As our new president calls for our committment to community service, consider opportunities that preserve or enhance your community and contribute to the economic vitality of your region.

Identify Special Places - Take a good look at your own property and your community. Know what you have, what you want to preserve, and where you want to direct investment. Talk to neighbors and "old timers" about their memories of the area. Contact the Preservation Alliance if you are interested in conducting a historic resources survey of your barn or one on a friend's property--of theater curtains, or your whole town -- and we'll help get you started.

Help with Special Initiatives -  Offer your time, talents or treasure to one of our Seven to Save listees (see link to left), or projects listed on LCHIP's register at www.lchip.org. Check other possibilities at www.usaservice.org.

Get Involved in Local Groups and Networks - Volunteer to serve your community on the planning commission, library board, cemetery commission, downtown organization or regional planning commission. E-mail the Preservation Alliance and let us know you want to be kept current on preservation news. Join the Preservation Alliance's New Hampshire old house and barn network.

Ultimately, historic preservation enriches each of our lives by preserving the unique character of the Granite State and connecting us to it.  The labor-intensive nature of restoration and renovation work creates good jobs and keeps money circulating locally. Preservation can also be considered "the original green."   Data from the U.S. Energy Information Agency shows that the only buildings more energy efficient than the ones built before 1920 are one built after 2000, and investment in older buildings, villages and downtowns can reduce demands for transportation, new infrastructure and new building materials.