California Archeology Month

Archeologists play an important role within several state agencies in California. At the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP), they work as part of the Archaeology & Environmental Compliance Unit. The Unit supports the State Historic Preservation Officer's review of federal and state development projects for compliance with historic preservation laws, statutes, and regulations. They work alongside OHP historians to help ensure places of cultural and historical significance in California are considered and protected during these proposed federal and state development and land management projects.

Below, members of the Archaeology & Environmental Compliance Unit share what drew them to archeology.

Why Archeology?

A common theme in the decision to pursue archeology was the interest in learning about and preserving cultures.

"As a descendant with a cultural connection to the Maya of Mexico and Central America, I became an archaeologist not only to honor that connection but also to ensure cultural histories are preserved with respect and meaning. This commitment extends beyond my own cultural heritage to include the cultural contexts of other descendant communities as well."

Alvin Rosa-Figueroa, Associate State Archeologist

What do you enjoy about the work?

"I enjoy hearing from the people of California about what the rich culture and history of our state means to them and working with them to preserve it so that future generations can reflect on where they come from."

Brendon Greenaway, Senior State Archeologist

Advice for Future Archeologists

"...always be mindful that first and foremost, the work archaeologists do should be in service to the living communities that descend from the places that we study and that the research questions that we ask should be relevant and meaningful to them."

Brendon Greenaway, Senior State Archeologist

"Stay curious and keep learning but also remember that archaeology isn’t just about artifacts, archaeology is also about living heritage. Indigenous and community-based archaeology engages not only with the material past but also with the represented voices of the land, wherever that may be. Listening to and actively participating with descendant communities fosters respect for cultural traditions. Seek out mentors beyond the classroom who value both scientific rigor and cultural sensitivity."

Alvin Rosa-Figueroa, Associate State Archeologist

This month, there are several ways to celebrate and learn more about this exciting field!

Society for California Archaeology

Archaeological Institute of America

The Register of Professional Archaeologists

Please visit the CalHR website to learn more about the State Archeologist Series.

Designating California

Completed Federal Tax Credit Projects



During the 2025 federal fiscal year, the National Park Service (NPS) approved the applications of eleven Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive projects within California. The program provides a 20% federal income tax credit for the qualified costs incurred by the rehabilitation of certified historic structures -- properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Office of Historic Preservation's Architectural Review Unit works in partnership with the NPS to provide consultation and architectural review based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The California Office of Historic Preservation's Registration Unit reviews property nominations to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a requirement of being a certified project.

Since 2019, the NPS has approved 49 historic rehabilitation projects in California. The NPS estimates between fiscal years 2019 and 2025:

• Over 1,800 housing units rehabilitated, of which 1,000 were new housing units created through adaptive reuse
• 11,907 jobs created
• $59.8 million in state and local tax revenue generated

Additionally, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse prevented the demolition of historic buildings and reduced construction waste added to landfills.

This year's approved projects included the restoration of historic hotels, the conversion of two YMCAs, and six housing-related rehabilitation or reuse projects, adding 480 housing units. Over $560 million was spent on total rehabilitation costs in California.

Visit Certified California Tax Incentive Projects to see past completed projects.

State Historical Resources Commission Meeting

November 7, 2025

The next regularly scheduled State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC) meeting is November 7, 2025 at the California Natural Resources Agency Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA at 10 AM. The SHRC meets quarterly each year. Commission meetings are open to the public and live-streamed through the Cal-Span network. Meeting and workshop dates, times, and agendas are posted on the SHRC Meeting Schedule and Notices page of the OHP website.

For upcoming nominations, visit the Pending Nominations page. Nominations already heard by the Commission are listed on the Actions Taken page, and video recordings of SHRC meetings are posted to Meeting Recordings & Summaries.

California Main Street 2025 Conference

Commercial district revitalization professionals and community stakeholders are invited to attend this dynamic three-day event in San Luis Obispo, October 15-17. Visit the conference webpage for registration information and the agenda.

California Garden and Landscape History Society Annual Conference

The California Garden and Landscape History Society will gather in Palo Alto, October 24-26, for its annual conference. This year's proceedings will explore the landscapes that generated the town as a technological hub, from the Olmsted-era quad on Stanford University's campus to a mid-century office park that continues to influence the region. Read more at cglhs.org. Early bird registration is open; space is limited.

National Park Service

The National Park Service has issued new additional information that supplements the Historic Preservation Certification Application instructions for Part 1 application documentation requirements for requests for preliminary determinations of significance.

This additional information is intended to simplify submission requirements and the amount of documentation required for properties not already listed in the National Register of Historic Places participating in the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program.  

The Technical Preservation Services (TPS) division of the National Park Service offers a series of free online trainings on a variety of topics, including Sustainability Guidelines, Rehabilitation Guidelines, Incentives, Local Historic Districts, and more. TPS also offers an extensive series of publications that provide guidance and how-to on a broad range of preservation topics and applications. 

California Preservation Foundation

Visit the upcoming events calendar to find workshops and webinars for preservationists, architects, planners, and anyone else interested in learning more about preservation issues.

California Grants Portal

Hosted by the California State Library, this is a one-stop portal for searching for grants and loans offered by state agencies.

"Ready—Or Not”: Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project

Funded by the California State Library, this free in-person workshop will introduce key disaster recovery concepts, including risk assessment, preparedness, response procedures, and recovery actions. 

These workshops are open to individuals in California associated with cultural heritage organizations, such as libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies; government departments; state historic parks; cultural centers; tribal nations; county clerks; and others who work with historic and cultural resources. Click the link below for more details on dates and locations.

Advance registration is required.

National Trust for Historic Preservation 

Articles

• 2025 “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” Grantees
• 9 Podcasts for Preservationists

HistoriCorps Volunteer Opportunities

HistoriCorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides volunteers of all skill levels with hands-on experience preserving historic structures on public lands across America. Volunteers work with HistoriCorps field staff to learn preservation skills and put those skills to work saving historic places that have fallen into disrepair. HistoriCorps works to ensure America’s cultural and historical resources exist for generations to come.

• Hunter's Cabin, CA, October 5-10
• Jan's Place, CA, October 12-17
• Mendocino Woodlands State Park, CA, October 19-24, October 26-31, and November 2-7
• Keys Ranch Teacher's House, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, October 19-24, October 26-31, November 2-7, and November 9-14

The National Endowment for the Humanities is accepting applications for several grants throughout the year:

• National Digital Newspaper Program - This is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress (LC) to create a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963.
  Deadline: 1/15/26

National Preservation Institute

The National Preservation Institute offers a variety of in-person, on-demand courses and webinars addressing historic preservation and cultural resource management.

Grant Recipients Announced



Founders Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles has been named a recipient of the 2025 National Trust for Historic Preservation's Conserving Black Modernism grant. The grant, part of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, awarded $3 million to 24 sites nationwide.

More information about the Founders Church of Religious Science and a list of other grant recipients can be found on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website.