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.