The clock is ticking on our chance to improve the Federal Historic Tax Credit. Despite an outpouring of advocacy, no components of HTC-GO were included in the Senate version of the tax bill. Senator Cassidy (R-LA) is working hard to convince his colleagues to include HTC improvement provisions in the bill; however, he needs the support of other Republican Senators to get positive changes to the HTC included through the amendment process.

Contact Sens. Boozman and Cotton and ask them to voice support to their colleagues for Sen. Cassidy’s efforts to improve the HTC.

Despite being fully funded by Congress, FY25 appropriated dollars for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) still haven’t been released. Because of this delay, State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) throughout the country have already laid off staff responsible for historic tax credit and Section 106 project reviews, National Register listings, and more, stalling preservation efforts. The President’s proposed FY26 budget seeks to eliminate the HPF almost entirely.

In Arkansas, the SHPO is fortunate to have supplemental funding from Real Estate Transfer Tax collections to support operations, but a permanent loss of HPF dollars will result in the elimination of the Certified Local Government program, which works with municipalities to encourage preservation at the local level and provides about $300,000 in grant funding annually. Sustained loss of HPF funding will eventually impact - and could eliminate - Arkansas's robust county courthouse and historic preservation restoration grant programs due to a reallocation of state funds to prioritize staff salaries.

State Legislative Update

During the most recent state legislative session, two bills (SB456 and HB1754) related to the regulation of exterior building design and municipal zoning were pulled off of the calendar. While they were not passed, the issues are likely to resurface in subsequent years, and we will continue to monitor them. Thank you for your advocacy!

Toward the end of the regular session, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved legislation transferring $20 million to the Major Historic Rehabilitation Trust Fund to bridge the funding gap on complex projects with game-changing potential in cities and towns throughout Arkansas. This separate state historic tax credit program is for rehabilitation projects with qualified expenses of $1.5 million or more that will create or expand businesses, attract tourists, or revitalize commercial districts and neighborhoods. Thank you to Sen. Dismang and Rep. Jean for their leadership on this bill!

Each spring, Preserve Arkansas's Advocacy Committee coordinates a sign-on letter for county judges in support of more funding for County Courthouse Restoration Grants, administered by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. This grant provides critical funding for the maintenance and restoration of historic courthouses in nearly every county in the state.

Every judge with a National Register-listed courthouse signed the letter this year, and thanks to their support, we are pleased to share that AHPP will award $3.75 million in FY26 courthouse restoration grants.

Nominations are now open and will be accepted through August 31st for our 2025 Arkansas Preservation Awards. Awards recognize outstanding preservation achievements, people who make a difference in their communities, and projects that inspire others to protect Arkansas's historic places.

Click here to learn more and nominate.

This year, Arkansas is hosting Destination Downtown, the annual tri-state Main Street conference, September 10-12 in El Dorado. Preserve Arkansas will offer our own preservation education track as part of the conference, and you're invited to attend!

Click here to learn more about the conference and preservation track sessions.

Our next Women in Preservation webinar will be on Tuesday, July 8 at 3:30 p.m. with Mary Bindas, who worked as the Building Preservation Specialist at the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training in the Buildings and Landscapes Program. She also owns Re-Lite Restoration, LLC, where she specializes in wood window restoration and consulting. Mary is currently transitioning back to the Metro Detroit area from Louisiana, where she will continue her preservation work.

>> Click here to register for Mary’s talk.

Watch previous Women in Preservation talks on our YouTube channel here.

Witsell Endowment Funds Workshop and Scholarship

Preserve Arkansas's Becky and Charles Witsell Endowment for Preservation Education and Training funds education and training opportunities for members of Preserve Arkansas who contribute to preservation efforts in the state.

The Witsell Endowment recently supported a Timber-Framing Workshop at the Colburn Barn, owned by Historic Cane Hill. The workshop was hosted in cooperation with the Heartwood School and national Timber Framers Guild. The endowment also provided a scholarship to Katherine Nash, Technical Services and Easement Coordinator at the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, to attend a stained glass restoration workshop at the Belvedere School in Hannibal, MO.

Learn more about the Witsell Endowment and apply for funding here.

During the Destination Downtown conference at El Dorado, we will host our 2025 Membership Meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12 at the historic First Presbyterian Church. The meeting will begin with breakfast and networking time, followed by a brief business meeting and annual report.

We will also announce our much-anticipated 2025 list of Arkansas's Most Endangered Places.

This meeting is open to Preserve Arkansas members; memberships may be purchased on-site or on our website.

Preservation Stories: The Latimore Tourist Home

Russellville's Latimore Tourist Home — the only remaining Green Book-listed accommodation between North Little Rock and Fort Smith and one of only a handful of listed properties still standing in Arkansas — is experiencing a renaissance thanks to the hard work of a diverse group of dedicated citizens.

Read about the Latimore Tourist home, past and future, here.

May is National Historic Preservation Month *and* Arkansas Heritage Month, and we like to celebrate both with our annual Preservation Crustaceans crawfish boil. This year was another event to remember, held at the offices of Clements & Associates Architecture in North Little Rock's Argenta Historic District with live music from The Feral Roots. Thank you again to our hosts, sponsors, cooks, and volunteers!

Click here to view photo highlights from the evening.