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
Check out Section 106 in the News for information on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and why it is currently a hot topic of discussion.
Preservation News from across the State and Nation
Main Street Iowa Awards $1.1 Million in Challenge Grants to 11 Communities The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today awarded $1.1 million in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 11 communities across the state: Boone, Centerville, Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Grundy Center, Lansing, Mount Vernon, Nevada, Newton, Ottumwa and West Des Moines. The grants support the rehabilitation of underutilized downtown buildings, spurring economic growth and encouraging further investment in Iowa’s historic main streets. Among this year’s recipients are: Boone — An 1895 commercial building will gain a restored stone facade, a first-floor cheese and cocktail lounge and two upper-story apartments. Grundy Center — Built in 1887 as a department store, a long-vacant building will house a furniture and home decor showroom, as well as a hair and nail salon. Ottumwa — A fire-damaged 1890 building will be transformed into a first-floor steakhouse and three upper-story apartments. West Des Moines — A vacant 1930s church will be converted into 20 salon suites, providing affordable space for independent businesses. “The impact of these projects goes beyond the buildings themselves,” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “They bring new businesses, new residents and more reasons to head downtown. And that momentum can spread beyond one building or one block and throughout the entire community.” The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center, which includes the Main Street Iowa program. Funding is awarded as matching grants to local Main Street programs for selected projects. The estimated total cost of the 11 projects is more than $4.3 million. “The Challenge Grant has consistently pushed many projects in Main Street communities forward,” said Jim Engle, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center. “These downtown building rehabilitation projects have created better business climates, brought historic buildings back to life and created a new, exciting vibe in our Main Street districts.” Since the first Challenge Grants were awarded in 2002, the program has provided more than $17.6 million in funding, leveraging more than $76.8 million in additional investment. Photo: 602 G Avenue, Grundy Center https://opportunityiowa.gov/press-release/2026-11-05/main-street-iowa-awards-11-million-challenge-grants-11-communities
Preservation Iowa has posted Section 106 success stories just like this one in Sioux City on our website. https://savingplaces.org/stories/section-106-gordon-drive-viaduct For more successful projects near you, go to: https://preservationiowa.org/resources/section-106/
The Mills County Sheriff's Residence and Jail (1916) in Glenwood (Mills County) was listed on the National Register in October! The building was designed by architect Omaha architect J.P. Guth in the Late Gothic Revival style. This building type, combination house and jail, was common in Iowa in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This arrangement allowed the sheriff to monitor prisoners around the clock and the sheriff's wife to do the cooking, cleaning and laundry for the prisoners. The building includes an enclosed exercise yard to the rear. The building was listed for its architecture and as a well-preserved example of a property associated with law and justice in the early twentieth century. Congratulations Glenwood!
URGENT ALERT ! ! ! Watch this short 5-minute video that explains beautifully how Section 106 is critical to accomplishing what the country needs WHILE at the same time preserving what the country cannot replace. https://www.106strong.com/before-its-gone-106-strong Then, share your thoughts with Senators Grassley and Ernst. Our senators need to hear from Iowans! Contact information is here: https://www.senate.gov/states/IA/intro.htm This is an urgent request as the Senate is scheduled to vote on SF Permitting Reform bill (Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S. 5653) in less than a week. For more information, visit: https://savingplaces.org/section106/updates AND https://culturalheritagepartners.com/war-room-for-threats-to-section-106/
