2020 Year In Review

Here are some stats that help tell the story of Preservation Alliance activity that led to saved and revived structures, more understanding of preservation strategies and benefits and more people connected to the Preservation Alliance and the preservation movement. All of this great preservation work is possible thanks to members and donors like you, our incredible statewide network of preservation practitioners, organizational partners and civic leaders. Please help us do more!

This past year, the Preservation Alliance:

Served over 120 projects in over 100 communities as well as hundreds of property owners. After COVID arrived, we gathered with you in over 30 public programs on Zoom and spent hundreds of hours with coaching property owners and civic leaders by phone. [You won’t be surprised that the didn’t break our mileage record this year.]

Our Seven to Save program continues to post an impressive fifty percent success rate. The new list includes the Concord Gasholder, that has attracted over 830 recent “save” petition signers and preliminary proposals for new-generation entertainment, arts, energy and food-related businesses, while still facing possible demolition.

We invested grant funds in over 50 community landmarks (a 100%+ increase!) thanks to partnership the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, The 1772 Foundation and the Northern Border Regional Commission and individual donors. Monies were used for assessments as well as repairs and restoration. Projects are located across the state, from Colebrook to Alstead to the Isles of Shoals. 

The popular barn tax incentive that we helped develop to save old barns is used now in 100 communities statewide, providing tax relief to owners of 603 historic agricultural structures. A long-time member donated easements on two significant adjacent properties in Kensington this year, and we have wonderful new old properties in our stewardship pipeline. And we “bat” .800 at Town Meeting with preservation “wins” for new preservation tools and funding for irreplaceable landmarks. We were pleased to help honor three individuals for outstanding and inspiring achievements over time — Carolyn Baldwin, Arnold Graton and Pat Meyers.

Here’s to many, many preservation celebrations in the coming year as the Preservation Alliance takes on new challenges. We welcome your questions and suggestions as we expand our educational offerings, address specific challenges magnified by the pandemic, and continue our work — along with you — to strengthen communities and economic vitality while saving, reviving and stewarding special places.

Thanks to all who support are work! With your investments, we can do more!