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
Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Government Relations team for an update on key federal policy efforts. With limited legislative days before the end of the 119th Congress, tune in to learn more about what Congress is working on and how you can help advance preservation policy priorities. The session will provide key updates on the fast-approaching end of the fiscal year, legislative momentum, and a discussion about potential lame-duck policy priorities. July 22 at 2:00 p.m. Central. Free and open to the public! https://savingplaces.org/upcoming-webinars Mark your calendars for this timely conversation and important update on the issues shaping preservation advocacy today.
Looking for a fun way to start your weekend? Tomorrow evening, see Des Moines from a new perspective. Join the Iowa Architectural Foundation for Architecture on the Move, monthly guided walking tour series that explores the stories behind the buildings and neighborhoods that shape our community. Through a special partnership with the Iowa Architectural Foundation, Preservation Iowa members can receive free tickets to the IAF’s tours of Downtown Des Moines. Members at the Tudor Revival, Prairie School, Pediment and Cornice levels are eligible for these tickets. 📅 Friday, July 10 🕠 Tour begins at 5:30 PM Advance registration is encouraged. Reserve your spot at: AOM2026.eventbrite.com. We hope to see you there! Can't make it this Friday? Upcoming tours will also be held on August 14 and September 11.
The Maytag Plant No. 1 Historic District in Newton was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 2026. This district has state level significance as a place of industry and invention beginning with the manufacture of the company’s first washing machines in the first decade of the twentieth century. The Maytag Company was a major employer and economic catalyst for the central part of Iowa, and their successes and troubles had ripple effects throughout the state. The company became one of the largest domestic appliance manufacturers in the world, growing and expanding within the current district boundaries through 1949, when it expanded into a second, larger factory campus about one mile away on the northeast edge of the city. Maytag also rose to the forefront of the Iowa industrial labor conscience through the 1930s with a number of significant labor negotiations and disputes, requiring in 1938 for Governor Nelson G. Kraschel and his surrogates to guide negotiations and assign the Iowa National Guard to oversee pickets and returns to the factory. Significant dates include periods of largescale construction at Maytag Plant No. 1, namely 1905, the 1910s, 1938. They also include years in which significant developments were made within the company, such as the introduction of their first washing machine line (1907), specific inventions/innovations, like the gyrafoam washer (1922), or particularly important industrial contributions such as wartime production (1941-1945). Congratulations Newton! #newtoniowarocks #newtoniowa #IowaHistory #iowahistory #iowahistoryjournal #IowaHistoryDaily
Congratulations to all of the SHSI Preservation Projects of Merit Award Winners! Preservation Projects of Merit awards recognize historic preservation projects that exemplify the best of preservation practices, meet the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, and utilize the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. All eligible projects were those which received final approval for state tax credits during the Iowa 2025 fiscal year. The Edward H. Jones House is the recipient of the Judith A. McClure Award. The Judith A. McClure Award recognizes outstanding preservation of a residential property with two or less residential units using State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program incentives. The French Way is the recipient of the Adrian D. Anderson Award. This award recognizes outstanding preservation of a small preservation project (less than $750,000) using State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program incentives. The Churchill Lofts is the recipient of the Margaret Keyes Award which recognizes outstanding preservation of a large historic preservation project (more than $750,000) using State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Incentives. The Warnock-Benson Building is the recipient of the William J. Wagner Award. The William J. Wagner award recognizes the historic preservation project which exemplifies conformance with U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation while using State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Incentives. Congratulations to all of the SHSI Preservation Projects of Merit Award Winners!
What are you ideas for "irreplaceable" sites in Iowa? The World Monuments Fund Names 10 "Irreplaceable America" Sites for the 250th Anniversary of the United States Independence.
