Western Regional Office
National Trust for Historic Preservation Western Office
The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Western Office serves Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Island Territories.
Anthea Hartig Ph.D., Director
5 Third Street, Suite 707
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: 415-947-0692
Fax: 415-947-0699
Email: wro@nthp.org
All across the West historic buildings and cultural landscapes are threatened by demolition, natural disasters, urban sprawl, escalating land values, deferred maintenance, and inadequate public awareness. When historic buildings are torn down or landscapes disappear, we lose tangible links to our past.
Since 1971 the Western Office has been assisting communities defend and preserve their defining historic and cultural landmarks. Working with state and local partner organizations, community leaders, public officials, and grassroots advocacy groups, this office provides technical assistance, small grants, and legal interventions to support the protection, stewardship, and continued use of heritage resources. Through annual national programs such as America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, Dozen Distinctive Destinations, and the Preservation Honor Awards, as well as regional and national grant programs, the Western Office brings Western sites to the forefront – promoting their preservation while building community pride and regional identity.
The Western Office is increasing public awareness and support for historic buildings and landscapes that reflect a more complete picture of the West's diverse heritage. Today adobes, single-screen movie theaters, pioneer general stores, Chinese temples, benevolent and fraternal organization halls, train depots, Native American sacred sites, farms and working ranches, WWII military resources, neighborhood schools, Japanese American internment camps, houses of worship, and labor history sites, all continue to tell compelling stories. By acknowledging the contributions made by diverse immigrant communities, this office is advancing public understanding of "who built the West."
Technical Assistance
Since it was founded, the Western Office has influenced preservation outcomes in thousands of historic communities across the West. We encourage concerned citizens, National Trust members, community leaders, public officials, grassroots advocacy groups, and state and local partner organizations to contact us for technical and advocacy assistance to save historic resources. Technical assistance can take the form of legal advice, access to National Trust programs, legislative advocacy, educational outreach, organizational development, preservation strategies for rehabilitation, and participation in conferences, symposia, and summits.
Grant Assistance from the Western Office
The National Trust's modest catalytic grants lend credibility, leverage additional support, and provide momentum to get grassroots projects off the ground. Trust regional offices offer access to three primary grant programs: the National Preservation Fund (NPF); the Johanna Favrot Fund; and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors.
NPF grant applications are reviewed in three grant rounds a year: October 1; February 1; and June 1. Once a year, in the February 1 grant round, applications are invited for the Johanna Favrot Fund and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors. Some states have additional funding available through specific endowments, and limited funding may also be available for preservation emergencies. Grants typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 (in exceptional circumstances, and when funds are available, grants may reach $10,000).
Funds are intended to assist nonprofit groups and local governments to:
- conduct educational programming, outreach, or community planning;
- hire consultants to provide fundraising, preservation planning, or organizational development; or
- provide professional engineering or architectural services.
Individuals and private, for profit businesses are not eligible to apply for funding support from the National Trust and funds may not be used to:
- acquire property;
- build, construct, or repair/renovate (so-called "bricks and mortar" activities);
- conduct academic research;
- prepare National Register nominations; or
- conduct historic resource surveys.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Western Office prior to submitting an application. Our staff can provide meaningful input and assistance in conceptualizing a project and strategizing to achieve a group's goal.
Please join us in our efforts to preserve the diverse heritage resources that define our West. By safeguarding the places where American history unfolded we reconnect ourselves to our history.
