03/26/2026
Nominations for Preservation at Its Best awards from Preservation Iowa are due in one week on April 1! A wide variety of categories are included in these statewide awards in Iowa for projects that were completed between January 2025 and April 2026. Categories related to people and organizations who made an impact on preservation may relate to this period or earlier. Self nominations are accepted and encouraged! Follow the link below for additional information.
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Nominations for the Preservation at Its Best Awards are accepted across a range of categories that reflect the diverse ways Iowa’s historic resources are preserved and celebrated. From rehabilitation to rural preservation, sustainability, and community-driven efforts, each category recognizes projects, individuals, or organizations that demonstrate excellence, creativity, and a lasting impact on Iowa’s architectural and cultural heritage. These categories ensure that all forms of preservation work – whether a restored home, a revitalized downtown building, a key individual, a historic preservation commission, or a storytelling project that promotes Iowa’s history – receive the recognition that they deserve.
Residential Rehabilitation (Single/Multi-Family) – Rehabilitation and continued use of single-family homes as well as multi-family residences.
Commercial Rehabilitation (Small and Large) – Rehabilitation of a historic commercial building. Nominations accepted in two categories: small (under 5,000 total sq) and large (5,000 or more total sq).
Adaptive Reuse – Conversion of a historic structure for a new or compatible use while retaining its architectural integrity. This category includes any mixed-use project.
Public/Non-Profit Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation of a publicly/government/non-profit owned building.
Maurice Losey Sacred Place – Rehabilitation/restoration/reuse of a sacred site, ground, space, place of religious assembly, such as a church, synagogue, mosque, or other related property.
Rural Preservation – Preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of the Iowa rural landscape, heritage, or built environment.
Sustainability in Preservation – Incorporation of sustainable practices into the rehabilitation of a historic building. The project does not need to be LEED certified, but should demonstrate how it illustrates sustainable practices.
Special Projects – Films, Books, Websites, Podcasts, Plays, etc. that tell Iowa’s stories and promote the preservation of Iowa’s historic resources.
Community Effort Award – A community’s concerted effort to preserve, protect, and/or promote a historic building, structure, district, site, or cultural resource.
Martha Hayes Preservationist of the Year Award – Individual or group that has championed historic preservation planning, policy, or activities in Iowa.
Paula Mohr Certified Local Government of the Year Award – Honors invaluable contributions by an individual or organization to Iowa’s CLG Program and to historic preservation locally, statewide, regionally, and nationally.
https://preservationiowa.org/programs/preservation-at-its-best-awards/nominate-a-property/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQyVmNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6MFUzTlZqVWM2NUdWNHVTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHs-_d-1GdPNjMFdZeQpYnpnw6-rVLXCBQKLx2Vlhhp4IOfrfWT6tpfETavb4_aem_4trh9A8v1BTt7bkbfjCwTg
Discover the nomination categories for Preservation Iowa’s Preservation at Its Best Awards, recognizing excellence in residential and commercial rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, rural preservation, and community-driven historic efforts.
