In recent months we have seen headlines that perhaps we never expected or could ever have imagined. The decision to abruptly demolish the East Wing of the White House without going through long standing reviews garnered widespread attention and inserted historic preservation into the national conversation. Preservation advocates are paying close attention to additional proposals from the Administration, like a proposal to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and challenging when necessary.

Meanwhile, we've seen increasing threats to bedrock historic preservation laws and programs that have been hugely successful and transformational in communities for decades. Historic preservation was again in the spotlight when the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing at the end of October to examine the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Section 106 process. While the hearing's witnesses largely countered many of the criticisms presented about Section 106 and demonstrated the effectiveness and efficiency of the NHPA, it is clear there is bipartisan interest in reforming the permitting process and reviews like Section 106. Thank you to everyone who reached out to their Senators; your advocacy had an impact. Preservation Action attended and submitted written testimony ahead of the hearing.

What makes these attacks especially hard to square is not only the successful track record of historic preservation programs across the board and throughout the years, but the fact that we are approaching major milestones in 2026, when we are preparing to celebrate our country's historic anniversary and the anniversaries of several of our major programs:

- 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation
- 60th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act
- 50th anniversary of the Historic Tax Credit Program
- 50th anniversary of the Historic Preservation Fund

Now is the time for every individual and organization to do their part and educate their members of Congress and their staff. Preservation Action and our coalition partners continue to stand up to these attacks, but our most powerful army is the network around the country of preservation leaders like you.

We will especially need you when we collectively make our voices heard in support of critical preservation policies and programs with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in Washington D.C., March 2-5, 2026. This Advocacy Week could be one of the most consequential advocacy actions for preservation leaders to make a difference in the midst of these current unprecedented challenges. Stay tuned for more; we expect Advocacy Week registration to open in the coming weeks.

As Preservation Action responds to these going threats, we need your preservation success stories. Do you have Section 106 success stories to share from your state? Please send those to us by emailing Rob Naylor at rnaylor@preservationaction.org. These can be among the best tools to push back on attacks and push forward programs and funding that are so critical.

And last, but not least, as we enter a historic year, please help us strengthen our efforts by making a year-end contribution to Preservation Action. Whether you can give $25 or $250, your support fuels all that we do. Donate today!

This quarter, we are pleased to recognize Alan Spears of the National Parks Conservation Association for his incredible work establishing monuments and shaping National Heritage Area policy. Continue reading to learn more about Alan's work. 

With preservation's best regards,

Russ Carnahan
President
Preservation Action