News
Stay informed and engaged with Preservation Iowa’s latest news, events, and initiatives dedicated to preserving the state’s historic places and promoting community revitalization. From advocacy efforts that shape state and local policies to innovative programs supporting historic preservation and economic development, Preservation Iowa is committed to making Iowa’s history a vibrant part of its future.
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PRESERVATION NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE
State Historical Society officials announced an agreement Friday to maintain public access to Iowa’s historical collections at the University of Iowa.
Passing this information along from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) 12/17/2025 Last night NPCA learned that Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is offering an amendment to the Interior Appropriations (as part of the 2026 Labor-HHS, Defense, Transportation-HUD, Interior-Environment and Commerce-Justice-Science minibus) to strike language intended to maintain the National Park System as is. This amendment was introduced Monday. His amendment encourages selling-off, transferring and giving away national parks. It’s important to note that Lee is telling Senate leadership that he has 51 votes to pass his amendment. Lee’s amendment #3972 strikes Sec. 130 in S.2431: Sec. 130. The Department of the Interior shall maintain all Federal lands designated as, or as a part of, a national park unit, a national scenic or national historic trail, or a wild and scenic river as of May 2, 2025 as Federal land and continue to operate such unit, trail, or river as an entity of the National Park Service including for such purposes as Federal employee staffing and entry, permit, and other fee collections. NPCA believes that this amendment poses a very real threat. While some Congressional offices seem to believe that National Parks could never be on the chopping block, we have ample evidence that the Department of the Interior believes they should be. Please feel free to share these examples with any offices that may be skeptical: President Trump’s proposed $1.2 billion budget cut to parks would lead to de-funding at least 350 national park units, which would ultimately lead to their closure The previously leaked DOI strategic plan explicitly outlined the closure or transfer of federal sites in addition to “right-sizing” monuments Secretary Burgum has openly talked about his desire to close and transfer park units. During Congressional hearings throughout the year, Secretary Burgum has indicated that, unless a park unit is considered a “crown jewel” and is revenue generating, that it does not deserve protection. “Some of these things that are barely visited, in remote locations, that require all the overhead of federal government…Many of them which have no ability to charge admission, I mean so they are just cost centers, is what they are.” – Secretary Burgum Lee offering this amendment is just his most recent attempt to establish the framework to sell-off public lands. Talking points on the amendment: Vote NO on Lee Amendment #3972 to Interior Appropriations Don’t let congress sell off our national parks Parks come in all shapes and sizes, from Civil Rights history in Birmingham and the turning point of the Civil War at Vicksburg to waterfalls in Cuyahoga and the coast of Acadia, our communities love our national parks and do not want them sold off or transferred away. A national park site is our legacy and promise to the American people to preserve nature and history for generations to come. Removing these one-of-a-kind natural and historic places from National Park Service protection and on the eve of America’s 250th birthday would break that promise to the American people and threaten the park system we all know and love. 332 million people flock to our national parks, monuments, seashores, battlefields and historic sites to learn our priceless, national heritage from the American Revolution, Women’s Rights Movement to the Wright Brothers first flight. They tell stories of American presidents, inventors, civil rights leaders, and underground railroad conductors. Dismantling our national parks would devastate local economies that rely on tourist dollars. NPCA has identified the following Senators, both appropriators and potential park allies, as targets for outreach to kill this amendment: Tier 1 - Collins, Graham, Murkowski, McConnell, Boozman, Capito, Britt, Sheehy, Daines, McCormick, Tillis, Hyde-Smith Tier 2 - Justice, Banks, Budd, Young, Cotton, Moran, Hagerty, Mullin, Rounds These Senators need to hear from organizations in their state about how important public lands and cultural resources are. It will be critical to get calls into Senators telling them Vote NO on Lee Amendment #3972 to the Interior Appropriations bill. Photo credit: Effigy Mounds National Monument, National Park Service, Harper's Ferry, Iowa
The Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellowship application will open in January 2026. This fellowship is a one-year opportunity to pursue preservation leadership development in which fellows receive a $10,000 award to support their innovative project. 🧱 🔨 Learn more at historictrades.org/goodall
The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) is pleased to open applications for the FORUM Scholars Program, supporting current students and recent graduates in preservation, architecture, history, planning, and related programs. FORUM is the only national conference dedicated to the needs of preservation commissions and staff. With hands-on workshops, tours, panels, and networking opportunities, the conference offers an invaluable introduction to the field. The 2026 FORUM will be held in Minneapolis in July 2026. Scholarships include: Full Conference Registration for FORUM 2026: Preservation Currents Up to three nights of lodging Reimbursement for qualified travel expenses* One-year NAPC Individual Membership NAPC is proud to support emerging professionals and help connect them with the people, knowledge, and experiences that shape the future of preservation. *Travel and per diem are typically paid upfront and reimbursed after the conference; however, NAPC can work with individuals for whom this would be a financial barrier. Go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZlY7kxuk5RH1-ZBLeE-wjQTrmtDmH5T0/view
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2025-12-12/rural-iowa-population-trends-heritage-family-farms
Some updates on the State Historical Society Library in Iowa City.
Reposting an announcement from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a suit in federal court to pause construction related to the proposed White House ballroom. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the suit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to halt construction immediately. With this filing, we are calling on the Administration to follow all legally mandated review processes by: • Submitting the ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission and U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, including a public comment period • Seeking Congressional authorization for construction in President’s Park • Complying with the National Environmental Policy Act through appropriate environmental review As the nation’s congressionally chartered historic preservation organization, we are acting to ensure that any changes to the White House campus respect federal law and preserve the historic integrity of the People’s House. Read our statement on the filing:
Help Us Find Preservation Lawyers in Iowa Last month, we launched the National Preservation Lawyers Network—a growing resource for lawyers passionate about protecting historic places and supporting communities nationwide. The network is expanding quickly, but Iowa is missing! Know a preservation lawyer? Invite them to join the network. More information at: https://savingplaces.org/lawyers-network And stay tuned for when we launch this resource in early 2026!
The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) is now accepting nominations for our biennial Commission Excellence Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of local historic preservation commissions, boards of architectural review, and dedicated preservationists at the federal, state, and municipal levels. These awards will be recognized at FORUM 2026 in Minneapolis in July 2026. These awards spotlight exemplary work of all sizes, from innovative processes and community partnerships, to impactful projects that protect and preserve local historic resources. Award recipients will receive: One complimentary registration to FORUM 2026: Preservation Currents in Minneapolis (July 22–26, 2026) Recognition during the Saturday Evening Awards Ceremony at FORUM 2026 A take-home award A feature in The Alliance Review, NAPC’s quarterly publication If your commission or colleagues are doing exceptional work, we encourage you to nominate them! Go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GaEseMInV6Z7wWHKisCYzlCusEaYOMpP/view
Final week to submit your speaker proposal for the Preserve Iowa Summit! The 2026 Preserve Iowa Summit will take place June 2–3 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The Preserve Iowa Summit is the state’s premier conference for professionals and volunteers involved in historic preservation. Through expert presentations and workshops, participants will learn new ways to preserve Iowa’s past for the future. Proposals for speakers and sessions are being accepted through December 17, with selections announced in January. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Rjl9DshYxEC1ygSrZ96RRe9-4cy4d9tIjiSp5Gp1FVdUQUNCQTVYTkRRTDhSWE1WSDJMUEFEVTRGRi4u&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_c
