Brent Leggs

10/09/2026

I invite you to read Michelle Obama's reflection on Jacqueline Kennedy's enduring legacy as a First Lady of the United States and a steward of the White House.

This essay really resonated with me because it beautifully captures why preservation work matters so deeply. It highlights the importance of preservation work, the value of collaborating with preservation professionals, and illustrates how historical spaces can be updated mindfully. It also drives home the relevance of organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the role organizations like ours play in caring for, protecting, and celebrating our nation and its people.

Click the link to read more:

We should care for this country as we would our children

10/06/2026

I am incredibly honored to be recognized on EBONY's EBONY Power 100 List as part of this year’s Community Crusaders category, and I appreciate the opportunity to stand alongside others making an impact across Black culture. The theme of this year's list is “The Stories We Shape,” and I’m grateful to have my story and work recognized.

Establishing the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and leading its growth and impact over nearly nine years has been so meaningful to me. Now, as the National Trust’s first Black CEO, I’m excited to continue this work of expanding the American historical narrative and making new inroads into the field for the next generation of preservation leaders.

Thank you, EBONY for this recognition and congratulations to my fellow honorees.

Click the link to read more: https://savingplaces.org/press-center/media-resources/brent-leggs-named-on-the-2026-ebony-power-100-list

10/02/2026

Building on the positive momentum from the National Preservation Summit and the launch of our Historic Preservation Defense Fund, we have a movement ready to fight for our country’s cultural inheritance and to protect our shared history.

Together, I am confident that we can work with Congress to ensure the voice of the American people is heard, and continues to be heard, as part of improved permitting and Section 106 processes.

10/02/2026

It was such a pleasure joining Callie Hawkins, CEO & Executive Director of President Lincoln's Cottage for a fireside chat exploring the enduring legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and the ongoing significance of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in American life today.

Our conversation moved beyond the historical record to examine what the proclamation, and the 250th anniversary of the United States means for our national dialogue on freedom, equity, and moral leadership. We also invited reflection on how the power of historic preservation keeps Lincoln's most courageous decisions alive and relevant, challenging us to consider how the lessons of 1862 continue to shape our responsibilities to one another today.

Thank you so much Callie, National Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Trustees Chair Phoebe Tudor, National Trust Council members, and guests who made this such an incredible evening. The challenges and opportunities facing preservation work require moments like this one where we can come together and support our shared mission to expand the American story.

I also had the chance to share the vision for the National Trust’s Historic Preservation Defense Fund – an initial $10 million fundraising campaign to protect historic places and the laws that protect them. Click the link to learn more about the HPDF and how you can support this work. https://savingplaces.org/hpdf

Photos by David Keith Photography

10/01/2026

Our inaugural National Preservation Summit in September was nothing short of inspiring. If you missed the opportunity to join us in person or online, click the link for a thoughtful recap from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Associate Director of Content Priya Chhaya.

➡ https://savingplaces.org/stories/what-is-a-nation-without-its-history

The National Trust’s Associate Director of Content Priya Chhaya, shares insights, key themes, and reflections from last week’s National Preservation Summit.

For those gathered online and at the Washington National Cathedral, a place that has a long history of inclusion and connection, this question, “What is a nation without its history?” framed the panels that followed and became a call to action.

Click through to read the reflections: https://ow.ly/Wv6a50ZTb82

Photo by David Keith Photography

09/30/2026

Deadline extended! Nominations for the 2027 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places will now be accepted until October 8, 2026.

For 40 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has uplifted and catalyzed community-led preservation work at over 380 sites through a high-impact advocacy and public awareness campaign, resulting in increased visibility and new resources to save and activate historic places for the public good.

For the 2027 list, we particularly invite nominations for historic places that are facing threats related to proposed changes to Federal historic preservation laws and regulations.

We also welcome nominations that highlight overlooked aspects of American history and broaden our understanding of our shared national heritage.

Nominate today: https://ow.ly/mhka50ZSoU0

09/29/2026

This year, we have seen unprecedented attacks on the policies and processes that were designed to keep our nation's civic and cultural heritage safe for future generations. That is why I announced the launch of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Preservation Defense Fund last week at our Summit in Washington DC.

We are building a a $10 million, three-year fundraising campaign to provide resources for legal defense, public advocacy, and community action wherever historic places and the laws that protect them are at risk: from the White House to the Grand Canyon, from the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The National Trust has never done this work alone. Congress chartered us in 1949 to ensure the public has a voice in decisions about the places that define our shared history. It is a role we can only fulfill alongside preservation organizations at every level.

Ensuring America’s tangible heritage survives these ongoing assaults will require bold, coordinated action across the field. Together, we are one united and powerful preservation movement.

Click the link to learn more about the Historic Preservation Defense Fund and how you can support this work: https://savingplaces.org/hpdf

09/25/2026

It was such an honor to celebrate the National Trust for Historic Preservation's inaugural National Preservation Summit and my first National Preservation Awards ceremony as president and CEO. It was thrilling to be with so many luminaries in the preservation community, our board of trustees, and my friend, mentor, and Louise du Pont Crowninshield awardee, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander.

The National Preservation Awards celebrates the greatest achievements in preservation, highlighting distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and corporations that give new meaning to their communities through skillful and determined preservation work.

Congratulations again to the following awardees. To learn more about them, click the link: https://savingplaces.org/press-center/media-resources/national-trust-announces-winners-of-2026-national-preservation-awards

𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗛. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀:
American Lofts at Silo City | Buffalo, NY

Oregon Supreme Court Rehabilitation | Salem, OR

San Diego County Administration Center Renovation | San Diego, CA

𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝘂 𝗣𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱:
Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁/𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park | San Antonio, TX

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀’ 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:
Historic New England Festivals | Haverhill, MA

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽:
Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. | Arthurdale, WV

𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗛. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀’ 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆:
National Trust Advisors | Nationwide

Thank you to our partners at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for their ongoing support of the National Trust and the National Preservation Awards. Driehaus’s dedication to recognizing excellence and the next generation in preservation ensures that America’s history remains protected.

Photos by David Keith Photography

09/24/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who attended our inaugural National Preservation Summit in person and online. It was an incredible experience to be among allies in a united preservation movement!

09/24/2026

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is now accepting public comments on the Monumental or Triumphal Arch project and its effects on historic properties. This is a required part of the Section 106 process.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵 𝗽.𝗺. 𝗘𝗧 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿@𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗽.𝗴𝗼𝘃

“As a voting member of the ACHP, we were alarmed to learn this morning that the Section 106 consultation on the Triumphal Arch had been terminated. This is a highly unusual situation, but one that underscores the Arch’s overly rushed planning process.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟯 𝟭/𝟮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀—𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁. It’s also unfortunate that the proposed project alternatives and modifications have are not being considered.

This isn’t the way to make good public policy—it’s the bare minimum and they are just going through the motions.

This action, and the ACHP's proposed modifications to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, underscore the need for the National Trust's newly launched Historic Preservation Defense Fund to ensure the public continues to have its voice heard.

The National Trust will again be submitting comments in opposition to this project.”

Learn more: https://ow.ly/ySkF50ZRaNG