Preservation Resolutions for 2025

At the Preservation Alliance, we’re impressed every day by people like you who are caring for an old house, barn or other special community place. To celebrate, we’ve put together some big and little ideas of ways to engage in preservation activity. We also didn’t want to miss the opportunity to provide some varied ideas and inspiration to those looking to make some sticky commitments on their 2025 resolutions list.

Seize Energy Savings

Recent photo of Preservation Alliance 2009 window workshop participant Monique Dumont of Jaffrey with her restored windows, holding up well 15 years after working on them.

  • An energy audit can help you prioritize investments; check NH Saves for options.

  • Focus on properly-installed insulation in your attic and at your foundation.

  • “Re-tune” old windows to keep cold air out and preserve original features of your old house. Maybe this is the year for new storm windows or for bronze weatherstripping.

  • Programmable thermostats and home management systems with remote features can lower energy costs and stress. Second home owners and others should consider systems that monitor water breaks and interior low temperature during the winter months.

Check our old house & barn resources for more information and our Directory of Preservation Products and Services for key contacts. We also have lots of webinars and blog posts about energy efficiency for older houses.

Engage in Preservation’s Benefits and Have Fun!

  • Be part of your town’s master planning process and be a voice for preservation. Help out your heritage commission or historical society, and let your elected leaders know where you stand on issues.

  • Mention the high job satisfaction and good pay for preservation trades people to a young person or someone looking for a new career. Learn more about our career exploration and internship programs.

  • Talk to friends and neighbors about the sustainable qualities of historic preservation. While the marketplace often tries to convince us that new is better, old buildings (usually built with climate in mind) can and should “go green.”

  • Invite someone to visit a local historic site, or hike and ski at a place with wonderful natural and cultural heritage. NH boasts a handful of small local ski areas from the 1930s that cost less than $20 for a ticket, from Claremont to Wolfeboro, Littleton to Manchester.

  • Thank community members who are stewarding churches, theaters or other community landmarks. Thank a neighbor who has fixed up his or her barn. 

Give to Local Preservation Efforts

Beverly Widger of Plainfield Town Hall and Stage Set Committees. Read more about the Town Hall project here. Courtesy Steve Booth Photography.

  • Join the N.H. Preservation Alliance or renew your support.

  • Become a member of your local historical society or preservation organization.

  • Help our one of our Seven to Save properties.

  • Buy a “Moose Plate.” Proceeds support New Hampshire’s natural, historical, and cultural resources.  To date, the plates have raised over $25 million for scenic curtain restoration and window repair at town halls across our state.

Preservation activity creates local jobs and keeps more money circulating in local economies than new construction, and is part of the landscape that attracts visitors and businesses to New Hampshire. For you, it also can be an activity that makes you feel good and connects you to special places, old friends and new ones.

Email us at projects@nhpreservation.org if you have a question on a different topic or have a suggestion for our readers.

Rebecca Howland