What is the National Trust for Historic Preservation?

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is the only private, nonprofit organization chartered by Congress to encourage public participation in the preservation of sites, buildings, and objects significant in American History.

The Trust is dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable.  Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and to revitalize communities. Its Washington, D.C., headquarters staff, six regional offices, and 21 historic sites work with the Trust's 270,000 members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. 

When historic buildings and neighborhoods are torn down or allowed to deteriorate, a part of our past disappears forever. When that happens, we lose connections with history that help us know who we are, and we lose opportunities to live and work in the kinds of interesting, attractive, supportive surroundings that older buildings can provide.

For more than 50 years, the National Trust has been working to help people protect such irreplaceable places. A nonprofit organization with more than 200,000 members, the National Trust is the leader of the vigorous preservation movement that is saving the best of our past for our future.

What does the National Trust do?

• Helps local groups save historic buildings and neighborhoods by providing the technical know-how and financial assistance they need.
• Demonstrates how preservation can revitalize communities through programs such as the National Main Street Center, which has brought new economic life to more than 1,600 downtowns and commercial districts nationwide, and Community Partners, which uses preservation as a tool for providing affordable housing in older neighborhoods.
• Has a nationwide collection of 21 historic sites open to the public.
• Teaches people about the benefits of preservation through workshops and other educational programs, including the nation’s largest preservation conference, a lively Web site, and the award-winning Preservation magazine.
• Promotes travel to historic destinations through Study Tours and Historic Hotels of America, and helps develop heritage tourism nationwide.
• Works on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures and city halls to encourage the adoption of laws and policies that support local preservation work.
• Goes to court to ensure that preservation laws are upheld.
• Works with "smart growth" advocates to revitalize communities and reduce sprawl.

What does the National Trust offer its members?

National Trust members receive Preservation magazine, free or discounted admission to National Trust historic sites, discounts on purchases from museum shops, discounts on Preservation Press/John Wiley & Sons books, and access to special services such as educational tours.

Where does the National Trust get its operating funds?

Funding comes from our members in the form of membership dues. Additional funding comes from merchandise sales and special contributions, corporate and foundation grants, endowment income, and fee-for-service contracts. For more information on giving a gift to the National Trust, please call (800) 289-7091 or e-mail us.