Preservation Iowa About

Preservation Iowa was organized in 1991 as the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance for the following purposes:

To support, broaden, and strengthen the statewide constituency for preservation in Iowa;
To educate public and private policymakers who affect historic preservation issues at the national, state, and local levels;
To develop and implement strategies for insuring the preservation of individual and collective sites and structures of cultural significance to Iowa; and
To work in partnership with national, state, and local agencies and organizations whose activities impact historic resources.
These purposes are taken directly from IHPA’s Articles of Incorporation, found on our Organizational History page.

Download our Membership Form.

Our Mission

Preservation Iowa builds partnerships that enhance our economic and cultural future through the preservation of Iowa’s historic resources.

Why Preservation Iowa?

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.

We can revitalize Iowa’s historic communities using powerful tools like State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and property tax incentives for rehabilitation. Preservation Iowa is at the forefront of this activity with its constant advocacy for these programs. We work closely with the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs to sustain and improve their redevelopment incentive programs.

Iowa’s pre-historic and historic sites are important to Preservation Iowa. In partnership with the Association of Iowa Archaeologists, the Office of the State Archaeologist, and the State Historic Preservation Office, we advocate for the preservation and documentation of these sites as well.

Want to Know Even More?

To get a real sense of all that Preservation Iowa does for historic resources in the state, download our 2010 Annual Report ( 187.57 KB). In it, you’ll see details of our advocacy, initiatives, programs, and much, much more.

How to Help

Preservation Iowa has the most impact when working in cooperation with individuals like you and groups of people across the state to save historic resources in our communities. Combining our contacts and information sources, we are instantly aware when governmental action is taken or laws are discussed affecting historical structures. Therefore, we ensure our position is heard. Through newsletters, programs, conferences, special events, and advocacy efforts statewide, information is being used to educate the public and private sectors at both the local and state levels.

As a volunteer-driven organization, we need your help to ensure we are effective preserving Iowa’s historic resources. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, there are many ways to help:

BECOME A MEMBER – members support the work of Preservation Iowa through their membership fee. This fee is used to print the quarterly newsletter, The Iowa Preservationist, helps with operating expenses, and keeps our programs and website running. Additional donations above and beyond the membership fee are always welcome.

VOLUNTEER – are you interested in serving on the Board of Directors or a board committee? Perhaps you want to help us keep our Preservation News page up to date or want to sit at an information booth at a local conference? Let us know by sending us an email and we’ll help you get more involved in Preservation Iowa. You can also submit news articles and Take Action! items from your community.

TAKE ACTION! – you can help preservation efforts locally, statewide, and nationally by voicing your concern when historic resources are threatened. Write letters to local, state, and national officials; call your neighbor to let them know why a building or archaeological site should be preserved; attend public meetings on local projects that could impact historic places in your community; and let us know when we or other Iowans can join you in your efforts!