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
The National Historic Preservation Act celebrates 60 years today. Watch this five minute video that explains why six decades later this legislation is critical to preserving our nation's history. Please share to your own networks.
A large bill will be considered by the Senate right after the election that will adversely affect historic resources and public participation in federal projects at the local level. Read more here: https://savingplaces.org/press-center/media-resources/national-trust-rejects-key-provisions-of-permitting-reform-bill The National Trust for Historic Preservation has linked a letter here that you can send to Senators Grassley and Ernst: https://support.savingplaces.org/page/103529/action/1?ea.tracking.id=Email&ea.url.id=6157771&forwarded=true Or you can send a comment using these links: Senator Charles Grassley https://www.grassley.senate.gov/constituents/questions-and-comments Senator Joni Ernst https://www.ernst.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Preservation Iowa announces its call for 2027 Most Endangered Properties This program, established in 1995, serves as an invaluable tool for generating media attention and connecting endangered property owners with preservation advocates and technical resources that can support the protection and rehabilitation of their historic places. In many cases, local interest groups have also used the designation to leverage financial support, encourage partnerships, and catalyze community-driven efforts to restore and preserve threatened properties. Know of an endangered historic property in your community? Consider nominating it to Preservation Iowa's Most Endangered Properties program! Guidelines To submit a nomination to the Most Endangered Properties Program e-mail Nomination Form, digital images, letters of support, etc. to info@preservationiowa.org. Please use “Most Endangered Properties Nomination” in the e-mail subject line. Images may also be sent using a file transfer service, such as Drop Box, Google Drive, or We Transfer. If using Google Drive, ensure that permissions are set to allow anyone with the link to download prior to sending. Nomination Packet Must Include: Completed Nomination Form – be sure to complete all parts of the form. At least two (2) and no more than four (4) high resolution (minimum 300 dpi, 2MB in size) images. Ideally, one image preceding threat or an historic image and one current image. Please include photo credits There is NO nomination fee SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday, December 10, 2026 Submission to Most Endangered Properties provides Preservation Iowa permission to use materials in organization promotional materials. For more information, go to: https://preservationiowa.org/programs/iowas-most-endangered-properties/ Any additional questions may be directed to info@preservationiowa.org.
IEDA Receives $750,000 in Federal Funding for Rural Historic Preservation The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has received a $750,000 award from the National Park Service’s (NPS) Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program to support another round of Iowa Rural Heritage Revitalization Grants. The award is part of nearly $17 million in federal grants announced by NPS last week to rehabilitate historic properties and foster economic development in rural communities. The next round of Iowa Rural Heritage Revitalization Grants will open in December, with applications due in March 2027. Eligible applicants: Iowa-based nonprofit organizations, units of local or county government and federally recognized tribal councils. Eligible projects: Properties in rural areas owned by the applicant at the time of application. Eligible properties include buildings, structures or sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as National Historic Landmarks. The competitive federal program awarded funding to 25 projects across 20 states. These projects will be supported through a grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by NPS, a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior. This is IEDA’s third Paul Bruhn award and the second consecutive year it has received funding through the program, following awards in 2020 and 2025. The 2025 award supported grants to eight Iowa communities. To learn more, go to: https://opportunityiowa.gov/community/historic-preservation/historic-preservation-planning-programs/iowa-rural-heritage-revitalization-grant?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_c
From the National Trust for Historic Preservation There is a new threat to the National Historic Preservation Act. This is in addition to the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation's rewriting of the regulations for Section 106. The Senate bill Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will dismantle Section 106 and irreparably harm historic properties in the United States. The Senate plans to vote November 9. For 60 years, Section 106 has made one simple promise: before the federal government harms a place that matters, it stops, looks, and listens. Most reviews finish quickly and without controversy. Lawsuits are rare. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act proposed in the Senate by Senators Heinrich, Whitehouse, Lee, and Capito takes a process that works and tears it apart. To learn more and what action you can take, go to
As of September 29, 2026, the Earlham Downtown Historic District is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places! The district encompasses the small, Madison County community’s historic brick downtown, including buildings built between 1895 and 1975. Located along the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, Earlham grew as a predominantly Quaker settlement and thrived as a center for shipping stone, apples, wool, and other local products along the railroad. After a fire in 1901 destroyed a block of downtown, the local government and business leaders committed to rebuilding the commercial center in brick to safeguard against future fires. Some of the buildings constructed around this time included a lavish bank (pictured below) and an opera house, something few towns Earlham’s size had at this time. The buildings are ornamented with a variety of details popular at the time, including Victorian, Romanesque, and Colonial Revival elements. Even as times changed and the railroads became less central to Iowa’s commercial landscape, Earlham adapted to serve automobile travelers on the nearby White Pole Road. New buildings in this period were more restrained and reflected changing tastes for simpler designs in the middle of the 20th century. Today, almost all of Earlham’s downtown buildings still house local businesses, and the legacy of downtown Earlham continues. #iowahistoricpreservation #IowaHistory #iowahistory
