our federal buildings contain numerous historic artworks, like the New Deal-era murals and frescoes found in the Wilbur J. Cohen Building. Preservation Action is proud to endorse this legislation and appreciates the leadership of Reps. Titus and Doggett to ensure these irreplaceable works of art are protected.
A special opportunity to attend the Preserving the Historic Road Conference, September 30-October 1. This event will be held online. Registration is free but signup is required. For more information, go to: https://www.thcfriends.org/event/historic-road-conference/
