Join the National Register of Historic Places in celebrating Preservation Month!

Established in 1971 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the event is co-sponsored by local preservation groups, State historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country. During Preservation Month, many events are planned to promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, promoting heritage tourism, and showing the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. Thousands of people participate annually in Preservation Month celebrations. Visit your State Historic Preservation Office Web site for a list of activities in your area.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. Many Preserve America Communities are highlighted in the National Register of Historic Places' Discover Our Shared Heritage travel itinerary series.

Lighting the Way Through New York Bay
As maritime traffic and shipping increased during the 19th century, the number of shipwrecks also rose.  In response to the losses of lives and cargo, the federal government began to build lighthouses, fog horns, and other structures to warn mariners of obstacles and hazards and to help them find safe harbors.  Learn the Navesink and Robbins Reef Lighthouses in New York.

Robbins Reef Lighthouse
(U.S. Coast Guard)
New Philadelphia A Multiracial Town on the Illinois Frontier New Philadelphia was the first town platted and registered by an African American before the American Civil War. A formerly enslaved man called "Free Frank" McWorter founded New Philadelphia in 1836 as a money-making venture to buy his family out of slavery.

(Aerial photo by Tommy Hailey using powered parachute funded by The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, National Park Service)