Category: News

2024 Preservation at its Best Nominations Open

2024 “Preservation at Its Best Awards”: Nomination Guidelines EMAIL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 15, 2024 Preservation Iowa, a statewide non-profit advocate for historic preservation, welcomes nominations to honor preservation success stories across the state through our Annual Preservation at its Best (PAIB) Awards. An independent jury selects award recipients. Awards will be presented at the 2024… Read more »

Most Endangered 2023 Call for Nominations EXTENDED

Guidelines To submit a nomination to the Most Endangered Properties Program e-mail Nomination Form, digital images, letters of support, etc. to lajjchs@juno.com. 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… Read more »

2021 Iowa Country School Preservation Conference – Oct 8 & 9

Iowa Rural Schools Museum

Go West, October 2021!  21st Iowa Country School Preservation Conference in Sac County. More information and registration available at https://www.iowaruralschoolsmuseum.net/contact Held at the Odebolt Community Center, 116 East 2nd Avenue, Odebolt, IA October 8 & 9, 2021

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs awards Rural Revitalization Grants

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs today announced $600,000 in grants for historic preservation projects in or near Creston, Decorah, Elkader, Keokuk and Muscatine. Iowa’s Rural Heritage Revitalization Grants will help rural communities preserve their history and foster economic development through the preservation of historic properties. The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of… Read more »

Notes on Iowa

PI Board member Kevin Mason is undertaking a unique project to document and communicate Iowa History! Check out his progress at https://www.notesoniowa.com/   “The history of the American Midwest, and Iowa specifically, constitute my primary research focus. You can read more about why I have chosen to undertake the ‘Notes on Iowa’ project under the… Read more »

Rep. Axne Introduces Legislation to Protect Iowa’s Only National Heritage Area

Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) introduced the Protecting the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area Act to ensure Iowa’s only National Heritage Area is preserved by extending the authorization for funding and eliminating the federal funding cap. “Through over a hundred sites in Iowa, the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area showcases our state’s deep connection with agriculture and… Read more »

2021 Preservation at Its Best Nomination Form

Call for Nominations: 2021 Preservation at Its Best Awards EMAIL DEADLINE: Thursday, April 15, 2021   PROJECT REQUIREMENTS DOWNLOAD (pdf) NOMINATION FORM DOWNLOAD (pdf) Each year, Preservation Iowa seeks to honor individuals, organizations, projects, and programs whose work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in historic preservation. In doing so, we hope to inspire others to… Read more »

RFP for Redevelopment of Burlington Elks Building

Excellent historic rehabilitation opportunity for an experienced developer! The Elks Building was constructed in 1883 as a 3-story building to house the post office and office space. It was expanded with a 4th story in 1907 along with renovations to the 3rd story to house the Elks Lodge. The building was bought by the Burlington… Read more »

2021 Most Endangered Properties – Call for Nominations

The Most Endangered Properties program started in 1995 to educate Iowans about the special buildings, sites, and structures that are slowly and gradually slipping away from us. Preservation Iowa designated 9 properties as the 2020 Most Endangered Properties and some of these properties have been highlighted in other preservation publications since their designation. In the… Read more »

Iowa Rural Electrification Documentary Wins 2020 History Day Top Honors

An Iowa team of high school students takes first place honors in the National History Day National Contest for Junior Group Documentary, “Rural Electrification: Breaking Barriers with the Flip of a Switch.” This documentary was created by Addision Naslund, Ben Philips, Hayden Wahlberg, Josie Jacobs and Lainey Schuknecht of Akron Westfield Middle School. Electricity was… Read more »