The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) supports California Tribes and their Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) to preserve, celebrate, and commemorate their cultural heritage and tribal cultural resources throughout the state.

There are many resources available from state and federal agencies to learn about, understand, and appreciate Native American Heritage. The Native American Heritage Commission website provides numerous informational and educational options to explore. On the OHP website, you can read about the experience of California Tribes during the establishment of the Missions in California directly from their stories and words. The California Natural Resources Agency hosts in-person and virtual events throughout the month. The California Legislative Native American Caucus is hosting the Inaugural National Native American Heritage Month Parade. The National Park Service offers virtual resources to celebrate and educate throughout the year. The Library of Congress hosts the Native American Heritage Month 2024 website, in coordination with several other federal agencies, to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

Upcoming Webinar

Join the California Natural Resources Agency for an informative webinar to guide you through applying for and securing a position with the State of California.

Register here to join:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nQGwRT4kTFGXv8ebSIzKhA

National Preservation Awards

Nominations are now open for the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2025 National Preservation Awards. Five award categories honor "inspirational projects, individuals, and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in the field of preservation." The list of 2024 Awardees and video highlights of previous years' winners can be found on the National Preservation Awards website.

Award nomination deadline: January 10, 2025.

Grant Opportunities

The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is accepting applications for the California Maritime Heritage Grants Program to assist with and promote the active preservation and use of California's irreplaceable maritime heritage properties. The primary objectives of this grant program are to: 1) Assist in the preservation of resources related to California’s maritime heritage that are historically under-represented and/or are of statewide or national importance; and 2) Provide increased opportunities for the general public to visit and learn about historic properties related to maritime history.

The application deadline is 5:00 pm Tuesday, November 12, 2024

The National Park Service is accepting applications for two grant programs that help preserve and interpret United States sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. The deadline to apply for the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant and the Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education (JACE) Grants is November 14. The Notices of Funding Opportunities outlining the grant application and selection process for both grants are available online at grants.gov 

California Humanities Grant Programs (California Humanities) support a variety of efforts by nonprofits and public agencies to preserve and educate about California's richly diverse heritage. There are upcoming deadlines through February 2025 for a variety of grant programs.

Save America's Treasures Grants - Historic Preservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service) provides preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. For collections, the program supports museums, libraries, archives, and all other collecting institutions in addressing the conservation needs of nationally significant collections, including physical conservation, curation, care, and collections management.

Application Deadline: 11:59 pm ET, December 12th, 2024

In 1986, the Northern California Indian Development Council (NCIDC), a private non-profit youth educational program, purchased the building and committed to a multi-year renovation and restoration effort. The Carson Block Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 as a contributor to Eureka's "Old Town" Historic District.

After years of planning and fundraising, the building was restored through various funding sources, including a community development fund and the federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. The building's exterior finishes were restored, windows were repaired, and the previously removed turret was reconstructed. In addition, the building received a complete seismic upgrade.

In 2017, the Carson Block Building received the California Preservation Foundation Design Award and the California Governor's Historic Preservation Award. The NCIDC still owns and operates the building.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC) is November 7, 2024. The SHRC meets quarterly each year. Commission meetings are open to the public and live-streamed through the Cal-Span network. Meeting 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.

AIA California 2024 Awards Ceremony

The American Institute of Architects California will host its second annual AIA California Awards Celebration, on November 15, 2024, from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Woodbury University, Burbank, CA. This year’s ceremony promises to be an extraordinary evening, with opportunities for students and professionals alike to gain insights into the latest trends and exceptional achievements in architecture.

Career Opportunity at ACHP

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is recruiting for a director of its Office of Communications, Education, and Outreach (OCEO)(GG15). The director is an important member of the ACHP’s senior management team responsible for identifying and carrying out the ACHP’s communications needs under the oversight of the executive director.

More information about the position and application process can be found on USAJobs at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/815205400.

California Preservation Foundation

Legacy Business Programs: Strategies, Challenges, and Success Stories

This program offers a deep dive into the value of Legacy Businesses, examines successful program models from across the state, and provides actionable suggestions for developing effective Legacy Business Programs. This program is ideal for community planners, local government officials, business owners, and anyone interested in preserving and supporting Legacy Businesses. 

This virtual event takes place November 19, 2024, 10 AM -12:30 PM

Learning Opportunities from the TPS

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 offering guidance and how-to knowledge on a broad range of preservation topics and applications.

TPS Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plan Available

National Park Service Technical Preservation Services published its annual guidance, training, and outreach work plan and invites the public to submit comments and suggestions for current and future work plans.

Comments and suggestions may be submitted to TPS at any time at NPS_TPS@nps.gov. TPS will use them to help identify, prioritize, and develop possible new guidance, training, and other information for current and future work plans.