National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

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National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

Helping to build strong local preservation programs & leaders through education, training & advocacy.

06/08/2026

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Massachusetts is hosting a virtual Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program (CAMP) training today!

CAMP Trainer Adrian Scott Fine is presenting Standards and Guidelines for Design Review. This essential topic has the following important learning objectives:

✅ Gain a working understanding of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
✅ Identify where the Standards allow for flexibility and interpretation.
✅ Explore how commissions apply the Standards in real-world situations.
✅ Understand how the Standards and local guidelines can work together to support consistent, context-sensitive decisions.

Interested in bringing a CAMP training to your community? Reach out to NAPC to start planning a program tailored to your local needs. https://www.napcommissions.org/camp

06/04/2026

Headed to FORUM: Preservation Currents next month? Consider including a few of these fun, seasonal activities into your conference itinerary!

💜 Waterskiing Shows on Thursdays in Summer https://www.tcriverrats.com/
💜 Catch a Minnesota Twins baseball game https://tinyurl.com/2p9mz6cs
💜 Wicked is playing at the historic Hennepin Avenue theater, as are other great acts https://hennepinarts.org/events?page=2
💜 Two terrific shows are playing at the Guthrie Theater , (https://www.guthrietheater.org/) with its breathtaking river views and an award-winning restaurant on-site featuring authentic indigenous cuisine https://tinyurl.com/yc6886su
💜 Farmer’s Market on Saturday 8AM- 1PM in the Mill City Museum’s train shed https://www.millcityfarmersmarket.org/
💜 Just beyond the end of Nicollet Mall the Loring Park Art festival runs Saturday and Sunday: https://www.loringparkartfestival.com/
💜 The Walker Art Center and their FREE outdoor sculpture garden is accessible via a pedestrian bridge over Hennepin Avenue. https://www.walkerart.org/minneapolis-sculpture-garden/
💜 The Dakota Jazz Club’s shows, just up Nicollet Mall https://www.dakotacooks.com/
💜 First Avenue music shows, the venue featured in Purple Rain, where Prince used to party like it was 1999: https://first-avenue.com/
💜 Megan Moroney plays the Target Center: https://minneapolis.events/tickets/megan-moroney/
💜 City of Lakes’ signature festival, Aquatennial
https://www.mplsaquatennial.com/events

05/28/2026

Historic preservation is a sustainable choice. Reusing historic buildings diverts waste from the landfill, saves embodied carbon, improves density and slows urban sprawl. Plus, many historic structures were designed to be energy efficient (climate-adaptive design).

Interested in this idea and want to know more about retrofitting historic buildings to improve energy efficiency? Join us at FORUM: Preservation Currents and check out this session to learn more:

Energy Retrofits: Achieving a Resilient Future in Historic Districts
Friday, July 24 at 3pm

How can historic properties and districts lead the transition to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient future without sacrificing historic character? This session introduces new energy retrofit guidance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and how it can help architects, contractors, owners, and preservation commissions plan and implement energy upgrades in historic buildings.

Through case studies, participants will explore practical strategies such as improving window performance, installing all-electric HVAC systems, and using tools to evaluate energy use, carbon emissions, and costs. The session will also highlight how local preservation commissions are updating design guidelines and streamlining review processes to support historically compatible energy efficiency, electrification, and solar installations in historic districts.

Register for FORUM Here: https://forum.napcommissions.org/

05/27/2026

Connect your commission with professional training tailored to your community’s unique challenges and goals through NAPC’s Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program (CAMP).

Ready to get started? Complete the CAMP intake form today: https://tinyurl.com/3fsxydjp

05/22/2026

If you are working to build community through preservation, do not miss NAPC’s Messaging Guide for Local Preservation Programs.

Designed to strengthen communication and build support, the Guide offers practical strategies, clear definitions, and ready-to-use ideas to help preservationists advocate more effectively.

Whether you are looking for sample language, real-world examples, case studies, or connections in the field, this resource is meant to support your work every day, every week, and every step of the way.

We hope local preservation programs will return to the Guide often as a trusted tool to help advance preservation in their communities.

Download the Messaging Guide for Local Preservation Programs Here: https://www.napcommissions.org/messaging-guide

05/21/2026

Historic preservation builds community. It fosters pride in the places that matter, creates space to better understand diverse histories, and offers opportunities for people to come together and connect.

So much of this work is fueled by passion and a deep desire to belong to place, to history, and to each other. Through preservation, we begin to better understand our identity as individuals and as a community.

In recent years, NAPC has asked participants of CAMP (Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program) and our broader network a simple question: What is your WHY? What motivates you to do this work, and what keeps you going on the hard days?

The answers are almost always rooted in personal connections to a place, a memory, or a moment in time. Sharing these stories is powerful. It reminds us that preservation is not just about places. It is about people. And it is the people behind the places who make this work matter.

Share your WHY with us. Leave a comment here, or tag NAPC in a post!

05/20/2026

NAPC was happy to be in Ohio for a Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program (CAMP) hosted by Ohio

It was a great turnout from Certified Local Governments (CLGs) across the state.
CAMP Trainers, Sharon Bradley, Kate Singleton and Chris Wand,
presented the following topics:

❓Why Preserve
⚖ Legal Basics
🎨 Standards and Guidelines for Design Review
✋Design Review Exercise
📚Meeting Procedures
🚨Enforcement and Violations

Thank you for a wonderful, engaging CAMP Ohio!

Learn more about CAMP trainings on NAPC's website here: https://www.napcommissions.org/camp

05/15/2026

As part of National Historic Preservation Month, we’re highlighting The Positive Impact of Preservation, starting with its economic benefits. From supporting small businesses to creating housing opportunities and revitalizing Main Streets, preservation is a powerful economic driver!

These ideas take center stage at FORUM 2026: Preservation Currents, with sessions including:
• Historic Buildings, Housing Solutions: From Big Picture to Practical Strategies
• Main Street: An American Icon
• Economic Development Through Historic Preservation

Be part of the conversation this summer in Minneapolis! Join us by registering here: https://forum.napcommissions.org/

05/14/2026

Earlier this month, NAPC was excited to be in Memphis, Tennessee, for a Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program (CAMP) training. CAMP Trainers Will Cook, Beth Johnson, and Robin Zeigler had a great time leading the following CAMP Topics:

✅ Why Preseve
✅ Legal Basics
✅ Standards and Guidelines for Design Review
✅ Meeting Procedures
✅ Envisioning Infill Design
✅ Enforcement and Violations

Big thanks to for giving our CAMP Trainers such a fun and memorable stay! Built in 1906, the building has worn a lot of hats over the years. Before being brought back to life as the creative, character-filled place it is today, the building served as an early hotel for river and rail travelers, apartment building, and community space.

NAPC is grateful for the warm welcome, especially from Margot with the City of Memphis and Trey from Memphis Heritage, and for such a unique place to stay!

We'd love to start planning a CAMP in your community. Complete the CAMP intake form here to let us know you're interested: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFP4NlyMgSE_yaBX_ZzV3fdfJx-A_ps0fAARyRcG6Mc6wcBw/viewform

05/13/2026

In celebration of National Historic Preservation Month, we are highlighting The Positive Impact of Preservation. This week, we’re focusing on the economic impact. Preservation supports jobs, generates tax revenue, and strengthens local economies.

To explore this topic further, NAPC is excited to host a webinar TOMORROW Thursday, May 14th, Making the Case: Economic Impact Studies for Historic Preservation.

📆 Tomorrow, Thursday, May 14th at 1PM EST
🎓 1.5 CE Credits + Certificates of Completion Available
✨ FREE for NAPC Members and $15 for Non-Members
🔗 Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/3bapj7un

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Interested in becoming a member of NAPC and enjoying regular webinars for FREE? Sign up or renew here: https://www.napcommissions.org/membership

Address

Virginia Beach, VA
23451

Telephone

+17578024141

Website

http://napcommissions.org/

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