Advocacy

For 40 years, Preservation Idaho has worked to protect historic places of significance to Idahoans. Though at times limited in its ability to affect real change outside of the Treasure Valley, Preservation Idaho has worked across the state in small ways and large to preserve the architecture and history that makes Idaho unique. Read about some of our past efforts »

Threatened Sites

Central Addition, Boise Across the state of Idaho, individual landmarks, significant landscapes, and historic districts are threatened by neglect, development, inappropriate alterations, and a lack of knowledge about the importance of historic places. Learn more about threatened sites in Idaho and help us identify more. Read more»

Exploring Main Street in Idaho

In an effort to revitalize and sustain the heart of historic communities and business districts throughout the state, Preservation Idaho, in conjunction with the Boise Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has supported the Main Street in Idaho project since fall 2009. Read more »

Idaho Heritage Barns

It is the mission of the Idaho Heritage Barn committee to recognize Idaho’s agricultural heritage through a statewide heritage barns program that documents Idaho’s historic barns and agricultural buildings; collect and share their oral traditions; educate the public about the importance of historic barns to their community; identifies sources of technical expertise for the owners of historic barns; and work with like-minded individuals and community groups to develop a network of friends of heritage barns. Read more »

Historic Schools

Boise High's Auditorium Threatened

Only weeks after completing the demolitions of Cole and Franklin elementary schools, the Boise School District (BSD) will decide the fate of yet another Boise landmark. In the latest of a series of seismic stabilization efforts at sites across the city, the BSD will soon decide how best to retrofit the historic auditorium at Boise High School. Read more »

Idaho Modern

Idaho Modern is one of Preservation Idaho’s newest advocacy committees. Its goals include planning tours, exhibitions and lectures, researching buildings, and serving as an advocate for Modern design. The group’s leadership, called the Mod Squad, meets monthly to plan educational events such as tours, exhibitions and lectures; research landmarks; organize field trips; and serve as advocates for Modern design. Visit the Idaho Modern website.

Sustainability

Image courtesy of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation

Historic preservation emphasizes building reuse from a cultural perspective rather than an environmental one. Reusing buildings is natural for sustainable design, but building reuse is rarely emphasized in contemporary green building standards. Read more »