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On August 4, 2026, Travelers employees came together at Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota, for an inspiring day of service, preservation, and community engagement as part of the Travelers Across America initiative dedicated to restoring and protecting historic places across the nation facing increasing weather and climate risks.

Hosted in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE (Hands-on Preservation Experience) Crew, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Oliver Kelley Farm team, the event brought more than 75 Travelers volunteers together at this remarkable site. The farm, which offers a window into 19th-century agricultural life, provided a meaningful setting for employees to connect with its history while making a tangible contribution to its future.

As states, local communities, preservation organizations, and insurance professionals work to mitigate risk at historic sites in the face of increasingly severe weather (like hail and tornadoes in the Midwest), the day showed how locally led preservation initiatives that bring community partners together can help protect America's landmarks. Volunteers got a firsthand look at the skilled trades and architectural expertise involved in designing and installing roof and window weatherization measures better suited to withstand a harsher environment and help this historic gem last into the future.

Janice Brunner, head of corporate affairs at Travelers, opened the event with a warm welcome and said, “Travelers Across America has taught us what’s possible when people with cross-sector experience and expertise come together around a shared interest in making communities more resilient. Those lessons are now informing additional partnerships and investments across the country.”

Remarks were also provided by partners and community leaders, including Kent Whitworth, director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society; Grace Arnold, Minnesota insurance commissioner; Judy Seeberger, Minnesota state senator; Milan Jordan, HOPE Crew senior director; and Seri Worden, vice president of strategic initiatives & impact, who spearheads the Travelers Across America initiative on behalf of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

As Worden said, “There’s something powerful about bringing people together at a historic place. It creates opportunities to learn from one another, share ideas, and think differently about how we can work together to make these places—and our communities—more resilient.”

Participants then toured Oliver Kelley Farm. They explored the beauty of the farmstead while learning more about its history and the ongoing work required to preserve it. The experience also offered a behind-the-scenes look at the specialized skills involved in historic preservation, with demonstrations from preservation trades practitioners, including experts in historic window restoration and masonry.

From there, the focus shifted from learning to hands-on service. Volunteers were divided into groups and worked alongside farm staff on projects that supported the continued stewardship of the site. Their work included assisting with harvesting wheat and preparing and planting fall flowers. With materials provided by HOPE Crew and Oliver Kelley Farm staff, participants rolled up their sleeves and put their time and talents to work.

The event demonstrated the power of employee volunteerism, celebrating the places that preserve and tell our shared stories. Through their energy, teamwork, and willingness to learn, Travelers employees helped care for Oliver Kelley Farm while gaining a greater appreciation for the people, craftsmanship, and history that make historic places come alive.

This week, Travelers and the National Trust brought together scientists, community leaders, business partners, and preservation experts at The Getty Center for a roundtable on advancing climate resilience in Los Angeles. Hosted by the Getty Conservation Institute and moderated by the Los Angeles Conservancy, the conversation explored how collaborative, cross-sector strategies can help communities better prepare for wildfires and other extreme weather challenges.

The gathering marked the second signature stop of the Travelers Across America initiative and was attended by National Trust president and CEO Carol Quillen and Travelers chairman and CEO Alan Schnitzer.

With support from a Travelers grant, the Charles and Ray Eames Foundation is leading a resilience project focused on landscape strengthening and wildfire adaptation at the Eames House. This work has the potential to serve as a scalable model for resilience efforts across the region and beyond.

Participants shared perspectives on reducing risk, strengthening community connections, and aligning science, design, and local leadership to build a more resilient future for Los Angeles.

The gathering created space for a powerful and productive exchange about how historic places can adapt to a changing environment and extreme weather. The ideas surfaced will directly inform the upcoming Innovation Lab in Connecticut this summer. Participants were eager to stay connected and considered the conversations just the beginning of this cross-sector partnership.

The visit to the Eames House, which narrowly escaped last year’s fires, underscored what’s at stake—and how powerful it can be when a community comes together to protect what matters.

On November 6, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helped host a dynamic roundtable discussion in New Orleans, as part of a first-of-its-kind partnership between Travelers and the National Trust, called Travelers Across America.

Launched earlier this year in celebration of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Travelers Across America is dedicated to restoring and protecting historic landmarks across the country. It includes grants that will help restore and preserve historic landmarks and support the communities that surround them. These sites will then serve as models that can be replicated elsewhere.

The first grant is to the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, which will assist with housing repairs for low- to moderate-income homeowners living within a New Orleans Historic Landmarks Commission district. Other grant recipients include the Eames House in Los Angeles; the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut; and the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota.

It was a lively and inspiring evening in New Orleans, with thoughtful conversation about what resilience really means for the city and its neighborhoods. Susan Saulny moderated a dynamic panel featuring Ron C. Henderson, Deputy Commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Insurance; Lesli Harris, City Councilmember for District B; Kristin Palmer, Executive Director of the Preservation Resource Center; and Jarrod Franklin, Founder of Franklin Construction & Design.

Panelists spoke about the resilience and determination of New Orleanians to protect their homes and strengthen their communities, the importance of working together across city and state levels, and how partnerships between business and nonprofits can make a lasting difference.

"This initiative is central to our mission, and we are grateful to Travelers for their investment in New Orleans and their dedication to protecting America’s past and fortifying its future." said Carol Quillen, president and CEO National Trust for Historic Preservation.