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
https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/mt-pleasant/news/historic-preservation-project-near-completion-in-lowell/article_b2d558b9-232d-481d-b768-3130c260c26b.html
Iowa History Makers: FY2027 Grant Applications are LIVE! 🔔 The State Historical Society of Iowa is looking for projects that preserve, interpret, and share our state’s rich history. Over $3M has been invested since 2020—will your project be next? 🤔✨ About our Grants: 📍 HRDP Grants: Up to $50k for museums, archives, and historic preservation. 🏫 Country School Grants: Up to $5k to save and celebrate our one-room schoolhouses. ✅ Who: Nonprofits, Businesses, Tribes, and Individuals. ⏰ Deadline: May 1, 2026. 🗓️ Project Window: July 2026 – Nov 2028. Learn more about the guidelines and start your application at https://history.iowa.gov/resources/grants
National Preservation Atlas (NPA), the first-ever interactive map of the country's historic places and preservation protections, announces its launch and an educational webinar. https://www.preservationatlas.org/atlas?utm_campaign=Launching%20the%20National%20Preservation%20Atlas%21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter The NPA aims to illuminate the breadth, depth, and power of our historic places—and the legal protections and incentives that support them. Over the last year, our team has painstakingly read and interpreted thousands of pages of documents and legal texts, while cleaning and digitizing maps—including lots of blurry, incomplete, and hard-to-read ones. We're launching the interactive map that so far shows historic properties in the states of Connecticut and Nevada. Even as we continue building it out, the NPA already reveals fascinating patterns. Where do federal and state tax credits promote rehabilitation? Which property owners are subject to local review processes? And which neighborhoods have we chosen for formal designation, and which have we ignored? Join us at our Launching the National Preservation Atlas webinar, 11:00am (Central), Friday, May 1st, to learn more about the methodology behind the project, how to get the most out of the map, and how to use the NPA to improve preservation policies in your community. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oY0zrEYtSj-vsGadS0anTw?utm_campaign=Launching%20the%20National%20Preservation%20Atlas%21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter#/registration
⏳ Just 15 tickets left Eat | Drink | Architecture is this Sunday. Join us for an afternoon of food, drinks, and downtown exploration. 🎟️ Don’t miss your chance—grab your ticket now!
https://www.kcrg.com/2026/04/10/hotel-ottumwa-announces-closure/
Join in the celebration of Preservation Month this May! As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this Preservation Month, we’re looking to the places that bring its most powerful promise to life: “all people are created equal,” and to the preservationists, like you, who ensure those places endure. Access resources to help engage community members and your networks in your own celebrations! Feel free to add details about events you’re hosting, and visit our LinkedIn Group to see how others are celebrating Preservation Month in their communities! Resources are here: https://savingplaces.org/stories/preservation-month #preservationmonth #nationaltrustforhistoricpreservation #historiciowa #IowaHistory #iowahistory
https://www.kcrg.com/2026/04/13/we-people-its-more-about-just-building-school-effort-underway-restore-one-iowas-oldest-classrooms/?outputType=amp
Attend the Preserve Iowa Summit, June 2-3, 2026 in Ankeny! Preservation Iowa Members get $40 off registration!
The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Request proposes to eliminate nearly all funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), preserving only a limited allocation for grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This proposal would slash the HPF annual budget to just $11 million, a cut by nearly 95 percent. This marks the second consecutive year the Administration has proposed a near-elimination of the HPF. In FY 2026, Congress rejected a similar proposal on a bipartisan basis—recognizing the essential role the HPF plays in supporting communities nationwide. We urge Congress to once again stand strong in support of this critical program. If enacted, this FY 2027 proposal would effectively dismantle the nation’s core preservation infrastructure. The HPF supports State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and funds a range of impactful competitive grant programs—placing historic places and the communities they serve at serious risk. To demonstrate the reach and value of this federal investment, the National Trust’s Government Relations team developed 51 Projects for Preservation: The Historic Preservation Fund Across the United States. This resource highlights one preservation project in every state and the District of Columbia, showcasing how HPF funding drives historic rehabilitation, community revitalization, economic development, and the preservation of underrepresented histories. At a time when the FY 2027 budget proposal again calls for eliminating nearly all HPF funding, this resource underscores what is at stake. We encourage advocates to share these stories with members of Congress and help make the case for sustained federal investment in historic preservation. The HPF remains a cornerstone of the nation’s preservation initiatives, empowering communities to protect and activate places that matter. This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the HPF, as well as the nation’s 250th anniversary. The HPF is an active commitment by the federal government to protecting and illuminating America's rich history and has invested more than $2 billion in communities since its inception. Continued support for the HPF is essential to preserving America’s heritage, strengthening local economies, and ensuring these stories endure for future generations. Contact your elected officials today and urge them to support robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. https://www.house.gov/representatives https://www.senate.gov/states/IA/intro.htm
Preservation Iowa is sad to share the news of Harry Budd's death. Harry was the retired Director of Project Planning at the Iowa Department of Transportation. Harry did so much to honor Iowa's history while planning the state's transportation projects, working with Iowa's tribes and preserving the state's bridges. https://www.adamssoderstrum.com/obituaries/Harry-Smith-Budd?obId=48016377#:~:text=Harry%20Smith%20Budd%2C%20age%2089,posted%20at%20a%20later%20date.&text=Sharing%20helps%20friends%20and%20family%20stay%20connected%20and%20offer%20support.
The Jackson County Historic Preservation Commission cordially invites you to attend our FREE preservation program and tour on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Potter’s Mill Event Center in Bellevue, Iowa. #gristmill #IowaHistory #iowahistory #iowahistorydaily #iowahistorycalendar #silosandsmokestacksnationalheritagearea
Preservation Iowa has extended its deadline for Preservation at Its Best nominations!!! These are the "Oscars awards" for preservation in Iowa! Apply to get accolades for your hard work and successful projects. Nominations are now due April 15, 2026. We are looking for nominations in the following categories: Residential Rehabilitation (Single/Multi-Family) – Rehabilitation and continued use of single-family homes as well as multi-family residences. Commercial Rehabilitation (Small and Large) – Rehabilitation of a historic commercial building. Nominations accepted in two categories: small (under 5,000 total sq) and large (5,000 or more total sq). Adaptive Reuse – Conversion of a historic structure for a new or compatible use while retaining its architectural integrity. This category includes any mixed-use project. Public/Non-Profit Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation of a publicly/government/non-profit owned building. Maurice Losey Sacred Place – Rehabilitation/restoration/reuse of a sacred site, ground, space, place of religious assembly, such as a church, synagogue, mosque, or other related property. Rural Preservation – Preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of the Iowa rural landscape, heritage, or built environment. Sustainability in Preservation – Incorporation of sustainable practices into the rehabilitation of a historic building. The project does not need to be LEED certified, but should demonstrate how it illustrates sustainable practices. Special Projects – Films, Books, Websites, Podcasts, Plays, etc. that tell Iowa’s stories and promote the preservation of Iowa’s historic resources. Community Effort Award – A community’s concerted effort to preserve, protect, and/or promote a historic building, structure, district, site, or cultural resource. Martha Hayes Preservationist of the Year Award – Individual or group that has championed historic preservation planning, policy, or activities in Iowa. Paula Mohr Certified Local Government of the Year Award – Honors invaluable contributions by an individual or organization to Iowa’s CLG Program and to historic preservation locally, statewide, regionally, and nationally. Nominations are now due April 15, 2026. The Preservation at Its Best Awards celebrate exceptional achievements in historic preservation across Iowa. Each year, Preservation Iowa recognizes individuals, organizations, projects, and communities whose work demonstrates outstanding commitment to historic preservation. By honoring these achievements, the organization aims to inspire others to take meaningful action to protect, restore, and promote Iowa’s historic resources, fostering a broader culture of preservation throughout the state. Award-winning preservation projects often do more than celebrate preserved historic buildings – they demonstrate how these resources can be thoughtfully repurposed and reintegrated into their communities. By revitalizing housing, supporting local businesses, and drawing people back to downtowns and neighborhoods, these projects boost local economies while fostering community pride. They also inspire further preservation efforts, ensuring that Iowa’s rich heritage remains a vibrant and accessible part of everyday life. Award recipients are announced in June, at the statewide Preserve Iowa Summit in Ankeny, providing a high-profile platform to recognize exemplary preservation work and inspire others to engage in preservation efforts. By submitting a nomination, you help shine a spotlight on important preservation work in Iowa, celebrating the dedication, creativity, and impact of those who protect and revitalize the state’s historic resources.
Nominations for Preservation at Its Best Awards#iowapreservation #iowabarn #iowaarchitecture #IowaHistory #iowahistory #iowaaia
