Who We Are

The N.H. Preservation Alliance believes the best way to help preserve the character of New Hampshire is to work closely with communities, homeowners and a variety of partners to provide technical expertise in historic preservation, guidance in obtaining financial assistance and other resources, and leadership in implementation of supportive policies. Two core program areas -- Preservation Services and Public Policy-- work together to advance preservation in the Granite State. 

Please click here for our FY2009 Annual Report, a map of our recent service delivery and a report of our financial performance.

Preservation Services

A phone call or an email opens the door to expert coaching, consultation and technical assistance for those involved in preservation efforts.  Through our shared field services program with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we served over 60 New Hampshire communities in the last year.  Our staff comes to your site and works closely with you on topics such as funding, contractors, legal issues, or public relations.  We have found that this is a highly effective way to help advance local preservation projects. Our modest program of Preservation Services grants can steer projects to success by funding an early-stage evaluation of a historic building's condition or a developing a fundraising "road map" to save a community landmark. 

Get help saving your barn with a Barn Assessment Grant.  These offer matching funds to hire a barn restoration professional who will assess your old barn and prepare an in-depth report. 

Educational workshops ranging from window restoration to historical landscape strategies provide valuable information to help you solve problems in your historic home or guide work on a  local civic project.  Two alternating biennial events, the Old House and Barn Expo, and Saving Community Landmarks conference, as well as a new training program for heritage and historic district commissioners, draw statewide audiences and offer practical advice, networking and take-away materials. 

Special tours for Alliance members, usually held in the summer months, offer behind-the-scenes views of special places throughout the Granite State. These help tell important preservation stories that acknowledge the hard work of many people and serve to inspire others.

Preservation Policy

The Preservation Alliance provides research, outreach and advocacy to secure funding for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), advance a new tax incentive that encourages investment in downtown areas, and promote other preservation policies.  The Alliance also serves as a voice for critical needs and emerging issues, and has a lobbyist to extend its presence and effectiveness.

Candidates for major state offices receive a biennial preservation agenda created in partnership with the N.H. Downtown Resource Center, N.H. Division of Historical Resources and other partners in housing and community development. 

The Alliance's Seven to Save list draws attention and resources to the state's most important endangered places.   Our Preservation Awards program showcases the best building preservation projects as well as planning, advocacy and educational initiatives.

The Alliance works with individuals who are interested in donating a preservation easement to preserve the character-defining values of their farm, home or in-town building as well as groups that are interested in protecting a community landmark.  Easements that blend land conservation and historic resources are a current priority.

The Preservation Alliance's print publications and website  offer how-to information for homeowners and community leaders, links to local and national resources and updates on other opportunities for preservation-minded audiences.