National Trust for Historic Preservation

“We've been around for 151 years. There is a whole lot of things that have come and gone, but the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church is still here because I believe we are a church that was built to last.” We sat down with Reverend Arthur Price who serves as Pastor of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama to learn about the history of this storied congregation and structure that is a sacred symbol of the Civil Rights Movement: https://ow.ly/H6gR50WGik1 The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church is a 2024 recipient of the Trustees Emeritus Award for Historic Site Stewardship, which recognizes success and innovation in historic preservation, management, and programming at historic sites. Pictured: Restored sanctuary of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Photo by Lynsey Weatherspoo

Open to the public! If you can’t join us for the week of PastForward in Milwaukee, you can now sign up for one of our Field Studies ... without full conference registration! We can’t wait to show off our host city, Milwaukee, and the surrounding area during PastForward Field Studies, September 16-18. PastForward Field Studies take attendees behind the scenes to see innovative preservation practices at historic treasures not typically open to the public. From historic landscapes and iconic Frank Lloyd Wright architecture to collaborative programs at a local cemetery and inspiring success stories from America’s 11 Most Endangered Places list, there are practical “how-to” lessons for every profession. These exclusive experiences will deepen your understanding of how preservation tools can be used and offer opportunities to network with peers from across the country. Learn more about Field Studies and sign up today before they sell out: https://ow.ly/39qx50WMRZa

A key way of highlighting the benefits of historic preservation is by engaging local media outlets to bring the stories of historic sites, neighborhoods, or buildings to life. Here is a quick primer and five strategies for writing an Op-ed or Letter to the Editor (LTE) that will help you create a clear message to position your project in a way that gains you supporters and advocates: https://ow.ly/brIX50WHBpH

“The power of historic places can spark curiosity and empathy about people who are different from us.” As the National Trust celebrates its 75th anniversary, we were honored to gather in Nantucket’s Greater Light—a historic sanctuary reimagined by two visionary sisters—to reflect on the deeper purpose of preservation. President & CEO Carol Quillen joined Niles D. Parker of the Nantucket Historical Association and Mary Bergman of the Nantucket Preservation Trust for a conversation about the enduring power of historic places to foster empathy, curiosity, and connection. Moderated by National Trust Trustee Kelly Williams, the panel discussed how historic places don’t just preserve the past; they actively shape a more resilient and inclusive future. Greater Light is a property of the Nantucket Historical Association that honors the legacy of Gertrude and Hannah Monaghan, Quaker sisters who in the 1920s transformed an 18th century livestock barn into an art studio and summer oasis. Image 1: The panel discussion took place inside Greater Light in Nantucket. Image 2: A historic early 19th century barn conversion, now a private guesthouse. Image 3: Kelly Williams, Carol Quillen, Niles D. Parker, and Mary Bergman. Image 4: The sisters' personal aesthetic blended art and whimsy with an appreciation of the handcrafted. Image 5: Carol Quillen speaks to the power of place and all that preservation can create. Image 6: Hannah’s bedroom and retreat is much as it was when she left it in the 1970s.

Today, the National Trust and American Express are proud to celebrate five years of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program with the unveiling of the 2025 grantees! This year, 50 restaurants across the U.S. and two U.S. territories are each receiving $50,000 grants to help them renovate, grow and continue serving their communities with heart and heritage. Since the program began, we’ve awarded more than $8 million to 180 small restaurants in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands—preserving these landmarks while fueling local economies. Explore the full list of grantees, and check out our interactive map of current and past recipients, and learn more here: https://ow.ly/9l1e50WIP51

Villa Finale Museum & Gardens, the only National Trust Historic Site in Texas, is proud to announce that Vincent Michael will be joining the organization as Executive Director! Earlier this year, Executive Director Jane Lewis announced her intention to retire at the end of 2025. Ms. Lewis joined Villa Finale as a volunteer on its opening day, October 1, 2010, and became the Executive Director in May of 2012. During her tenure, Villa Finale has become a preeminent site of the National Trust, showcasing the impressive collection of fine and decorative arts and antiques amassed by the home’s last owner, Walter Nold Mathis. She has served on many committees within the National Trust and spearheaded the transition of Villa Finale to a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2017. In April of this year, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new “Mathis Gallery” which will serve as the site’s visitor center with reception, guest services, exhibition, and office spaces. After an in-depth nationwide search, the Villa Finale Board of Directors selected Vincent Michael to join the organization on October 1 as its new Executive Director. Dr. Michael has served as the Executive Director of the Conservation Society of San Antonio for the past nine years. He has a long affiliation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, formerly serving as a Trustee and Vice- Chair of the Historic Sites Committee, Chair of the Board for the Gaylord Building (a National Trust Historic Site in Illinois), and has served on strategic planning and technical committees for two additional National Trust historic sites: the Cooper-Molera Adobe in California and the Farnsworth House in Illinois. Currently, Dr. Michael is on the Board of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, the National Preservation Partners Network, Preservation Action, and the Beethoven Männerchor. Ms. Lewis and Dr. Michael will transition the role of Executive Director at Villa Finale through December 31, 2025, with Ms. Lewis assuming a part-time role on October 1.

On Monday, August 25, the National Park Service will celebrate its 109th birthday! The National Park System is one of the nation's most valuable cultural assets, protecting more than 400 unique places across the country. For over a century, the NPS has preserved our most iconic landscapes and historic sites for everyone to enjoy. However, after 109 years, our parks are showing their age. With an estimated $23 billion deferred maintenance backlog and inconsistent public funding, the places we love are at risk. This birthday, let's give our parks the gift they deserve: a strong future. The bipartisan America the Beautiful Act (S.1547) would invest $2 billion annually for eight years to preserve our national parks, public lands, historic landmarks, and their historic sites for future generations. Add your voice today! Ask your Senators to support S.1547 and ensure our parks thrive for the next 100 years: https://ow.ly/T8ln50WJQm8 Pictured: Canyonlands National Park, Utah Photo by NTHP staff

Last month, the Milwaukee County Board quickly approved spending $30 million on a complex plan to redevelop and restore the Mitchell Park Domes! In September 2024, the Milwaukee Domes Alliance unveiled “The Domes Reimagined,” an exciting new plan developed in partnership with Milwaukee County Parks and Madison-based real estate developer The Alexander Company. The proposed plan includes the full rehabilitation of all three Domes using historic tax credits, the addition of new visitor amenities and enhanced accessibility, and additional nature-based programming and education. The public-private partnership also includes the recent investment by Milwaukee County to match private philanthropic support dollar for dollar up to $30M. Learn more about the Mitchell Park Domes, a former 11 Most Endangered Historic Place: https://ow.ly/j7Zb50WHul9 If you join the National Trust at PastForward 2025 this September in Milwaukee, be sure to stop by the Domes! Secure Early Bird registration rates by TOMORROW August 23: https://ow.ly/U0OM50WHula Photo by Matthew Gilson

As we head towards the fall season, there are numerous funding opportunities available through grant programs administered by the National Trust! 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 (𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝟭𝟯) $50,000-$500,000 to strengthen capacity for historic congregations and preservation and community organizations to steward, manage, and better utilize their historic structures. 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝟲𝟲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 (𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝟯𝟬) $2,500-$10,000 to help preserve and enhance historic places on or connected to Route 66 for future generations. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝟲𝟲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 (𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝟯𝟬) $5,000-$10,000 for businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor, with an emphasis on projects that illuminate the narratives of communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 (𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟭) $2,500-$5,000 to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟭𝟱) Up to $10,000 to support current dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN) with grants focused on strengthening preservation organizations and addressing pressing issues in the preservation field. Explore all available grants, including eligibility requirements and application details: https://ow.ly/l4Cx50WJ6Ec We look forward to reviewing your applications and supporting your preservation work! Good luck!

At Belle Grove, a former plantation in Virginia, more than 270 people were enslaved between 1783 and 1851 by Isaac Hite Jr. and his family. Today, their names are being remembered and honored through a deeply collaborative and artistic effort. Artist Carole Gary Staples has worked alongside Belle Grove and the Winchester Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America to create two quilts stitched with the names of each enslaved individual. Volunteers from the community helped embroider each name and contributed to the hand-quilting process. One stitch at a time, thread and fabric were transformed into a powerful, permanent memorial. Gary Staples shares insights into her artmaking process and how the Belle Grove project became a personal reflection: https://ow.ly/8cwh50WHQ94 Pictured: At a quilting workshop hosted by Belle Grove during the Juneteenth Celebration on June 15, 2025 at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, participants add stitches to Carole Gary Staples' quilt. Photo by Irina Galunina