Welcome to a New Year of Possibility
We begin 2026 with historic preservation in the national spotlight, sparking important conversations about what preservation is, and what it can be. Too often misunderstood as resistance to change, preservation is, at its heart, about possibility. That spirit is reflected in our newly expanded weekly newsletter (you can sign up here), which will explore and highlight how historic places continue to shape and strengthen our shared future.
This year, the National Trust—along with the rest of the nation—will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This semiquincentennial is an occasion for all Americans to reflect on our highest ideals: freedom, equality, government by the people, unalienable rights, and a civic identity grounded in an ongoing work of building a more perfect union. For generations, these ideals have inspired people to turn principle into practice and promise into progress.
Historic places—the sites where our history happened—allow us to connect not only with our nation’s high aspirations, but also to the people who have fought to make them real. Places have the power to remind us that the American experiment has always depended on us: citizens who dream, gather, debate, and work together in pursuit of a shared future.
Throughout 2026, we will be highlighting people and places that foster civic connection, showcasing communities across the country that are putting preservation to work—creating affordable housing, supporting local businesses, revitalizing Main Streets, and bringing people together. In small towns, across sacred landscapes, and at historic sites nationwide, places are being honored and reimagined as vibrant centers of opportunity.
Thank you for your partnership, your support, and your commitment to this work. Together, we can show how preservation creates progress and ensure that it continues to serve communities in meaningful and lasting ways.
— Carol Quillen, President & CEO
