As we celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in May, Preservation Action, in partnership with the Historic Preservation Congressional Caucus, is planning our Preservation Month Congressional Briefing on May 9th at 12pm. Preservation Action has hosted the annual briefing for the last several years with the goal of educating congressional staff on federal preservation programs and policies and key legislative issues impacting historic preservation.

This year, Preservation Action will be joined by a panel of leading national historic preservation policy experts and include discussion on improving and enhancing the Historic Tax Credit through the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R. 1785, S. 639), ongoing efforts to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund, which is set to expire in September, and more. This will be our first in-person congressional briefing since 2019. Stay tuned for additional information on speakers, opportunities to invite congressional staff contacts, and more.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

If you are interested in supporting this important educational initiative, consider becoming a sponsor. Check out our sponsorship page and the Sponsorship Menu to learn more about sponsoring the Preservation Month briefing and sponsorship opportunities available throughout the year. You can also reach out to us at mail@preservationaction.org with any questions.

Last week, the Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland, and the Director of the National Park Service, Charles Sams, testified before the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittees on the Biden Administration's FY24 budget request. In Secretary Haaland's testimony she specifically highlighted the inclusion of $2.5 million in Tribal Heritage Grants through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). During the Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee hearing, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) noted the passage of the National Heritage Area Act last year and spoke on the economic impact of National Heritage Areas.

In Director Sams' testimony he highlighted the important role of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs/THPOs) and the important work made possible by several of the competitive grant programs funded through the HPF. His testimony also noted the need to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund and the budget request's inclusion of a one year reauthorization. The testimony also pointed out funding for the Heritage Partnership Program, which supports National Heritage Areas and funding for the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Program. During questioning, Rep. Derek Kilmer thanked Director Sams for the support of the HPF included in the budget request, specifically noting the important work of THPOs.

President Biden's FY24 budget request calls for $177.9 million for the Historic Preservation Fund. This maintains current funding levels for HPF programs with the exception of congressional directed spending. Preservation Action submitted testimony urging lawmakers to support $225 million for the HPF, support for the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Program, and the Heritage Partnership Program.

Preservation Action will continue to follow the appropriations process and advocate for robust funding for the HPF and these other important preservation programs.

This week 22 Senators signed-on to the FY24 Senate Historic Preservation Fund dear colleague letter. The bipartisan letter was led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and was sent to the Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee. The letter requests $225 million in funding for the Historic Preservation Fund, the same level Preservation Action advocated for during Historic Preservation Advocacy Week, including much-needed increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and critically important competitive grant programs.

Thank you to everyone that reached out to their Senators and urged them to sign-on in support of a record funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. Preservation Action would especially like to thank Sens. Gillibrand and Cassidy for their efforts on these letters and continued leadership on historic preservation! 

The House version of the letter was signed by 86 Representatives and submitted to the House Appropriations Committee last month. Together these letters show substantial support for the Historic Preservation Fund. Did your Senators or Representative sign-on to the FY24 HPF Dear Colleague Letter? Be sure to thank them for their vocal support of historic preservation funding!

Globest: "Can Historic Buildings Support a Low Carbon Future"

Iowa: "IEDA Awards $25.4 Million in Credits to Iowa Historic Historic Preservation Projects"



Minnesota: "Report: Expired Minnesota HTC Could Generate Nearly $350 Million"

Nebraska: "Two Common Sense Proposals Would Provide Tax Credits to Nebraska Communities"

Montana: "Commerce Awards Over $730,000 in Grant Funding to Revitalize 15 Montana Communities"