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
On May 21, 2026, the National Park Service listed the Samuel D. Butters House (1875) in Prairie City (Jasper County) in the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance. The property is a rare and well-preserved example of the Italianate style in Prairie City and surrounding Jasper County. The house has characteristic Italianate elements of a low-pitched hipped roof; wide overhanging eaves with decorative brackets; tall, narrow segmental arch windows with cast stone hood mouldings; and a central hall floor plan. The house was designed by Iowa architect William Foster who was one of Iowa’s most prolific and influential architects of the late 19th century and who shaped the civic and institutional landscape of the state through a wide range of public and private commissions throughout his four-decade career. The Butters House contributes to the understanding of Foster's residential commissions and the stylistic evolution of his career. Congratulations Prairie City!
Looking forward to the Preserve Iowa Summit starting tomorrow. Preservation Iowa is hosting the opening evening reception food, drink, and conversation about historic preservation! There's still time to register at https://web.cvent.com/event/15fb3f27-c3e4-4975-9570-c3263f2ee0cd/summary Special thanks to the premier event sponsor, Hildreth Construction Services. Support also provided by TNT Tuckpointing and Hartman Spiller Architecture & Interiors.
Calling all emerging professionals! Register to attend our next Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice webinar. The webinar is free! Join us at 12pm (Noon) Eastern on Tuesday, June 2nd for our sixth episode of the series. In this episode, we will be discussing Site Management. We will be joined by Mitch Maniccia, Director of Operations at the Seward House Museum in Auburn, NY and Matthew Webster, Vice President of Operations for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. We are thrilled to have these two professionals share their experience with us. Join us to hear about the ins and outs of site management, including topics such as community engagement and security. Registration link: https://usicomos.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/usicomos/eventRegistration.jsp?event=231& Many believe that there is a significant gap between the preservation theory learned in classrooms and the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in preservation practice. Our Bridging the Gap webinar series aims to bridge this gap by providing specialized preservation training, addressing real-life applications that aren’t typically covered in academic settings. This series is funded by a grant from the Historic Preservation Education Foundation (HPEF).
The Iowa Architectural Foundation Announces its Call for Nominations for the Statewide 2026 Community Enhancement Awards THE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT THROUGH ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AWARD The Community Enhancement through Architecture and Design Award is intended to recognize those individuals, organizations, agencies, or communities, outside the architectural profession, who have had a significant and positive impact on the quality of life in Iowa through their support and championing of high-quality architecture and/or urban design. A history of success over multiple projects is encouraged but not required. Past recipients include EMC Insurance, The Stanley Family, Hawkeye Hotels, Krause Group, Drake University, Shelter House, Principal Financial Group, Marc Moen, Grinnell College, Mary & John Pappajohn, the Ruan family, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the City of Des Moines and the University of Iowa. THE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT THROUGH HISTORIC VITALIZATION AWARD The Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award recognizes efforts that are dedicated to historical vitalization. Like the Architecture and Design Award, this award category is intended to recognize those individuals, organizations, agencies, or communities outside the architectural profession. This may be a singular project or a collective group of efforts. Historical preservation and/or rehabilitation of an existing building will be considered. Past recipients include Mainframe Studios, Hawkeye Hotels (for Hotel Fort Des Moines), Des Moines Film (for the Varsity Cinema), and Rialto Theater. A jury composed of both architects and non-architects will select the award recipients. Submissions selected for recognition will be notified no later than August 17, 2026. Anyone can nominate candidates. All nominations must be received by 5:00 PM, June 30, 2026. You can find the nomination form here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSkuSwQVilcU92Qw7YXD_7_9R5YnIFW94-UOi8YhwxhYlljA/viewform Digital entries are encouraged, but if you prefer to send a hard copy nomination, please mail it to: Iowa Architectural Foundation 400 Locust Street, Suite 100 Des Moines, IA 50309. If you have questions, please contact Evan Shaw, AIA, INVISION, at evan.shaw@invisionarch.com.
The National Park Service is now accepting applications for three grant programs, the Save America's Treasures grant program, the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization subgrant program, and the Semiquincentennial preservation grant program. These grant programs are funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and help support important preservation work across the country. The deadlines for applications is varied and quickly approaching! For more information, go to: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/project-grants.htm Pictured: Oleson Park Band Shell, Fort Dodge Save America's Treasures Grant Program $25.5 million in funding is available through the Save America's Treasures grant program for FY25. These grants help preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections. Grants are split into two different opportunities, preservation grants and collections grants. The program was established in 1999 and since inception has awarded more than $350 million in grants to over 1,300 projects across the country. Applications are due June 16th. Learn more and apply today! Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program $17 million in funding is available for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization sub-grant program for FY25 and FY26. This program supports sub-grant programs that enable the rehabilitation of historic properties and rehabilitate, protect, and foster economic development of rural communities. The program was established in 2018 and named after longtime Vermont preservationists Paul Bruhn. Applications are due June 23rd. Learn more and apply today! Semiquincentennial Grant Program $11.907 million in funding is available for the Semiquincentennial grant program for FY25 and FY26. This program was established in 2019 to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States by supporting the preservation of sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation. The deadline for applications is June 30th. Learn more and apply today!
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