Building partnerships that enhance our economic and cultural future through the preservation of Iowa's historic resources.
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.
Iowa Programs
Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties
Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties began in 1995 to show Iowans the special buildings and historic sites that are slowly and gradually slipping away from us. The program provides an excellent resource for media coverage and introduces endangered property owners to preservation advocates and resources that can help preserve their historic property.
Preservation at Its Best Awards
Each year Preservation Iowa seeks to honor statewide successes through the “Preservation at its Best Awards”. In doing so, we hope to inspire others to take action to preserve, protect, and promote Iowa’s historic resources. Additionally these projects highlight the work being done around the state to preserve our historic infrastructures by re-purposing them to allow reintegration into their local communities.
Property Types
Preservation Iowa focuses on providing information, raising awareness and protecting property types that hold special significance for Iowans.
Its efforts encompass a wide range of historic resources, including residential buildings, commercial and industrial structures, sacred places, schools, and movie theaters, as well as rural properties such as farmsteads and barns.
Residential
Movie Theaters
Sacred Places
Commercial & Industrial
Schools
Farmsteads & Barns
Preservation News From Across The State
Check out one of the most recent additions to the National Register! The Henry and Elizabeth Guenther House in Wheatland (Clinton County) is a distinctive example of the Queen Anne style in Wheatland, Iowa and was nominated for local significance under Criterion C. It was built in 1912, by Henry Guenther, a local banker. The Free Classic Queen Anne dwelling is two-and-a-half stories tall and dominantly front-gabled. The house has a cross gable on its east side and a gabled dormer on its west side. It is covered with an asphalt shingle roof and original wood siding. It sits on a rusticated concrete block foundation. The fenestration is mostly original, wood, sash windows, some of which have decorative, leaded upper sashes. Inside, the house retains much of its original oak woodwork, including banisters, a set of pocket doors connecting the sitting room and the dining room, baseboards, cabinetry in the butler pantry, and other features. A few interior fixtures have been replaced. A defining feature of the first floor is the elaborate main stairwell that can be accessed from the parlor and the kitchen. A 2003 addition is present on the south (rear) side of the house, which includes a greenhouse. This property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 6, 2026. Congratulations!
For Iowans interested in preserving historic places for music, here's an interesting free webinar. Wednesday, February 25 at 1 p.m. Central Preserve the Past, Build for the Future series, “Preserving America’s Historic Music Venues.” The 75-minute free webinar will feature three panelists who will examine why safeguarding historic music venues is essential to ensuring that future generations can connect with the roots of America’s musical legacy. In this webinar, we will explore the history of these iconic venues, preservation efforts underway to protect them, and the role they continue to play in fostering cultural identity and community pride. The session will include a Q&A portion, so get ready for a lively discussion! Register here (link fixed!): https://www.achp.gov/preservethepastbuildforthefuture
The Orient-Macksburg School District announced it was closing its doors at the end of last school year, but now it’s facing the challenging decisions of what to do with its buildings and grounds.
Free webinar offered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Feb 10, 2026 12:00 PM (Central time) As thirty-eight states convene their respective legislative sessions in January 2026, Preservation Leadership Forum brings together three experts in state historic tax credits (HTCs) to share how New York, Kansas, and Maine each greatly improved their programs in 2025. Successes ranged from encouraging legislators to expand HTC percentages in rural areas to lifting the census tract restriction if a historic rehabilitation creates affordable housing. Learn more and ask your own questions about the latest innovations in preservation incentives and how to advocate for state historic tax credits. Speakers: Moderator: Renee Kuhlman, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Senior Director of Outreach & Support | Panelists: Terry Humphrey, Founder, President, and Lead Lobbyist, TERRY HUMPHREY Public Affairs Group, Inc.| Tara Kelly, Executive Director, Maine Preservation | Daniel Mackay, Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation To register for this free webinar, go here: https://savingplaces-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/6917683234999/WN_KYbdfBEpTaO3RqmpiaOEtg#/registrationregister/6917683234999/WN_KYbdfBEpTaO3RqmpiaOEtg#/registration
A huge "thank you" to Grant Darrah and the Gradient9 Studios team for the brilliant branding and website reconstruction recently completed for Preservation Iowa! If you haven't checked it out yet, visit https://preservationiowa.org asap! Support our advocacy and education efforts around preservation across the state by becoming a member for as low as $50 ($25 for students!).
2026 MOST ENDANGERED PROPERTIES Thank you to everyone across Iowa who nominated a property they care about to the Preservation Iowa 2026 Most Endangered Properties list. The sites highlighted over the past week are all in danger of deterioration or demolition. Our state's historic structures are a source of pride for many, and rehabilitation work can be a catalyst for reinvestment in the surrounding blocks. Please help spread the word! Check out Preservation Iowa’s website for more information about the Most Endangered Property program. www.preservationiowa.org Support the Most Endangered Properties Program and other of Preservation Iowa’s historic preservation education and advocacy programs by becoming a Preservation Iowa member today.
Become a Member/DonateProfessional memberships come with a listing in the statewide historic preservation directory!