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At the National Trust, we view historic sites not only as memories of the past, but also as dynamic places that shape our present and future.

These places root us in our communities, bridge generations, and reflect the rich and diverse story of America. As we celebrate Historic Preservation Month this May, our mission to protect these places – and the stories they hold – feels more critical than ever.

We have enjoyed collaborating with many of you since our last message—helping to get the word out to policymakers about the importance of federal preservation programs and engaging with the preservation community at key events.

These have included statewide conferences hosted by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) conference and Hill Day, the National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN) conference, the Historic Preservation Caucus Congressional Briefing, and several others.

These engagements represent just a portion of the collective efforts we’ve shared with our diverse coalition of preservation partners, all working together to advance the goals of the historic preservation movement on Capitol Hill and across the country.

This month has brought a number of significant federal policy developments. The release of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request has set the stage for pivotal funding discussions that will impact preservation efforts for years to come.

Budget reconciliation negotiations around the “One Big Beautiful Bill” are also in play in the House and Senate, with far-reaching implications for federal investment in cultural programs and community revitalization.

Amid these shifts, we’re excited about the bipartisan reintroduction of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) in both chambers of Congress – a major milestone we’ve worked hard to support. Our government relations team has been deeply involved in these efforts: meeting with congressional offices, collaborating with advocates nationwide, and keeping preservation priorities front and center on Capitol Hill.

As the policy landscape evolves, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the programs and safeguards that preserve our shared heritage.

We invite you to join us in this work. Visit our Action Center to explore our current campaigns and discover how you can help make a difference.

On April 28, 2025, President Trump appointed Travis Voyles of Virginia to serve as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), who will serve through June 2026.

While the full-time chairman role remains vacant, Voyles will perform the responsibilities of the chair until a new appointee is confirmed by the Senate.

Voyles currently serves as Assistant Deputy Administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Prior to this role, he served as Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he advised Governor Glenn Youngkin and oversaw five state agencies, including the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the State Historic Preservation Office.

His professional background includes service as Oversight Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works under Senator Shelley Moore Capito, as well as previous roles at the EPA’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations.

He also worked for the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Voyles holds a law degree from Florida State University with a certificate in environmental, energy, and land use law.

He also earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Georgia.

The National Trust looks forward to engaging with Vice Chairman Voyles in his new role as the Advisory Council continues its work to advance the goals of the National Historic Preservation Act and guide federal agencies in their stewardship of historic resources.

Released at the beginning of May, the fiscal year (FY) 2026 President’s budget proposes unprecedented cuts to historic preservation funding that, if adopted by Congress, would undermine preservation and community building efforts throughout the United States. Advocates are needed to reach out to their Congressional delegations and explain the positive impact historic preservation investments have in helping build stronger, more resilient communities.

Adding to this challenge is the fact that FY2025 historic preservation funding, which was approved by Congress earlier this year, has not been released to State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, or for already-awarded competitive grant programs under the Historic Preservation Fund.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation shares the concerns of the National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) about the impact delayed federal funding will have in administering national preservation programs at the state level. Most states now face imminent reductions in staff if current year funding is not released. Join the growing coalition of support for historic preservation funding and learn more on the NCSHPO website.

For perspectives and information at the local level, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) has also released material to help advocates support the Historic Preservation Fund.

Please also visit the National Trust's page on the Historic Preservation Fund for our fact sheet and take action to protect the Historic Preservation Fund.

Looking for specific examples to share as part of your advocacy? Check out this collection of projects, one for each state and Washington, D.C.

NCSHPO:

“There is concern over the future of the HPF, inclusive of the ability of SHPO offices to continue their work benefitting communities across the country. We cannot let that happen – and with the help of Congress, we can ensure that our national historic preservation program continues to be a partnership – fulfilling the commitment made to our historic places. Severing that bond, particularly in the face of our 250th Anniversary in 2026, sends the message that our history, our communities, and what fundamentally tells our American story doesn’t matter.” - Erik Hein, executive director NCSHPO.

• Historic Preservation Under Threat
• SHPOs | Historic Preservation Under Threat

NAPC:

“At NAPC, we believe strongly in the preservation partnership model established by the National Historic Preservation Act—federal, state, and local governments working together to protect our shared heritage. Without federal support, this system breaks down, and local communities are left without vital resources.” - NAPC

• The Historic Preservation Fund and Local Commissions
• The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) & Local Commissions
• How Recent Federal Actions Impact Local Preservation Programs

The National Park Service (NPS) serves a vital role in safeguarding the historic places that shape our national identity. From administering federal preservation grants and approving historic tax credit projects to stewarding nationally significant sites, the NPS helps ensure that our shared heritage remains visible, accessible, and protected for future generations.

Recent federal workforce changes have raised concerns about the capacity of NPS to continue this essential work. Preserving historic places requires specialized knowledge and sustained attention. Without sufficient staff, preservation projects may be delayed, grant distribution slowed, and expert guidance lost. Programs funded through the Historic Preservation Fund depend on the partnership and oversight of experienced professionals within NPS. The strength of this workforce is critical to ensuring that preservation efforts move forward efficiently.

NPS does more than protect natural landscapes. It is a cornerstone of the national preservation infrastructure and a vital resource to communities working to save the places that matter to them. We will continue to advocate for the resources and capacity the agency needs to fulfill its mission and support preservation across the country.

To help us with this ongoing work, we need examples of how these recent actions affect people and communities. Please share your stories with us. The more specific the examples, the better we can advocate for preservation.

These stories are essential as we work together to protect the places that define our past and shape our future.

Today, Main Street America’s Government Relations team released the organization's first-ever Policy Agenda, a landmark document outlining policy issues and recommendations at the local, state, and federal levels that impact Main Street communities. This agenda is the result of extensive engagement with hundreds of Main Street leaders, including local Main Street Programs, Coordinating Programs, and key stakeholders nationwide.

Main Street America has a strategic vision to be a leading voice in place-based economic development and community preservation. The Policy Agenda ensures that advocacy efforts across the network reflect the priorities of the Main Street movement. The agenda can be used by local Main Street Programs and Coordinating Programs as well as local, state, and federal government leaders to support the needs of Main Street communities. Main Street America will use this agenda to guide our work advocating for Main Street.

The Policy Agenda consists of introductory content, including the background, basics, and history of how Main Streets have long been drivers of economic and community vitality with the support of government partners. The main text of the document presents six key issue areas followed by policy recommendations at the local, state, and federal levels.

The six key issues are:

• Main Street Programs are Public-Private Partners
• Main Streets are Key to Sustainable Community Growth
• Main Streets are Mixed-use Spaces Ripe for Preservation, Rehabilitation, and Reuse
• Main Streets Are the Backbone of the Small Business Economy
• Main Streets are People-Centered Gathering Spaces and Thoroughfares
• Main Streets are Communities of the Future

Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.