2019 Preservationist of the Year: John R. Snapp

Man wearing a white baseball cap standing next to a wood shed

Preservationist of the Year ward winner, John R. Snapp, Preservation Iowa’s 2019 “Preservation at its Best”

2019 Preservation at its Best Martha Hayes Award: John R. Snapp (Cherokee)

John Snapp, secretary of the Cherokee Historic Preservation Commission, is actively involved in all aspects of his community’s history. As a photographer, he has created museum-quality displays to raise awareness of and appreciation for historic properties. As a writer, he has helped Cherokee obtain grants for preservation. As a volunteer, his countless hours of work have inspired others to share their talents to save northwest Iowa’s treasured buildings.


Preservation Iowa’s two most visible programs are Iowa’s Most Endangered and Preservation at Its Best. These two programs work well together because being listed as Most Endangered often times leads to awareness, a preservation effort, and a high-quality, award winning project.

The full list of Preservation Iowa’s 2019 Preservation at its Best award winners includes: