At the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we recognize how our work is driven by our supporters’ passion for historic and old places across the country. In February, we asked readers of our weekly newsletter to share their historic building love stories. The stories were both short and sweet, and in some cases incredibly creative—highlighting both the familiar to landmarks connected to personal history. Here are clips of the responses that came our way.

If you could give one historic building a Valentine, which would it be (and what’s your love story)?

A Valentine to First Avenue (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

A station was built for Greyhound in 1937,
First Avenue and Seventh was the site of this heaven.
In Downtown Minneapolis, with crowds galore,
It needed a use when busses used it no more.
Fingerhut and Stevens bought it, turned it into a club,
First called The Depot, it became much more than a pub.
With musicians ranging from metal to rap,
A man named Prince put First Avenue on the map.
Architectural elements may not have survived,
But cultural significance must be derived.
So many nights dancing, the place I was young,
This is the place where my love song is sung.
If I could hang a plaque from the roof to the ground
It would say, "This is the very best bus depot around"
– Shannon L.

Smith Hall (Kansas City, Missouri)

My Valentine would be for Smith Hall on the campus of Kansas City University in Kansas City. A group of preservation-minded neighbors have been fighting to save this building from being demolished by the university. It's by Henry F. Hoit, a significant KC architect, built in 1927 to house and train nurses at what was the original Children's Mercy Hospital.
– Virginia B.

President Street Station (Baltimore, Maryland)

The one historic building that I would like to have a Valentine is President Street Station of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad in Baltimore. It is the oldest surviving big city railroad station, and home to the Baltimore Civil War Museum.
– Paul O.

Childhood Home of Art Tatum (Toledo, Ohio)

The childhood home of jazz pianist Art Tatum, a native of Toledo, Ohio. His childhood home would be the Valentine I'd give. The Black community in Toledo and the surrounding area is very rich in important history, in fact, in many areas of life, Toledo was ahead of its time.

As a passionate historic preservation advocate, I have wanted to see the Art Tatum house turned into a museum and archive, managed by a professional archivist. Perhaps music lessons could be provided at no cost to the local community as well.
– Cynthia J.

Home Designed by Horatio Nelson White (Syracuse, New York)

My teacher, supporter, my home. In 1976, a monumental anniversary year for preservation, I “adopted” a house. It became my love. Decades of work and restoration to save the last standing home presumed to have been designed by architect Horatio Nelson White (the builder was Henry Russell) from demolition.

As an artist it drew me in and taught me to hand grain, cast plaster molding, and restore the site to its1864 era beauty. It took most of my adult life and helped develop a career as an historic preservationist. Many restored houses later, it gives back the most wonderful experience to guests who visit and share its beauty.

– Joan F.

The Hall of State in Fair Park (Dallas, Texas)

I would give a Valentine to The Hall of State in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas. The building is historical and gorgeous. Built in 1936, it is full of incredible murals and statues depicting the history and heroes of Texas. I volunteered as a docent there during the State Fair of Texas and it is so much fun to see the delighted look on people's faces when they discover the beauty and history inside the building.
– Paul T.

Maguire Hall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

I’d send a Valentine to Woodmere's Maguire Hall! ❤️ Our love story started in 1852 (long before I was born) when it was built as a dreamy Gilded Age summer retreat from Philly, hosting long dinners and conversations. Over the years, it lived a dozen lives (Home of industrial magnates! Dorms for a girls’ academy! A college residence! A convent!), and somehow, instead of losing itself, it just kept getting more interesting, collecting architectural notes along the way.

What made me fall in love with Maguire Hall is its latest chapter with Woodmere, a local museum showing the art of Philadelphia. The renovation didn’t try to turn it into something slick or unrecognizable. Instead, it leaned into that warm, welcoming, lived-in energy. We noticed details like the stone carriage turn-around in the front drive, and fragments of wallpaper the Sisters of St. Joseph left in their dorm-style rooms and recreated them for new visitors to enjoy.

[It’s] Like the house is saying, “Come in, let me show you everything I love.” The fact that it’s filled with contemporary art by Philly artists is my favorite part. It’s not just a historic mansion; it’s a place that keeps making space for artists, especially those living and working in Philadelphia today.
– Marie L.

While we couldn’t include everyone’s full responses, here are excerpts from the other Valentines that came our way.